PH3050 vs Ir 118max?

[jrlp]

Well, I'm in need of an air hammer, and have read probably 80+ threads on this forum in regards to the PH3050. I was almost sold on it, when I came across the IR 118max. It's quite a bit bigger, 1.6" longer than the SO, and 1/2" longer stroke as well. They both have the same BPM.

The 118 is a lot cheaper, tooltopia has it for around ~125 for the kit with blow case and 5 chisels. I'm sure the chisels are useless, and I was planning on buying a few Old Forge goodies to go with it.

Is it possible IR's new hammer is beefier than the SO? I plan on using it for panel ripping, bolt shearing, balljoints and suspension bushings on everything from mid 60's cars to 1ton and a few medium duty trucks, driving pins on small hydraulic cylinders, etc...

The first use I have for it is shearing lots of sheet metal and a few hundred bolts keeping my totalled '97 12v cummins together so I can get the body/bed off the frame to get the drivetrain out. I plan on using it a few times a week. I realize the 3050 is the standard all other .401" hammers are judged by, but on paper the IR looks to be real nice.

For the lazy:
PH3050
IR 118 Max

Any input on the matter?

 

[jeep450]

I've sold several of the 118's and my customers are very pleased with them. Bits are so so with the kit.

 

[oilslick]

Do what you want, but I bought three before going 3050 and wasted a lot of time and money! Co workers have other brands and head to head I can do what they cannot, it is that simple to explain. I offered my tool man 175 cash for hammer only,since I had couplers and plenty of chisels,haven't looked back since.

 

[enrare]

oilslick, can you give more details on reason for going with the PH3050? What was wrong with the three IR 118max hammers, they broke, didn't have enough power???? I'm in the market for an air hammer and narrowed it down to the PH3050B or the IR 118Max. I posted a very similar thread awhile back and the general response was get the PH3050 and don't look back, but I do not think the recommendations was after a head to head comparision between the Snap on and IR hammers. I did get a PM from a member who had both and he prefered / recommended the IR.

Do what you want, but I bought three before going 3050 and wasted a lot of time and money! Co workers have other brands and head to head I can do what they cannot, it is that simple to explain. I offered my tool man 175 cash for hammer only,since I had couplers and plenty of chisels,haven't looked back since.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have no idea what the 118 is like, but I had the 117 and 121 (IIRC) IRs before I finally gave in and bought the 3050. I own just about every brand of tool, and acknowledge that no brand has everything that is the "best", but that damn air hammer HITS.....and to top it off, there is VERY little recoil.

Unless IR hit a home run with the 118, NOTHING in the .401 size touches the SO

 

[transittech]

I ran into the same thing a couple years ago. The biggest problem I had was nobody would say how heavy the "hammer" was. They talk about stroke and sometimes bore, and about how smooth they are, but never about how heavy the hammer part is.

 

[jeep450]

Do what you want, but I bought three before going 3050 and wasted a lot of time and money! Co workers have other brands and head to head I can do what they cannot, it is that simple to explain. I offered my tool man 175 cash for hammer only,since I had couplers and plenty of chisels,haven't looked back since.

You bought 3 118max hammers?

 

[jrlp]

I think he meant he has tried 3 different air hammers with similar specs to the 3050, but all failed to have enough power until he bought the 3050.

I'm a firm believer in you buy something once. But ~$300 is a lot of money for an air hammer, when the difference between the 118 + Old Forge chisels is about half what the bare tool goes for, if the performance is close to equal.

I was just hoping someone had experience with both..

 

[mopar01]

I have the 118 max and it is an awsum air hammer. Two other guys at the shop have the 3050 and mine is right up there with them. Save the money. Go with the ir. Btw the chisels. Suckk. Had to buy mac cuz the snap on guy would cry a f-ing river if he had to replace one if it broke.

 

[jrlp]

Such a hard decision, I'd hate to waste money... anyone else have any experience with the 118?

 

[IRtoolsguy]

Well, I'm in need of an air hammer, and have read probably 80+ threads on this forum in regards to the PH3050. I was almost sold on it, when I came across the IR 118max. It's quite a bit bigger, 1.6" longer than the SO, and 1/2" longer stroke as well. They both have the same BPM.

The 118 is a lot cheaper, tooltopia has it for around ~125 for the kit with blow case and 5 chisels. I'm sure the chisels are useless, and I was planning on buying a few Old Forge goodies to go with it.

Is it possible IR's new hammer is beefier than the SO? I plan on using it for panel ripping, bolt shearing, balljoints and suspension bushings on everything from mid 60's cars to 1ton and a few medium duty trucks, driving pins on small hydraulic cylinders, etc...

The first use I have for it is shearing lots of sheet metal and a few hundred bolts keeping my totalled '97 12v cummins together so I can get the body/bed off the frame to get the drivetrain out. I plan on using it a few times a week. I realize the 3050 is the standard all other .401" hammers are judged by, but on paper the IR looks to be real nice.

For the lazy:
PH3050
IR 118 Max

Any input on the matter?

You can see the 118Max & 122Max in action here:

 

[RKA]

^^^ nothing more than an IR sales pitch will little useful info. Video wasn't worth the click.

(I have a 122, unfortunately I don't have anything to compare it to except a busted HF hammer which really isn't fair)

 

[jrlp]

You can see the 118Max & 122Max in action here:

I did not see any action in that video, but thank you for the link.

After mulling it over, I decided I can't risk it not doing everything I need it to. So, hopefully this EBay person will accept my offer, and I'll have the 3050 in for some suspension and chassis work I have scheduled for Friday-Saturday.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'll be sure to post a few videos / pictures of what the 3050 can and cannot do, so others will have a better idea.

 

[KinzeMech]

I bought a PH3050B this spring, and have been quite impressed with it. I've found very few things it would not move. There are two other hammers in the shop, both napa (but different models). At the current rate, it's on track to be my toolbox MVP for 2012.