A shop tool designed for brute force. Air hammers hook up to a standard compressor line and deliver thousands of blows per minute. They are used to shear off rusted rivet heads, separate stubborn ball joints, or break loose exhaust pipes. If you are trying to cut through a floor pan or pop a rusted control arm free on an old Chevy truck, this tool makes short work of it. Always keep your air pressure around 90 PSI. Too much pressure will ruin the internal seals.
Mechanic Glossary
Air Hammer
A pneumatic hand tool that uses compressed air to drive a piston back and forth, striking attachments like chisels or punches at high speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
This usually happens because of low air pressure, a kinked hose, or a lack of tool oil. Put a few drops of pneumatic oil into the air inlet before each use.
Yes, it is very effective for driving out stubborn wheel studs. Use a blunt punch attachment and hold it straight against the stud.
Always wear safety glasses and ear protection. The tool is loud, and metal chips fly off when chiseling.
They are the same tool. The name air chisel refers to using the tool with a chisel attachment.