Not an often visited category, but hardware store air hammers next? It's worth keeping in mind that the creator of this channel is working in product development for Astro tools, and while the tools tend to make what they make when hooked up to dyno's here it's always a good idea to consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!

This kind of content is way better than consumer reports.

Sweet shout out to South Main auto, guy does some pretty ridiculously in depth diagnostic on weird issues. Seems like a genuinely nice dude, really like his channel.

I'm a huge fan of the minimum power end, so I really appreciate y'all testing that. Hammering out axles and ball joints is important. But sometimes you need to do surgery with a chisel bit. That variable trigger is a must when you need to twist a rusted fuel pump lock ring, or loosen a rounded out Subaru CVT fill plug.

Must say, tools wearing in, is something that's so cool to hear of these days. When was the last thing you owned that wore in instead of only out.

I am curious to know how does AirCat get such fine trigger control? Can you guys do a tear down and analysis of the parts in a future video? Lets go full nerd on this and get techy. BTW, I bought the IR119MaxK and the Astro 498k, after your previous tests. Love the channel!

I bought a IR years ago and have worn out my share of chisels with it. It cannot compete in this arena but it has served me well over the years. Having said that, a Snap On has had to come to my rescue a couple times.

I still love my Matco. It hits like a freight train. I work on heavy equipment, so I haven't been too worried about using it at "idle" speed. If I ever need to, that's what air line regulators are for.

I used the Chief long barrel air hammer this weekend on a Subaru rear wheel bearing and it knocked it out in 10 minutes. Rust belt area. Other side the owner beat on it for 5 hours and ended up taking knuckle off and using a press. I installed a larger air fitting along with female connection on compressor hose. I used a V shaped chisel and rotated the bearing which got it started moving. Chief for the win

Super Impressive on the new Astro, but I'd be tempted to pony up for the Aircat just to get that trigger. The problem with the Aircat is that I'm not sure my compressor can supply the 11.7 amp current draw the Amazon listing indicates it needs. Drat.

Be interesting to replace the slug in the Astro with a tungsten slug to see how it would do. And for fun, maybe an aluminum slug, just to show how much the slug weight influences how hard it hits.

Anytime ya get to see Eric O, you know it's going to be good

As an aircat dealer the only problem I have with them is service. Takes months to get anything back and they only fix the bare minimum. Plus they have outside shops do all their repairs. It’s so bad I quit stocking their tools and just order them if someone wants one.

I really think the power range score would be better expressed as a ratio rather than a straight subtraction Subtraction means that there are basically no points awarded for doubling your range at the low end. A tool with a 500-4000lb range scores almost exactly the same as one with a 125-4000 range, even though the former's minimum force is 400% worse. And a comparably small improvement in max power of 500lb (12.5% increase in power vs 400% increase in dynamic range) would actually yield more points in the current version of this field. If you want to be really nerdy about it then a log of the ratio would be best, but a straight ratio is still a big improvement in reflecting the control and range you get from a tool

Not only do I really enjoy the information (because its more trustable) but also your delivery.

I’ve always used an SDS hammer drill for my hammer. I pressed a piece of aluminum round stock onto the SDS shank and it works wonders.

AP puts out some great stuff at pretty amazing prices. I own more than a few items from them and never have buyer's remorse. And... awesome pick putting Eric-O on... he's a champ and it always makes me smile when he talks about using "big nasty". Great video as always. Thanks!!

I purchased a chief the day after you tested it and have loved it Working on heavy equipment it’s been amazing for driving out rusty pins

I’ve got the SnapOn and love it. Bought it used for $200. Hits hard and has the best trigger control I’ve ever used. Looks like that Astro is pretty close, so it would be worth checking out if I wanted to replace it. The Aircat looked good and would probably work, but it loses too much power when you hold it the “proper” way. Not an every day issue, but there’s been times I need all the power I can get.

