8 Most Powerful Air Hammers of 2024

An Air hammer, also known as an Air Chisel, is a pneumatic hand tool used to carve in stone and break or cut metal objects. It is designed to accept different tools depending on the required function. A heavy-duty air hammer can do a lot of things like tile removal, carved in stone, and break or cut metal objects apart.

This article will show you the list of the most powerful air hammers. Let's check it out!

Here are the most powerful air hammers you can buy in 2024:

• Best Overall: Chicago Pneumatic CP717 Air Hammer
• Runner up: Sunex SX243 Long Barrel Air Hammer
• Best Budget: Ingersoll Rand 114GQC Air Hammer
• Best for Small Projects: DEWALT DWMT70785 Air Chisel Hammer
• Cheapest: Dynamic Power Short Barrel Air Hammer
• Most Powerful: Ingersoll-Rand 132 Super Duty Pneumatic Air Hammer
• Lightest: AIRCAT 5200-A-T Long Stroke Air Hammer
• Best Less Vibration: Ingersoll Rand 119MAXK Long Barrel Air Hammer Kit

Best Overall: Chicago Pneumatic CP717 Air Hammer

Chicago Pneumatic CP717 Air Hammer

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If you want a heavy-duty air-driven hammer, then this piece should be what you need. We love its solid built which can handle the impact, vibration falls, and much more.

This Chicago Pneumatic air hammer is one of the most powerful in its class, with a price to follow that. It has a simple casing made of aluminum and steel combination. It is somewhat lightweight at 4 pounds, considering the power that it delivers.

Its long-stroke heavy-duty piston, combined with a long steel barrel can deliver a force of 1800 BPM, the tool is suited to all super heavy-duty tasks due to its superb body construction and power output. In fact, the hammer has 1800 bpm, ¾ inch bore diameter, 7 cfm, and 2-11/16 inch stroke length, it works well on different surfaces. Heavy-duty construction is excellent in maintaining the machine's performance and keeping users enjoying operating it.

This model is popular with construction workers and truck drivers worldwide because it delivers an extra kick of power compared to the others in its range. It comes with an extra-large .498 shank for maximum utility.

Runner up: Sunex SX243 Long Barrel Air Hammer

Sunex SX243 Long Barrel Air Hammer

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The Sunex SX243 air hammer combines high power with a lightweight design. This is mostly due to the aluminum casing which reduces the total weight of the model to just .48 ounces. However, it does have some parts reinforced with steel, for durability’s sake. Despite its small housing, the bigger part of the hammer is the barrel, making this model a long-barrel one. So, this Sunex model can tackle heavy-duty tasks.

You can punch, chip, or cut into stone and metals with the SX243 that delivers up to 2,200 blows per minute (BPM), which is a little less than our top choice but still gets the job done. Large projects get done in record time without any of the usual hassles that are familiar with traditional hammers.

High efficiency and durability are injected into the design of the SX243, with a ¾-inch bore diameter and a 3 ¾-inch piston stroke length. With a stroke length that high, you can expect higher velocity from the piston and more power delivered to the chisel.

Best Budget: Ingersoll Rand 114GQC Air Hammer

Ingersoll Rand 114GQC Air Hammer

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Ingersoll Rand Air Hammer 114QC is a high-rated model. Mainly because it is cheap and also because of its power to tackle anything from moderate to heavy jobs. It is also rugged to last in excellent condition. Being part of the Ingersoll Rand Edge Series, we were pretty eager to see what this air hammer is all about.

This especially comes in handy with the three included chisel pieces: a regular flat chisel piece, a panel cutter chisel, and a tapered punch chisel. Each one is of good alloy quality and is very easy to insert or remove. Ingersoll installed a retainer system that makes switching chisels fast and easy, while also making the individual pieces stick in tight and securely. This is especially great for anyone looking to improve their efficiency by cutting down on unnecessary busy work.

The construction entails alloyed steel and heat-treated piston to offer a strong impact. The diffused handle exhaust is efficient in providing a smooth action. Above all, this tool has an ergonomic handle that keeps hands protected and comfortable.

Best for Small Projects: DEWALT DWMT70785 Air Chisel Hammer

DEWALT DWMT70785 Air Chisel Hammer

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This air hammer has a lightweight aluminum body. It has a medium barrel and a shock-absorbing handle. It’s a good choice for light to medium-duty tasks. It is backed by Dewalt’s three-year limited warranty, which is one of the best in the market today.

The medium barrel on this particular air hammer model is shorter than the rest from its class, making it slightly less powerful when it comes to heavy-duty tasks. And, speaking of power, this hammer requires 4.5 CFM on average to deliver 2200 BPM of force.

The hammer has a touch control trigger which makes it easier to operate, and the handle has an added shock-absorbing layer of rubber that helps absorb excess vibrations. Even though this model is considered a light-to-medium duty, it is covered by a 3-year limited warranty, which is a lot longer than the rest from its range.

