Xracer1971
Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2016
- Messages
- 9
Has anyone tried the new chief air hammer from hf?
Thanks!
Thanks!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
HF Chief air hammer
- Thread starter Xracer1971
- Start date
metaleltr
Well-known member
No but it looks like it hit a little faster and with a longer stroke than sunex SX243. Might be worth a try, Certainly seems like they have sourced better manufacturing for their higher priced options.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Looking at the specs, it probably is pretty good. 4" is a very good stroke. 2800 bpm is a little high. Generally the lower the BPM, the better, closer to 2000 the better. With no experience with it, I'm going to figure it hits well with that stroke.
I bought one a month ago. It hits HARD. Better than my old IR. It is made in Taiwan so I took a chance because a lot of the IR lineup is Chinese. Time will tell if it holds up as long as my old IR. I don't baby my tools, they are used in a heavy equipment/hydraulic repair shop daily.
Old thread but I figured it would be better to bump this old (short) thread than to start a new one.
I just bought the new Chief air hammer (the larger one of the two) and as mentioned in this thread, with it's 4 inch stroke it should hit fairly hard. I bought it to punch through some frame rivets, which it should easily do. When I brought it home I briefly tested it against a piece of hard wood oak dunnage and it seemed to hit very hard. The tool itself is very high quality looking and feeling. The finish on the metal body is very nice. Nothing about this tool gives the feeling of "cheap import". Once I use the tool for it's intended purpose, I will report back here with my findings. (next few days, give or take)
I'm wondering how it will compare to Astro Pneumatic's 4980 "Big Nasty"? The HF Chief air hammer appears to have a longer stroke than Big Nasty but I realize that isn't the only factor when comparing air hammers. I don't own Big Nasty but if the HF hammer even comes close to it's performance then I'll be happy with it. I paid $95 (after 20% off coupon) so that is a great deal compared to AP's Big Nasty which retails for $265 (as of today) on Amazon.
For those who may not know which tool we're talking about here is the link:
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...rofessional-long-barrel-air-hammer-56524.html
Has anyone else used this tool? If so, how did it work for you?
.
I just bought the new Chief air hammer (the larger one of the two) and as mentioned in this thread, with it's 4 inch stroke it should hit fairly hard. I bought it to punch through some frame rivets, which it should easily do. When I brought it home I briefly tested it against a piece of hard wood oak dunnage and it seemed to hit very hard. The tool itself is very high quality looking and feeling. The finish on the metal body is very nice. Nothing about this tool gives the feeling of "cheap import". Once I use the tool for it's intended purpose, I will report back here with my findings. (next few days, give or take)
I'm wondering how it will compare to Astro Pneumatic's 4980 "Big Nasty"? The HF Chief air hammer appears to have a longer stroke than Big Nasty but I realize that isn't the only factor when comparing air hammers. I don't own Big Nasty but if the HF hammer even comes close to it's performance then I'll be happy with it. I paid $95 (after 20% off coupon) so that is a great deal compared to AP's Big Nasty which retails for $265 (as of today) on Amazon.
For those who may not know which tool we're talking about here is the link:
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...rofessional-long-barrel-air-hammer-56524.html
Has anyone else used this tool? If so, how did it work for you?
.
bwringer
Well-known member
Observing with interest.
I have a feeling that one day I'm going to crawl out from under a car, red-faced, sweaty, and filthy, clean up a bit, and head straight to Harbor Freight for one of these.
I have a feeling that one day I'm going to crawl out from under a car, red-faced, sweaty, and filthy, clean up a bit, and head straight to Harbor Freight for one of these.
Eric29
Well-known member
The Astro Big Nasty takes a .498 shank. This HF takes a .401, the same size as most air hammers.
I’m not sure what the difference in shank diameter might make with respect to how hard the HF hits but the Astro sure hits really hard. I haven’t been disappointed with it.
I’m not sure what the difference in shank diameter might make with respect to how hard the HF hits but the Astro sure hits really hard. I haven’t been disappointed with it.
The Astro Big Nasty takes a .498 shank. This HF takes a .401, the same size as most air hammers.
I’m not sure what the difference in shank diameter might make with respect to how hard the HF hits but the Astro sure hits really hard. I haven’t been disappointed with it.
Eric29 from Western NY..... are you the same Eric from SMA on youtube?
Yes, I do realize the Big Nasty takes a larger diameter bit (.097 larger) but that isn't really much of a physical difference. (About 20 human hairs, depending on their color. Lol) But I do agree that it CAN make a difference. Every little bit can add up to a big difference.
Im dreading the repair job that I bought this tool for, BUT I'm looking forward to using a new tool.
I will keep this thread pisted.
Yes, I do realize the Big Nasty takes a larger diameter bit (.097 larger) but that isn't really much of a physical difference. (About 20 human hairs, depending on their color. Lol) But I do agree that it CAN make a difference. Every little bit can add up to a big difference.
