9 Best Air Hammers (Buying Guide)

An air hammer is a versatile power tool that works with compressed air and can have several different attachments added to it for different functions. This is why at times this tool can be referred to as an air chisel.

This tool is used to do a wide variety of stripping and demolishing jobs which makes it a handy gem for DIY projects and renovations in the home. You can also use an air hammer or air chisel in your garage for disassembly jobs such as popping out CV joints and peening solid rivets. This tool can handle lightweight and heavy-duty tasks depending on its make.

What Do You Need an Air Hammer For

As we had mentioned before, air hammers can be used for a variety of jobs thanks to the fact that they can handle a number of attachments. Air hammers are used to cut and shape metal. They are also used to smoothen and deburr metal.

They can also be used to cut exhaust pipes, split ball joints, free frozen nuts, and brake shock absorber fasteners. Air chisels are not only limited to metal but they are used in the wood and stone working shops as well. They help speed up the chiseling and carving process. In other common job sites, air hammers are used to remove material such as cement and mortar.

There is a wide range of attachments to use depending on what you need the air hammer for. The best thing is that most air hammer attachments are uniform on a global scale and therefore what is made by another manufacturer will fit with another manufacturer’s tools.

How Does The Air Hammer Work

Air hammers are made up of different parts that are responsible for their entire functioning. The part that the hammer uses to operate is the piston. This is the only part that moves. It moves back and forth in a rapid manner due to the air pressure. Air goes into the central cylinder and forces the tip attachment to move forward with speed and power. The cyclical valve will then reverse the airflow with tip attachment going back to the cylinder. It is a cycle that is repeated a thousand times per minute. We explain this process later in this review.

The other aspect of working with air hammers is compression. Handheld air hammers have tubes connected to an air tank. Air compressors have motors that ensure the compressor has been filled with pressurized air. This air travels via the tube to the hammer and the hammer becomes operational.

What To Consider When Choosing  Air Hammers

Adaptability

Air hammers offer a variety of services. You can attach different tips depending on the project you are undertaking. The hammer tips are great for shaping and smoothing also known as plenishing while the chisel tips are great for scoring and cutting. Each kind of tip allows you to pound a surface or material thousands of times per minute. Most of the air hammers in the market come with different chisel bits.

Safety

Air hammers are powerful in their working mode and can cause serious injuries if safety precautions are not put in place. This means that you should have proper safety wear such as safety glasses as part of the things you buy. You should also ensure that you are well informed and experienced to handle such a tool. You should also ensure that the hammer has a good grip, especially on the trigger so that you have full control.

Power

Air hammers work with tightly compressed air. Of course, every hammer can do this but you will need to check the PSI rating of the hammer. This number should match the rating of your air compressor. If these two figures are a mismatch then the air hammer will not work correctly but the good news is that most of the compressors being released to the market nowadays can withstand any kind of tool.

Tank size and trigger

Optimum performance is necessary and therefore ensures that the air compressor and the PSI airflow requirement are compatible.  As for the trigger, opt for the gradual progressive trigger as it is safer to use. This trigger gives you more control.

Barrel

The air hammer barrel can be long or short. Short barrels are great for light work, for example, removing wheel studs while long barrels are designed for heavy-duty tasks.

It should be noted that there is no universal barrel size to stick to. Each model comes with its unique barrel. As we have mentioned here, the longer the barrel, the greater the force sent to the piston but if you want something that is versatile then the longest barrels are not the best.

Medium-sized barrels get almost every work done. A model with a short barrel translates to great mobility but at a high cost of power. So as much as you can use what you want for your needs, moderation is essential.

Blows Per Minute (BPM)

Blows per minute refer to to the number of cycles that push the piston to hit the hammer and go back. You might assume that the higher the BPM the better the performance but actually, the lower the BPM number the stronger the impact. The BPM is what actually shows you the true power potential of the hammer model. For a beginner, something between 2000 and 3000 BPMs should suffice.

Instant-power VS. gradually-progressive trigger

The trigger is an important element since it has to do with control. It allows you to control the power of the air by letting it in or keeping it out. This happens in two ways; instant and gradual progressive.

Instant progressive is when the air hammer uses full force immediately the trigger is pulled. This gives you faster results and is the best when you do not have all the time to wait. Many construction workers prefer this mode.

The gradual progressive trigger will take some time before unleashing full power. This is the best option where safety is concerned. You have enough time to prepare and adjust your grip plus it gives you an upper hand when it comes to control.