I have a long barrel Napa air hammer. Its been the same design for at least 20 years for currently $130 and i would swear it'd keep up with all the big names.

This is an awesome playlist! I don't even have an air hammer (although I'm interested).....but use an SDS MAX Hercules to set a lot of iron pins (surveying). Especially in solid rock, drilling makes all the difference. Thanks for this content!

I'd like to see the HF Chief medium barrel tested

I have Astro hammers the new one 401k and CP 714 for light duty and really like them both the Astro 498K comes out for serious work

I just purchased the snap on in Kawasaki green yesterday. I like it.

It would be interesting to insert a tungsten slug into one or various air hammer pistons to see if the extra weight makes much difference. I have no suitable material but perhaps a viewer does.

I bought my Vaper Air Hammer at Auto Zone for ~$25 a year ago and it came with 4 attachments. I love it.

Would love to see what electric tool makers could do with an autohammer, theres that one skil tool out there but a bigger name attached to one might be able to show it off better

I would love to see you guys start testing wood working power tools like routers especially both plunge style, fixed base styles for tables and compact palm routers. Corded and cordless!

Still would like to see the taylor pneumatic .498 7x with the 5.75" stroke does as opposed to big nasty and the other big ones

Awesome vid as always, thanks! Sidenote....are you planning on a test of the battery powered blowers? The Dewalt 60V circular saw combo price is intriguing, which makes me ponder the 60V handled blower over the 20V. Mainly for small cleanups but runtime is a factor...wonder how the 60V stacks up to the 20V tool and maybe just get the 60V saw combo and the 20V blower using that same 60V pack for runtime...not sure as I already have a good supply of 20V tools/batts.

I have the Astro 401 for a few months now. ITS A BEAST.

I like the my snap on not just for the power but for the trigger control since I work around a lot of rusty pipe that I have to chip slag off from haul trucks that run in steel mills .

I know its a little out there, but i would LOVE to see a comparison of cordless rotary tools, specifically milwaukee's new 2525-20 brushless vs their old 2460-20 brushed as well as dremels offering 8220. Obviously they're no foredom, but Id really enjoy seeing the different offerings compared.

Hi, first of all i love the precision that you do your videos, and second, i got my hands on sykes-pickavant vibro hammer, is massive, they have it also under MÜLLER-WERKZEUG VIBRO IMPACT SYSTEM AIR HAMMER KIT - 290 206, i am so curious to see where it stands on your graphic list, once again i love your content!

If you want trigger control, look into an aviation rivet gun 👍

I have the Snap On and love the trigger. I have a medium chief and it is a good hammer, just no control on the trigger. I love seeing the control on both the new hammers tested. Have you ever tested the low tigger with max air pressure? My shop has 120 all the time and no 90.

Update: I bought that Aircat. The trigger is, in fact, exceptional. This is like getting the best of a big hammer and a rivet gun in one tool. It won't replace your small 2x riveter on your Vans build, but I can see how this thing would absolutely work as a rivet gun in thicker materials with larger rivets.

this is the one tool I badly wish industry would invest in making electric

Awesome demo

You guys should test wood routers. They have ridiculous HP ratings that everyone seems to believe, but is the 115v "3.25 HP" model really more powerful than others?

Geat video as always! Just wanted to know if you guys ever planed on testing the Mueller Kueps HD Vibro air hammer, aka "BIG CHOOCH"? Would love to see what kind of score that monster would get.

I've been waiting for this episode ever since I saw the 401 Thor on the market

The firearm reference was awesome!!!

sold. the astro is on the 'to get' list (unless something manages to beat the price/perf ratio before then).

Yes, the .401 Thor finally reviewed! I was waiting on buying my next air hammer until this one gets reviewed

Hey there I enjoy your channel Have thought about testing Butterfly air impact wrench Like the Ingersall Rand 2168 vs Astro #136E? Thanks

Hey, love your channel. I was thinking if By any chance is there a cordless option?