You're thinking about it in terms of OD across a tape measure. Mass is what matters for percussion and .498 bits are usually about 30-40% heavier than their .401 counterparts and in terms of area of the shank its roughly 55% larger. So you get a heavier bit and larger face for the hammer piston to ram into.
Super Mech
Well-known member
Eric29 from Western NY..... are you the same Eric from SMA on youtube?
Yes, I do realize the Big Nasty takes a larger diameter bit (.097 larger) but that isn't really much of a physical difference. (About 20 human hairs, depending on their color. Lol) But I do agree that it CAN make a difference. Every little bit can add up to a big difference.
Im dreading the repair job that I bought this tool for, BUT I'm looking forward to using a new tool.
I will keep this thread pisted.
There is NO substitute for a .498 gun. I’m sure this gun is decent and hits pretty hard but I have both a Snap On PH3050A and a CP 717 gun. The CP is a long barrel.498 gun and makes my Snap On look like a tack hammer.
As Mrs. Super Mech says “mass and stroke length make a good hammer” Lol.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
There is NO substitute for a .498 gun. I’m sure this gun is decent and hits pretty hard but I have both a Snap On PH3050A and a CP 717 gun. The CP is a long barrel.498 gun and makes my Snap On look like a tack hammer.
As Mrs. Super Mech says “mass and stroke length make a good hammer” Lol.
Agreed, .498 is a totally different animal. I still run into things where big nasty can struggle, but it isnt common. Usually a torch plus big nasty gets things moving.
is a lot of good .401 taiwan long stroke air hammers on the market, most of them equal or better to the tool trucks and well known US air tool brands .
I bought one cheap in stock clearance for 65 bucks and it better than anything snapon got . Has a power control too which handy throttle it more than can just buy the trigger which saves marking or breaking stuff in more delicate use scenarios .
Most of them based off IR and got to stage where some of them improvement in design .
The astro .401 and .498 started off as design clones from IR, some of impact wrenches they got you can swap parts to the IR Impact .
I bought one cheap in stock clearance for 65 bucks and it better than anything snapon got . Has a power control too which handy throttle it more than can just buy the trigger which saves marking or breaking stuff in more delicate use scenarios .
Most of them based off IR and got to stage where some of them improvement in design .
The astro .401 and .498 started off as design clones from IR, some of impact wrenches they got you can swap parts to the IR Impact .
Agreed, .498 is a totally different animal. I still run into things where big nasty can struggle, but it isnt common. Usually a torch plus big nasty gets things moving.
Absolutely correct. The sad problem is if you want to use the full stable of convenience tools (like the fan clutch wrenches or the ‘shake and bake’) then you need a big nasty as well as a .401 shank hammer.
Just like needing a full set of both 1/2” and 3/8” drive impacts and sockets.
Super Mech
Well-known member
Absolutely correct. The sad problem is if you want to use the full stable of convenience tools (like the fan clutch wrenches or the ‘shake and bake’) then you need a big nasty as well as a .401 shank hammer.
Just like needing a full set of both 1/2” and 3/8” drive impacts and sockets.
Agreed. Both sizes have their place in the shop. I use both. Sometimes the .498 is too aggressive for some jobs.
Eric29
Well-known member
Not the same Eric.
Eric29 from Western NY..... are you the same Eric from SMA on youtube?
Yes, I do realize the Big Nasty takes a larger diameter bit (.097 larger) but that isn't really much of a physical difference. (About 20 human hairs, depending on their color. Lol) But I do agree that it CAN make a difference. Every little bit can add up to a big difference.
Im dreading the repair job that I bought this tool for, BUT I'm looking forward to using a new tool.
I will keep this thread pisted.
I just finished using the new HF air hammer. I am impressed. I have only owned ****** cheap air hammers in the past and this one is by far the the best one that I have ever used. I am not saying it's as good as the .498 Big Nasty (because I don't have one to compare with) but it EASILY handled the job that I bought it for. It earned a spot in my air tool drawer. I'm sure it will come in handy for many more jobs in the future.
Final verdict: I have nothing to complain about. It hits very hard, it's well made, It's made in Taiwan, (not China) and it's priced fairly. It's a keeper....
Final verdict: I have nothing to complain about. It hits very hard, it's well made, It's made in Taiwan, (not China) and it's priced fairly. It's a keeper....
Super Mech
Well-known member
I just finished using the new HF air hammer. I am impressed. I have only owned ****** cheap air hammers in the past and this one is by far the the best one that I have ever used. I am not saying it's as good as the .498 Big Nasty (because I don't have one to compare with) but it EASILY handled the job that I bought it for. It earned a spot in my air tool drawer. I'm sure it will come in handy for many more jobs in the future.
Final verdict: I have nothing to complain about. It hits very hard, it's well made, It's made in Taiwan, (not China) and it's priced fairly. It's a keeper....
You can’t go wrong with that. When you get a decently made tool that does it’s intended job at a good price it’s a win-win situation. Always makes me feel good when that happens to me.