Warranty

Always go for something longer because that means the manufacturer has full confidence in the performance of their product. A minimum of three years is a great warranty.

Now that you have a firm grip on what air hammers are, how they function and what you should consider when buying one, here is a list of some of the best air hammers.

9 Best Air Hammers

1. Ingersoll Rand Air Hammer 114GQC

The Ingersoll Rand Air Hammer 114GQC is a light-duty hammer that can be used for cutting, fixing and other general repairs. It is powered by compressed air and has the ability to make 3500 blows every minute. It comes with a quick change retainer so that you can easily swap your chisels.

This impact tool is truly rugged and compact to give you a solid grip while working. It also comes with a medium-length alloyed steel barrel to ensure the hammer serves you for longer.

Pros

• Award-Winning ergonomic grip
• Three-piece chisel set
• Heat-treated piston
• Longer life alloyed steel barrel

Cons

• Has a short warranty period ( one year )
• Grip becomes slippery after long use

Buyer comments

“My cheap $15 air hammer wasn't doing the job for me anymore (moved up to larger equipment repair) and going from that no-name one to this one is like going from a Ranger to an F-350. Bigger, heavier, and stronger all around. I also really like the quick-action chisel retainer…” J

Rating- 4.4 out of 5

2. Sunex SX243 Hd 250

The Sunex SX243 Hd 250 is in the same price category as the Ingersoll Rand Air Hammer 114GQC. It is a unit recommended for grinding, drilling and cutting. It offers you 2200 blows per minute (BPM ) and has a long barrel making it ideal for heavy-duty work.

This Sunex unit is a combination of high power and lightweight design. The hammer has an aluminum casing but there are other parts that are steel reinforced. The housing is small but the barrel is a long one meaning that this hammer can smash heavy-duty tasks.

Pros

• Long barrel design
• Aluminum alloy housing for durability
• Ergonomic comfort grip

Cons

• Weighs 5.6 pounds

Buyers comments

“Good tool. I am a mechanic and I use it all the time.” Chris

Rating- 4.3 out of 5

3. Chicago Pneumatic CP7150 Air Hammer

The Chicago Pneumatic CP7150 Air Hammer is a standard air hammer. This unit is quite easier to use because that is what the manufacturers intended it to be. It is also the best when it comes to doing the simplest of tasks.

The speed of this hammer is easy to change and you can manage several jobs with it. This means that if your business is not so demanding then a single unit can take care of everything.

Pros

• Easy to learn how to use
• Has enough power for a good number of jobs
• Standard industry device

Cons

• Might require longer or shorter stroke
• Might need more settings

Buyer comments

“A great gun with no control issues.” Derrick

Rating- 4.2 out of 5

4. Chicago Pneumatic CP714 Heavy-Duty Air Hammer

The CP714 Heavy-Duty Air Hammer is a unit that suits professionals who want the best. This unit can be used for several applications such as bolt shearing, riveting, exhaust, front end among others.

The CP714 offers you more control than ever plus it has an extra sensitive tease so as to control when it can start and stop. For precise control over speed, you can make use of the positive action trigger. The hammer gives you 2000 blows per minute and comes with a two-year warranty.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Effective speed regulator
• Low sound power

Cons

• Vibrates a lot
• Can only do heavy-duty tasks with a 3 or 8-inch rivet

Buyer comments

“Works like an air hammer should…” Ryan

Rating- 4.7 out of 5

5. Astro Pneumatic Tool 4980 0.498

The Astro Pneumatic air hammer is a specific unit and has a shank that allows you to work with several types of chisels. All you will need to do is buy a shank set. The main selling point for this hammer is that you are able to change the chisels easily and there is enough power to see you through the task you have at hand.

Pros

• Can change chisels easily
• Enough power for each chisel type
• Works on most job with ease

Cons

• More power might be needed
• It can be too complex for daily use

Buyer comments

“This thing is a BEAST and superseded my expectations.” Eric

Rating- 4.4 out of 5

6. Chicago Pneumatic CP717 Super Duty Air Hammer

Also known as the super duty air hammer, the Chicago Pneumatic CP717 Super Duty Air Hammer  has a reputation that precedes it. Its casing is simple but is a mixture of both aluminum and steel. It is around 4 pounds and still qualifies as a lightweight hammer.

