Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
Something about air hammers.
I accidentally got a long throw air hammer with a pile of tools I bought at a yard sale. Did not realized what it could do when I got it.
Did some research to learn more and it was not easy to pull out the details.
There are two types of air hammers.
The ones everyone seems to want to talk about at the X hammers. These are special aircraft standard hammers. The aircraft rivet setting has a set of standards that you must follow for proper setting of the rivets. So they standardized the hammers. You will find a chart telling you which hammer to use for each size and type of rivet.
Then you have the automotive hammers. These are harder to find out the details. They are not really standardized.
Here is a quick summary of the differences.
The aircraft guns have about 1/2" diameter 'hammer' inside them (might be slightly off on the diameter- it has been a while). The 1X, 2X, 3X relates to the length in inches of the barrel the hammer travels. The longer the barrel the more the force per hit. The amount of force is regulated and standardized. I believe they might even have to to be maintained under FAA standards (cost $$$ to fix).
The automotive guns have a larger diameter 'hammer' of 5/8" or 11/16". This means more surface area and heavier mass for more force per hit. Like the aircraft guns they have number that relate roughly to the length of the barrel in inches. They also vary in how fast they will hit. These guns are more appropriate for some of the heavy rivet setting we might find on the A plus other tasks dealing with the A. I have a 4" automotive (well several now as I found them cheap with people not knowing what they had) air hammer and found it would move the stuck front spring perch out of an axle leaving the threads still usable.
You will get sticker shock when you see how much new and used long throw hammers cost. I have paid $10 for a pair of name brand long throws just because I know I can sell them for more on ebay. Here is a case where information is king as many guys do not know what they are worth at flea markets so you can get deals.
So when someone says they used their air hammer to do something, you really need to get the details. Their 3X air hammer may not have the same power of your 4" automotive hammer.
Notice I am not saying anyone hammer is better than the other.
I am just pointing out there are different types of hammers out there, but everyone only seems to talk about the aircraft X series hammers. It is good to know more.
A final sub note.
When using the air hammers what you have backing the part you are beating one makes a huge difference. You need to back what your are trying beat out solidly. If the part moves a little your are losing energy per hit.
I accidentally got a long throw air hammer with a pile of tools I bought at a yard sale. Did not realized what it could do when I got it.
Did some research to learn more and it was not easy to pull out the details.
There are two types of air hammers.
The ones everyone seems to want to talk about at the X hammers. These are special aircraft standard hammers. The aircraft rivet setting has a set of standards that you must follow for proper setting of the rivets. So they standardized the hammers. You will find a chart telling you which hammer to use for each size and type of rivet.
Then you have the automotive hammers. These are harder to find out the details. They are not really standardized.
Here is a quick summary of the differences.
The aircraft guns have about 1/2" diameter 'hammer' inside them (might be slightly off on the diameter- it has been a while). The 1X, 2X, 3X relates to the length in inches of the barrel the hammer travels. The longer the barrel the more the force per hit. The amount of force is regulated and standardized. I believe they might even have to to be maintained under FAA standards (cost $$$ to fix).
The automotive guns have a larger diameter 'hammer' of 5/8" or 11/16". This means more surface area and heavier mass for more force per hit. Like the aircraft guns they have number that relate roughly to the length of the barrel in inches. They also vary in how fast they will hit. These guns are more appropriate for some of the heavy rivet setting we might find on the A plus other tasks dealing with the A. I have a 4" automotive (well several now as I found them cheap with people not knowing what they had) air hammer and found it would move the stuck front spring perch out of an axle leaving the threads still usable.
You will get sticker shock when you see how much new and used long throw hammers cost. I have paid $10 for a pair of name brand long throws just because I know I can sell them for more on ebay. Here is a case where information is king as many guys do not know what they are worth at flea markets so you can get deals.
So when someone says they used their air hammer to do something, you really need to get the details. Their 3X air hammer may not have the same power of your 4" automotive hammer.
Notice I am not saying anyone hammer is better than the other.
I am just pointing out there are different types of hammers out there, but everyone only seems to talk about the aircraft X series hammers. It is good to know more.
A final sub note.
When using the air hammers what you have backing the part you are beating one makes a huge difference. You need to back what your are trying beat out solidly. If the part moves a little your are losing energy per hit.