It’s a good thing to remember that all of these companies are in business to make money. Snapon particularly because they have truck salesman. I can’t be sure about now but in years past they also had industrial sales people. The difference between the two was of course the truck versus a salesman with the catalog. if you were an industrial salesman you offered a 25% discount. If you were a truck salesman your profit was 40% the last time that I checked and that was quite a while ago. You have to remember that snap on is in the banking business, they charge interest for the money that you borrow to pay the truck salesman and that’s what it is a financial agreement. It’s nearly impossible to get through peoples head that’s something for example it cost $500 and you can buy another tool that is comparable to that for $150, but you have to lay out the 150 bucks all at one time versus the $500 over a period of time. There’s lots of ways of overcoming that but if you want a prestige look then that’s what you buy. It’s your money you spend it the way you want.

Wow I don't have a big need for a heavy hitter very often but that 1 or 2 times a year when I do it would be great to have. I kept saying I would get the harbor freight chief when it was on a really good sale. Well I never picked one up. Now I might just pick one up. I usually buy once cry once but on a tool that I use 1 or 2 times a year I think one of the less expensive ones will be finding its way into the shop.

I picked up the newest Mac air hammer from my local dealer for $299 and got a free Mac compression gauge set with it. It was a deal in a flyer from I think July 2023. It was backordered until October!

My snap on 3050 has been going strong for 3 years now, it hits harder than any other that we have at my shop. Plus if it ever fails i can warranty it same week

subtle red white and blue graph color scheme, hell yeah brother

You should dino gas powered post pounders for fence driven posts. They work with a pneumatic piston. Rhino, Redi Driver, Titan, US Hammer (spring powered not pneumatic but new to the scene).

Cp 714 zip gun. Not the heavy hitter but the trigger is the best out there. Used to drive rivets on body work everywhere

I was just thinking the other day it might be cool if you could test some sds tools using this same rig. It could be really nice to know how effectively they can be used for demoing or chiseling projects. If they are effective enough there might even be some automotive applications for those of us without a large enough compressor to run quality pneumatic tools.

Pure numbers don’t tell the whole story. Trust and reliability in a brand is important. Where they are made matters also. Who cares if a tool hits harder but dies prematurely or when you need it , pay the price and buy the best tools , from American companies

Do more Chicago pneumatic stuff plz!

Ultimate air hammer is a demolition air hammer chisel from ingersol rand. Its about 4500 from online vendors. Its the only thing i have found that will give the business yo rusty crusty damaged king pins on Kenworth semi trucks and dump trucks.

Aircat trigger is the Makita trigger of air hammers.

I know this isn't easiest to test on a Dyno, but since I am in the market for a new hammer drill (SDS+) I thought I would mention it. They all claim various levels of kinetic energy and I don't really know what to trust in their concrete drilling capacity.

401k for $112?! Yeah im picking one up

I love that the reference to 700 nitro is pretty much a direct shout out to Kentucky Ballistics

Could you test the battery adapters on the Makita 36v microwave and determine the difference in how many meals you can microwave?

I’d love to see how the CP7165/60 from Chicago Pneumatic goes on the dyno. Most of my air tools are from CP and would love to keep the CP family going true.

My air tools are about do for upgrading, looking like Thor is gonna be doing it. One thing i find odd is my IR long barrel has a super smooth and easily variable trigger, i wonder if its just well wore in

I will be looking at the aircat

So glad to see the Aircat tested! I bought one about 8 months ago and i love it.

Have you tested any of the carlyle brand air hammers?

Are there cordless / battery tools that are similar and have you tested any?

Nice testing. Its nice to see the Snap On wasnt embarrassed too badly considering I have their big boy air hammer lmaoo but it is really strong, so i dont have much regret.....besides the price 😅😭

Can you guys run some tests of cordless SDS+ drills next? I am actually considering one for automotive work as hopefully a decent air hammer replacement, not wanting a compressor.

