Recommend me a decent, but not too expensive air hammer/ chisel setup

[Lt CHEG]

I think I might finally have to give in. I'm replacing the parking brake cables on my 1997 F350 Powerstroke project truck and I cannot for the life of me get this one bracket off. It is a bracket on the frame that holds the brake cables in place just forward of the rear axle. I've tried tons of PB Blaster, I've tried hammering sockets on there, I've even tried a hammer and chisel to try and turn the bolt loose, but it will just not come loose. There isn't enough room for me to get a cutoff tool or die grinder in there. I can't really fit a hacksaw in there, and the bolt is just too rusted and deformed for me to even think about trying to get it undone with an impact.

So I'm forced to concede that it might be time for me to look at an air chisel. This would not be something that I would use much, and don't want to spend a bunch of money on. I was able to justify the cost of a Snap On MG725 impact because one of my toys is a new holland tractor and some of the implements use big fasteners so I wanted a 1/2" gun that was powerful enough to turn some 3/4" drive impacts. However, this is the first fastener that I've had to admit defeat on and have gone for a long time without an air chisel so I can't justify top of the line for this purchase. At my current garage I'm limited to my Kobalt 25 or 30 gallon (can't remember which) belt driven compressor (the one that went on clearance last year) so I can't go with anything that's too much of an air hog anyway. I don't mind paying more than Harbor Freight prices, but I just don't want to spend Truck Brand money. Maybe $50 to $75, maybe as much as $100? What are some suggestions? I'd probably like to be able to buy it or at least handle it in person if possible, but I have not totally ruled out an online vendor. Are the IR hammers and chisels in the $50 range at TSC any good? I'm not a pro, just like to tinker and have a pretty good selection of stuff and I'm sure I'd get more than one use out of this purchase but I don't want to go all in either. Thanks in advance.

 

[kornjulio]

Problem is, once you get one you'll find more uses for it than you initially thought. Having said that, I have the IR gun that came with several chisels. Think it was around $100....

 

[RKSpeed]

I have the $50 Ingersoll Rand 114GQC kit that you can get at Advance Auto( probably the same at TSC, EDGE series?). I bought this because I needed to buy my brother a birthday gift and Advance was running a deal for so much off $100. Anyways, I bought this for a backup hammer. I have tried it out and it is a medium duty hammer, not a ton of power but it would do a fair amount of jobs. The bits that come with it are pretty soft too, but aren't bad. It would probably take that bracket off just fine.

 

[nexum1919]

I'd recommend the IR 114GQC
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200342899_200342899

a quick coupler is a must indeed.

 

[greasemonkey44]

ive got an ir 121, you can get them off ebay for 50 -100$
that and some good chisels should get you going
(its a very good air hammer for the money, strong as a mule)

 

[RECox286]

Don't under-rate the HF air tools. For ocassional use they are as good

as many of the better known "name brands". I have quite a few of

their air tools, and only have had a problem with the 1/2" impact.

Everything else measures up to my expectations.

Uncle Bob

 

[vfr-rider]

Stay away from CP. I had to swap one for a customer after having it for a week. Then, the piece I swapped him doesn't even make it a day. He went with IR and hasn't had any more problems.

Sent from my PG41200 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bgott]

I used **** impact hammers for years because I didn't use them much so I didn't want to spend money on a good one. Then one day Snappy offered to split up a package and I got a deal on a PH3050A. Man, that's a hammer! It actually does something when you pull the trigger! And I haven't had to screw the barrel back on it to use it yet! Get a good one, you'll be a lot happier.

 

[Mmfh]

The one I have is expensive new but its very good quality. If you can find a used Sioux setup you will be very happy and not have to deal with it not working as it should.

Usually comes in a metal gray box that has all of the bits in nice holders inside.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have the $50 Ingersoll Rand 114GQC kit that you can get at Advance Auto( probably the same at TSC, EDGE series?). I bought this because I needed to buy my brother a birthday gift and Advance was running a deal for so much off $100. Anyways, I bought this for a backup hammer. I have tried it out and it is a medium duty hammer, not a ton of power but it would do a fair amount of jobs. The bits that come with it are pretty soft too, but aren't bad. It would probably take that bracket off just fine.

So, it is a medium duty hammer?
Actually I got it from Advance on sale, and with a promo code, but never used it yet.
Here is one on e bay for $47.00 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-INGERSO...L-SET-NEW-SALE-PRICE-/120883888987#vi-content

$47.10 at Amazon, Might be better for a return if needed?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VZAENC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[woody 73]

Stay away from CP. I had to swap one for a customer after having it for a week. Then, the piece I swapped him doesn't even make it a day. He went with IR and hasn't had any more problems.

Sent from my PG41200 using Tapatalk 2

I think this must be the case why CP never gets talked about on the GJ; I have one that I bought back in the early 1990's from Japan that just kicks ****. Sadly they must be going downhill from what I have been reading on the GJ.

 

[Ken81590]

I didn't read your post, just the Title, so I'll give some input.

I have 3 air hammers,

Husky, Westend, and Chicago Pnuematic. The CP one is great, but the Husky is just as good, I always reach for the Husky.

So that's my recommendation.

 

[SMKS]

Sioux should be the OEM for the SO hammers. Snap on owns Sioux. Might be worth a look.

The only thing I will add is that good hearing and eye protection are a MUST with air hammers (and a very good idea most of the time, BTW).