The long-stroke heavy-duty piston can deliver 1800 blows per minute. This means that you will need enough compressed air. This unit requires a source of compressed air that can deliver 7 CFM.

This air hammer model is most common with truck drivers and construction workers because it offers extra power compared to its peers in the same range.

Pros

• Hard-hitting air hammer
• Easy Change Retainer

Con

• Can become brute and uncomfortable to use
• 1-year warranty period

Buyer comments

“This thing is pretty Skookum. Definitely has improved power over the Ingersoll 114 GQC.” Jerry

Rating- 4.2 out of 5

7. DEWALT DWMT70785 Air Chisel Hammer

From the renowned manufacturer, DEWALT comes another quality tool. The DEWALT DWMT70785 Air Chisel Hammer with its black and yellow design is a lightweight air hammer made of aluminum. It is durable and has a rubber handle to give you that firm grip.

This is not a hammer for heavy-duty tasks. The barrel is shot and therefore will not provide enough power. This hammer will give you 2200 BPM and requires 4.5 CFM to deliver.

Now here comes the best part of this unit. First and foremost the handle has an extra layer of rubber that acts as a shock absorber. This additional rubber layer also absorbs the extra vibrations made during operation. It also has a touch control trigger to help you operate it with ease. And last but not least, this light to medium-duty model has the most desired warranty when it comes to air hammers. A 3-year warranty, which so far it is only DEWALT that has succeeded to do so in this list so far.

Pros

• Has 3 different chisels
• Ergonomic handle
• Lightweight

Cons 

• Can leak air
• Changing the bits can prove to be difficult
• Power levels can go down

Buyers comments

“This is a very heavy well-made air chisel. Nothing cheap about it. Comes with 5 attachments.” Michael

Rating- 3.8 out of 5

8. Powermate Px P024-0293SP Heavy Duty Air Hammer

The Powermate Px P024-0293SP Heavy Duty Air Hammer has all the features of a professional tool.  One of these features is a touch trigger that is not only comfortable for gripping but also gives you the power of control. The handle exhaust keeps the heat away from the working space.

There is also the fast change retainer so that you can change your chisel bits as fast as you can. This unit comes with four carbon steel chisels namely cold chisel, panel cutter chisel, ripping chisel and punch chisel. For purposes of giving you a firm hold and reducing vibration, a soft-touch grip has been provided.

Pros

• Handle exhaust to keep heat away
• Quick change chisel
• Comes with 4 carbon steel chisels
• Professional touch trigger

Cons

• Can only handle very lightweight tasks

Buyer comments

“I bought this tool and wow does it ever do a good job..” Jose

Rating- 3.9 out of 5

9. Ingersoll Rand 121Q Super Duty Air Hammer

The Ingersoll Rand 121Q Super Duty Air Hammer is a six-piece chisel kit that makes you able to do bush driving, panel crimping and cutting and other general front end work fast.

This unit is a combination of the super duty pneumatic hammer ( the 121 ) and the best six high-quality chisels. These chisels are able to deliver even in the harshest job.

This hammer model has a coil spring retainer and that means it offers fast and easy chisel changing. This hammer will give you 3000 blows per minute. At 3.5 pounds you are able to lift it with ease. This unit definitely boosts your productivity.

Pros

• Power and sturdy construction
• Lightweight
• Coil spring retainer
• Comes with six steel assorted chisels
• Professional touch trigger

Cons

• Complaints about a weak retainer spring

Buyer comments

“Didn't realize how much easier changing ball joints or CV axis's is using this! Wish I would have purchased this years ago !” Seth

Rating- 3.6 out of 5

In Summary

If this is your first time to learn about air hammers, we hope that this review did more in helping you understand these amazing tools. This review is as a result of thorough and neutral research. All these hammers carry a certain aspect that makes them a viable candidate. If you noted keenly, we never mentioned the 

Price because we believe that price should not be a major determining factor when you are seeking quality items. So this review is all about features that stand out.

The air hammers listed here are quite easy to use and you will find that they are efficient. Of course, the DEWALT air hammer easily towers them all thanks to is durability, build but the Ingersoll Rand towers them all when it comes to reputation as the best when it comes to industrial machinery.

Go for something that is reliable and will match the tasks that you will be doing most of the time. We have a great love for these hammers, the various operations they can handle, their build and brands. As you look deeper into the list, we hope you finally find a hammer that beats all your tasks.

All images courtesy of https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hammers

This article belongs to Mercy Opande who was hired to write but the client refused to pay.