Cheapest: Dynamic Power Short Barrel Air Hammer

Dynamic Power Short Barrel Air Hammer

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Another best air hammer is the Dynamic Power Short Barrel Air Hammer. This is a “big nasty” powerful, super-duty, durable air hammer. With its ease to use, this hammer is highly recommended for beginners.

Moreover, if you're on a tight budget, this air hammer might be the best option in price. Dynamic Power Short Barrel Air Hammer comes with four chisels and a retaining spring for quick attachment swapping. This model is extremely light and easy to maneuver.

The short barrel makes it ideal for getting into tight spaces, and the built-in regulator ensures that the speed is appropriate for the job. Its small size and high BPM of up to 5,000 make it ideal for auto bodywork such as cutting and shaping metal body panels. In addition, the average air consumption is approximately 20 CFM. Besides, it has a heat-treated piston and an alloy-steel barrel for increased durability and longevity.

Most Powerful: Ingersoll-Rand 132 Super Duty Pneumatic Air Hammer

Ingersoll-Rand 132 Super Duty Pneumatic Air Hammer

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The Ingersoll Rand Super-Duty Air Hammer - IR-132 for a variety of applications, including front end work, heavy exhaust work, riveting, king pin removal, bushing driving and bolt shearing. Use this air hammer and you’ll have the convenience of a longer tool lifespan and better performance for each job you take on.

Lightest: AIRCAT 5200-A-T Composite Long Stroke Air Hammer

AIRCAT 5200-A-T Composite Long Stroke Air Hammer

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The AIRCAT 5200-A-T Composite Long Stroke Air Hammer is a high-performance, lightweight air hammer. This air hammer is one of the most powerful and hard-hitting on the market, with 2100 blows per minute. Moreover, the hammers deliver mid-range power at a surprisingly low price. Another strong selling point of this tool is the rubber grip, which should provide a firm and secure grip while working, making it ideal for tasks that require maximum control.

The user benefits from a sleek, comfortable ergonomic design as well as a significantly reduced weight of only 3.5 pounds. This tool has an extremely low vibration level of 4.2 m/s thanks to the multi-patented exhaust system, which provides user comfort. The case includes a 5-piece chisel set and a quick-change retainer.

Best Less Vibration: Ingersoll Rand 119MAXK Long Barrel Air Hammer Kit

Ingersoll Rand 119MAXK Long Barrel Air Hammer Kit

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If you are looking for a professional air hammer, Ingersoll Rand 119MAXK Long Barrel Air Hammer Kit including 5 chisels should be the top list potential product. The 119MAX model from Ingersoll Rand is the one you need. This is a lightweight, quiet, and strong air hammer that delivers remarkable performance and power at a price. It's 18% shorter, 5% lighter than the 118MAX, and has a 15% higher power output than ordinary air hammers.

119MAXK is ideal for exhaust and front-end repair and general bolt cutting, pin driving, and body shearing. The hammers are designed specifically for automotive maintenance, large trucks, and MRO. These tools are made to withstand the harshest conditions, such as cutting nuts, pins, rusted exhaust pipes, jammed bearings, etc...

Meanwhile, the anti-vibration system reduces vibration by up to 30%, avoiding tiredness in your arms after extended use. The anti-slip grip also has a shock-absorbent construction, which helps to reduce strain while keeping your hands from slipping.

FAQs

1. How hard do air hammers hit?

Good air hammer models will have a BPMS of 2,000 or higher, with some of the more powerful models reaching 3,000 BPM. The Blows Per Minute (BPM) scale is commonly used to measure the speed of an air hammer (BPM). An air hammer with a high BPM and a long stroke can be one of the most powerful units available, as well as one of the most expensive.

2. What does BPM mean?

The abbreviation BPM stands for Blows Per Minute. The number of times (cycles) the piston goes back and forth (reciprocates) within the air hammer is referred to as this term. The harder a tool hits the chisel, the lower its BPMs are. In other words, a lower BPM means the tool has more impact or cutting power.

3. Can you use an air hammer to break concrete?

Air hammers have a powerful and fast-moving chisel. As a result, concrete can be easily broken with an air hammer. All you have to do now is find an air hammer model that will work for your project. An air hammer, like most power tools, is a versatile tool that comes in a compact package. Do not underestimate the power of an air hammer; the force it can generate, especially when coupled with a sharp chisel, can easily cause serious injury.

4. How much does an air hammer cost?

The price ranges from $50 to $800. The values will be depending on the brand, material, BPM rate, and so on. Additionally, users should consider purchasing an air hammer or an air hammer kit that includes all necessary bits. Of course, the kit will be more expensive, but the user may not be able to use it all.

