Air hammers

[plewlandsbob]

What are the advantages, of an air hammer, over a Normal hammer? I can see an advantage, working somewhere , you don't have room to swing a big hammer.
Any recommendations on a decent brand?

Thanks
Bob

 

[James1979]

What are the advantages, of an air hammer, over a Normal hammer? I can see an advantage, working somewhere , you don't have room to swing a big hammer.
Any recommendations on a decent brand?

Thanks
Bob

That really

Lots of concentrated blows in a very short space of time. Think impact wrench.

I have a flat ended chisel which I use for splitting ball joints but that’s about the only use my hammer gets these days.

I have got a long (like 2’) ball joint fork that goes in it which I bought for one job - intermediate arm on a DAF XF 105 - but couldn’t access it any other way.

Mines a snap on.

 

[Joe 90]

Unless you buy the best air chisel which is supposed to be snap on i think you'll be disappointed with what it'll do as a hammer and its crazy money.
With chisel ends in it its good for cutting out a bush sleeve or something on the car were you have no way of holding the arm solid to hit it with a hammer.

 

[Morrisman]

Unless you buy the best air chisel which is supposed to be snap on i think you'll be disappointed with what it'll do as a hammer and its crazy money.
With chisel ends in it its good for cutting out a bush sleeve or something on the car were you have no way of holding the arm solid to hit it with a hammer.

I bought a no name 1/2" drive rattle gun off ebay years ago, the thing was gutless, all I ever used it for was running wheel nuts in or out, but I had to crack them loose by hand first.

 

[Brad93]

Trelawney are meant to be good. or IR

 

[James1979]

Trelawney are meant to be good. or IR

Snap On are rebadged IR

 

[mike 109444]

Have seen a similar attachment used to good effect

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shake-Break-Impact-Screw-Remover/dp/B000BHJ7JM/ref=sr_1_10?crid=54XCEJG3COS1&keywords=air+hammer+impact+driver&qid=1672402799&sprefix=air+hammer+impact+driver%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-10

 

[Robotstar5]

Have seen a similar attachment used to good effect

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shake-Break-Impact-Screw-Remover/dp/B000BHJ7JM/ref=sr_1_10?crid=54XCEJG3COS1&keywords=air+hammer+impact+driver&qid=1672402799&sprefix=air+hammer+impact+driver%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-10

I've got the Sealey version

 

[Hitch]

Chicago Pneumatic or Ingersoll Rand... like all tools, there are overlaps between models/prices.

As with most things, buy a lower range one, it'll be good...until you try a top of the range one.

 

[James1979]

Also, what air do you have as they can be quite greedy

And don’t be shy on your oil. They can ice up. Well they do here anyway!!

 

[Shox Dr]

I was given a clarke nut runner. It was pants until I bought a new air line.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Two entirely different things, a normal hammer will put in a lot more energy and momentum into a swing, which can be useful in certain situations.
An air hammer vibrates and delivers lots of small blows, which can be brilliant for freeing off things which have stuck or rusted, without deforming them as much as you would by swinging a club hammer for example.

You can get a range of attachments, some for hammering/drifting (I find these very useful), some for chiselling or cutting. Even needle scaler attachments.
There are two common standards for shank size for the tooling .401" and .498" - with the more powerful (and expensive) units using the larger shank.

You will also tend to find different models with short or long stroke barrels , which are exactly as the name implies. Both have their place, but a long stroke will usually deliver a harder hit.
They are all pretty much derived from the old solid rivet setters.

A good teasing trigger is essential for the usability - you want something that is progressive rather than off or balls out.

I have a Chicago Pneumatic - Taiwanese made, affordable, reasonable quality, nice trigger and it has been very useful. It is by no means the most powerful, but often you don't really need that - it is more the vibrating action that seems to work the magic.
Unless you really need the power, I'd suggest sticking with the smaller shank size as the tooling is much more available and cost effective.

You will need a good air supply as mentioned. 10mm hose bore minimum, and high flow fittings will help spice it up.

 

[mtt.tr]

I use them often on sized hydraulic fittings and air fittings. Quick blat they spin free, a long spanner just snaps them off.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I've got a cheap one bought probably 25 years ago from a car show. Still works perfectly as I ensure oiled before use. Note they are "air hungry".

 

[keithski122]

I only really ever used mine for exhausts.I have a chisel that is curved and will cut a slip joint off nicely without damage to the piece you're going to reuse.

 

[Cobbler]

I’ve used mine for removing ceramic wall tiles, they are very effective for that. I’ve also used it for breaking up the lump of concrete on the bottom of a fence post. Not used it for metal often though, mine is only a Screwfix cheapy but seems to work ok.

 

[mtt.tr]

Mine was used today on a sheered 20mm bolt

Blind hole flat punch on the end whack away for a bit. Drill and extract.

 

[James1979]

That’s a

Mine was used today on a sheered 20mm bolt

Blind hole flat punch on the end whack away for a bit. Drill and extract.

good idea

 

[James1979]

Idle thought. Do ‘they’ do a battery one?

I know Milwaukee do a palm nailer but I doubt it’s got enough grunt.

 

[mtt.tr]

Idle thought. Do ‘they’ do a battery one?

I know Milwaukee do a palm nailer but I doubt it’s got enough grunt.

No sadly not, I'd have one in a heard beat