That air cat looks great, that trigger has my attention.

Any idea why the Astro isn’t available?

just curious are you using air tool oil and does it make a difference?

Yet I own a Snap On Air Hammer that is now 43 years old, older than most of the kids commenting in this comment section. I purchased it new off the Snap On truck in 1980.

My cp 7x 20yrs still hits hard

Will there ever be an electric version of an air hammer? (and no… hammer drills / rotary hammers isn't what I'm talking about). I mean this sorta form factor, take those sort of attachments/tips. A motor could still translate motion into that piston?

I was wondering if the Ingersoll Rand 123MAXK Short Barrel Air Hammer would be any different from the Ingersoll Rand 119MAX Long-Barrel Air Hammer, how are the triggers as well? i prefer valve type of triggers, very controllable

Can you test out Cornwell, bluepoint and the new snap on “short” barrel air hammer?

Trying to separate a 06 toureg driveline from the back axle. Would the Thor do it? Currently have a carlyle air impact doesn't seem to do much?

aircat seems like it would make a hell of a good aircraft rivet gun. tee tiny little aluminum rivets dont really need all the beans but often you wanna just barely tap it

That guy doing the Jeep axle did it the hard way. A) The blocking ring snaps as soon as you grind 80% of the way through it, no need to worry about hitting the axle with a cut-off wheel. B) Once you cut the cage off, you can get the inner race off by standing the axle vertically and then gently heating it with the torch. It'll fall right off. Might even be able to do it with propane/MAP. No need to possibly melt a spot on your axle for that.

If one comes across your path, id be keen to see a comparo of a CP7165k and the cream of .401s. Based off of the numbers, it seems like it will party.

Wouldn't dropping line pressure be the same as throttling the trigger. Both would supply less air to the same volume air chamber probably bringing very similar results. Maybe running a regulator straight off the gun would give as much control as one could really need.

Bro, the 7 nitro express and south main auto? dang hitting all the subs today

I bought the Aircat to save a few bucks. It's a vibrator and won't break anything loose. Hit a local pawn shop and found a new Snappy for cheap. It's exactly what the doctor needs. Buy nice or buy twice.

You guys should test the Mueller Kueps HD vibro air hammer

Please test the IR 118Max. I have that & wonder if it's anywhere near as strong as the competition.

Do more air hammer tests please.

In Australia that Aircat retails for $679 AUD (about 443 USD).

You mention the air cat having a funky air pressure regulator. The snapon has the same one and I say that because a lot of people I’ve personally came across doesn’t know it’s there 😂

I need to know how the fortis hd big chooch really compares

You need to try and see if you can replace the steel piston inside with a heavier metal. If you cant change the bore or length wouldn't changing the weight result in higher force yet??

You prolly won't see this, but getting back to the air flow question, while I know hi-flow fittings are minimal restriction, do straight thru fittings like Chicago claw fittings provide a notable benefit on big air hog tools (I'm curious because I ended up going with 3/4 hose and those to feed a 1" impact to really get those precious beans)

You guys need to test the new Snap-On air hammer.that came out a few weeks ago. 3500 hits per.minute vs the one you tested at 2500

Second only to project farm in delivery and info. Love it!

Any battery air hammer's videos?

I purchased your tool rankings list and it has been a huge help. Do you think you could add some name brand stuff to the Drill Driver category? I'd like to see how the big tool brands stack up to the Amazon and Harbor Freight drills currently in the ranking. I'm particularly interested in 2nd and 3rd Gen Millwaukee M12 1/2" Drill/Drivers

yo lad can you do a 123maxk, you got the 135 and 119 but no 123maxk. I know it's old but I have one and it has a decent amount of power for a short barrel. i personally like the compactness of it, trigger is alright but doesn't compare to strap on. However as a hd on road tech it definitely comes in clutch when working in tight spaces.

Would you ever test Hilti?