Air Hammer Buying Guide

Most air hammers can be fitted with a variety of tips. These include hammer tips, for shaping and smoothing, and chisel tips, for scoring or cutting. Pneumatic tools are rated using several metrics: Free Speed (RPM), Air Pressure (psi/bar), Air Consumption (cfm/scfm or m3/min), Horse Power (hp), and spindle size. Each individual tool has its own specific requirements which determine its compatibility with air compressor systems.

Before buying an air hammer, consider these important factors:

• Blows Per Minute (BPM): BPM is the number of those cycles that the piston pushes it to hit the hammer and return per minute. Compressed air enters the barrel and makes the piston go back and forth several thousand times in a single minute. The lower the number of BPM the stronger the impact of the hammer;
• Revolutions Per Minute (RPM): is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It states the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis. It is used as a measure of the rotational speed of a mechanical component. In other words, it is how many times something rotates every minute. It is used as a measure of how fast a machine is turning. So if a motor is turning at 100 rpm it means that for every minute the motor is running it makes 100 complete turns.
• Barrel size: To accommodate pistons with a certain stroke length, an air hammer can have a short barrel, a medium barrel, or a long barrel.
  • Short barreled air hammers with low cfm are suitable for light work that require dexterity and control rather than sheer power, such as cutting through sheet metal and body panels.
  • Medium and long-barrel air impact hammers are suitable for heavy-duty tasks.They tend to be heavier and are often more powerful, harder to control, and prone to more vibration and louder operation.
• Stroke length: Stroke length is the distance the piston travels with each cycle, and this figure is usually given in terms of inches. A typical, medium-duty air hammer will have a stroke length of 2-5/8 inches and can go up to 3 inches. The longer the stroke length, the higher the piston's velocity at the end of one stroke cycle, and the more power it can deliver to the chisel.
• Compressor/Tank Size: An air compressor and air hammer perform professional work, maintenance, and repair tasks easier and faster. Compressor tank size, motor horsepower (hp), air volume output (CFM), and air pressure (psi) must be sufficient to operate the air hammer. The volume of air the compressor can produce (CFM) and the air pressure contained in the tank (psi) are the most important considerations. These specifications are typically marked on the tank’s label. Each air impact hammer requires a minimal CFM (cubic feet per minute) at a prescribed psi (pounds per square inch) to properly operate at full efficiency.

Most air hammers/chisels require around 4 cfm of airflow to operate on a continuous basis.

• Attachments: (hammer and/or chisel tips included or optional)

Popular Brands of Air Hammer?

Ingersoll Rand: Steady producing quality products since 1871, Ingersoll Rand is a top player in the manufacturing industry. The Irish-American company deals in air solutions, tools, material handling, and so on. Ingersoll Rand air hammers are designed with maximum efficiency in mind - ensuring that the tool does the work, not you. They will deliver the punch you need to get the job done fast and comfortably, including exhaust and front-end jobs, general bolt cutting, pin driving, and body shearing work.

DeWalt: This manufacturer doesn’t need any introduction; you’ve probably walked past one of their products in a hardware store. It's a trusted American brand and a subsidiary of Black & Decker. They are known for manufacturing quality power tools and hand tools for construction, manufacturing, and woodworking industries.

Sunex: This manufacturing company has been running for over 40 years, with a specialty in the production of innovative tools for the automotive market as well as commercial and industrial segments.

Chicago Pneumatic: Chicago Pneumatic is a brand name in the pneumatic tool industry which has a history traced back to 1889. For decades, Chicago Pneumatic has had a heart for the general industry and matches your highest demands with the right solutions. While our history and general product offer provide you with a general background of our brand, the principles, and technologies section will familiarize you with the practical side of our products. This gives you the right know-how and confidence to take your business to the next level. It is simple, really. You have work to do, customers to serve. Chicago Pneumatic is there to help you get the job done, without compromise.

AIRCAT: The AIRCAT line represents the most significant advances in the performance of pneumatic power tools in nearly 30 years. Founded in 1998, our tool line has a substantially reduced level of noise while retaining more power and torque. AIRCAT also incorporates an ergonomically engineered handle design to relieve stress and fatigue on the operator’s hands, wrists, and arms. AIRCAT is committed to product innovation, high-quality levels, high service levels, and continued development and expansion of the AIRCAT, NITROCAT, and VIBROTHERM DRIVE brands.

Conclusion

Above is a top list of the most powerful air hammers that you can consider. Like most power tools, the best air chisel is a powerful tool packed into a handy kit. Do not underestimate an air hammer – the pressure it can exert will easily cause serious harm, especially with a sharp chisel attached.

Always wear protective eye gear and gloves when working with air hammers, especially if you are cutting or chiseling metal or stone. Never operate an air hammer in areas with suspended dust, combustible gas, or any area where a spark can trigger an explosion.