Used air hammers?

[willyswonka]

I've been looking a picking up a serious business air hammer, specifically either a Matco MT1815 or a Snap On PH3050. I'm a mechanic, so it's going to see fairly heavy use, and I don't know if it's worth looking at buying used.

How much can go wrong on one of these hammers? How hard is it/what does it cost to rebuild them? I have both Matco and Snap On guys, so I assume I'll be able to get parts if I need them.

 

[jethro29]

i have a snap-on 3050 that i've had for 8 years and use atleast 3-4 times a week.and have never had an issue with it at all.it is one badass hammer.i think i would just by new and be done with it.

 

[blacK20]

My 3050 is 5+ years and going. I do alot of front end work so it gets used and abused on a regular basis. No problems yet.

 

[senlow]

The Snappy is a great air hammer. I wouldn't hesitate to buy used. There's not much to go wrong with an air hammer. They may gum up, or the flutter disc will fail. They are simple tools; easy to rebuild.

 

[chris142]

I found a "looks like new" Mac on at a pawn shop for $75. It works well. I sent my old PH50 in to be repaired and they sent me a brand new PH2050! Snap On has a set price for air tool repairs. The air hammer price is $125 and I was not expecing a brand new tool for that price.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Try to stick with very lightly used or new. 1 more vote for PH3050.
Also check with your local dealers about remanufactured hammers that they may have.

 

[crewchief888]

i havent tried a 3050,
but my older 2050 outhits anything else i've tried.

it siezed up 4 or 5 years ago, it's seen a rough life in a service truck,
SO rebuilt for $125

 

[enrare]

I've also been looking into either a lightly used Ph3050A from Ebay or a new IR 118MAX. Tooltopia has the IR 118MAX kit (hammer, quick change chuck, 5bits and case) for $122. Ebay average price for lightly used/like new PH3050 is around $170's to $200. The IR seems like a better bang for your buck deal, but I'd be willing to spend more for the PH3050 if it's superior to the Ingersoll Rand.

 

[oilslick]

I got my SO new for 175 tool only no payments no accessories.

 

[KinzeMech]

How much can go wrong on one of these hammers? How hard is it/what does it cost to rebuild them? I have both Matco and Snap On guys, so I assume I'll be able to get parts if I need them.

Your toolman is the best source of info on repair options.

I will tell ya something a lot of guys don't know. Don't be the guy pulling the trigger just to listen to it fire. If the bit isn't on something, then the gun just beats on itself.

 

[Bob C]

How much can go wrong on one of these hammers? How hard is it/what does it cost to rebuild them? I have both Matco and Snap On guys, so I assume I'll be able to get parts if I need them.

These are the simplest tools to rebuild. a jewelers file, some 400 wet sandpaper, some spray oil and a new disc is about the extent of items needed to make a perfectly functioning air hammer. I have even gone to the extent of making a new disc if I could not get a factory replacement disc. I used and old circuit board to make a disc before and it lasted 2 years.

 

[metaleltr]

What's the file for?

 

[Bob C]

What's the file for?

Sometimes the piston has some minor scoring on it from lack of lubrication and a file cuts down on the time of the sandpaper to remove the worst of the scoring.

 

[metaleltr]

ah, did something similar with the top end of a chewed up chainsaw piston!

 

[EvilWelder]

I have an older Snap-On hammer and it kicks the **** out of my new IR 301.

 

[jrlp]

I went through this recently, and have a thread in this forum about it. I went with a used 3050 from a member here. Well, it was brand new, model A with the spring and the quick chuck. I've never used an air hammer that hit this hard. Most of the time it lives on setting #1 or #2, just so I don't accidentally go through what ever I'm hitting and poke a hole in something else. That air hammer MOVES THINGS.

 

[2JZGTESC300]

Been using the Snap On 3050 for a little over a year and half now. Works flawlessly. I also have a Mac Tools Long Barrel Air Hammer as well that works as great as the Snap On 3050. I bought the Mac Tools way before I bought the Snap On, but I still find time to use both.

 

[mvptrukin]

I have the 3050A but really only use it 2 times a week at most, always more power than I need. My?? is does anyone think it is worth the$60 to get the PH200D retainer chuck to replace the beehive spring?

 

[bgott]

They still get demoed ,though not as much any more.
I would like to know what he has.

You spend less time chasing your bit with the quick release when the bit slides off of whatever you are hammering on.

 

[metaleltr]

I have the 3050A but really only use it 2 times a week at most, always more power than I need. My?? is does anyone think it is worth the$60 to get the PH200D retainer chuck to replace the beehive spring?

No because this will do the exact same thing.
Air hammer chisel retainer

 

[stacerbob]

Cp 717

 

[KinzeMech]

I have the 3050A but really only use it 2 times a week at most, always more power than I need. My?? is does anyone think it is worth the$60 to get the PH200D retainer chuck to replace the beehive spring?

I absolutely will not have an air hammer with a beehive retainer. I suppose for the guy with one bit, or instances where you never change tips, it maybe doesn't matter so much.

$60 is too much for it. I'd get the IR retainer, or get the PH200D cheaper than $60. My dealer tossed in a free retainer when I said I'd buy the gun if he'd make the deal better. YMMV.