Clear something up regarding air hammer

Wile E Coyote · 01-08-08, 01:04 PM

Looking to confirm if a cheap HF or Northern Tools air hammer will accept a needler attachment as is?
I see the combo kits, which both stores carry, that are sold w/ both chisel points and a needler attachment. Just don't know if there is something unique about that kit's particular air hammer nose.

Here's the attachment:
Northern Industrial Air Needle Scaler Replacement | Air Needle Scalers | Northern Tool + Equipment

Here's the combo kit:
Northern Industrial Air Hammer Combo | Air Hammers | Northern Tool + Equipment

And here's the air hammer I have and want to use as a needler:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Anyone BTDT, and have input?

If this doesn't work as I intend, I understand I can get a dedicated needler that's beefier and would likely work better, I'd just spend a lot of time waiting for my 110v compressor to catch up with 12 cfm.

Edit: Yes, I did email the question to Northern Tool, just haven't heard back yet.

RavenTai · 01-11-08, 12:17 PM

what is the shank size of your air hammer? the most common is .401", there is also a .498" that I have only seen in larger rivet guns, never in an air hammer, they list the shank size on that scaler as .375", I have never seen a 3/8" shank before makes me wonder if it is a type-o.

Wile E Coyote · 01-12-08, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenTai

what is the shank size of your air hammer? the most common is .401", there is also a .498" that I have only seen in larger rivet guns, never in an air hammer, they list the shank size on that scaler as .375", I have never seen a 3/8" shank before makes me wonder if it is a type-o.

Thanks so much for your reply. Yeah, they must have typo'd the shank dia.

I never heard back from Northern Tools about this question. I just spent a few mins studying the pics in the above links, and I've come to my own conclusion.

Looking at the combo kit, I see the black barrel is longer, because there is an extension/adapter that allows the exchange of the chisel head, or the needler head.
My air hammer body will not fit the needler attachment, as it does not have this extra adapter part. I just went out and confirm this.

Oh well, just gonna order a dedicated needle scaler and get on with my frame refreshening.

MoJ · 01-13-08, 07:37 AM

A little off topic but how well does your $5.99 air hammer work?

Wile E Coyote · 01-13-08, 09:14 AM

Surprisingly, it does just fine for a rarely used hobbyist's needs. I think I'd kill it if I used it regularly.

RavenTai · 01-13-08, 09:56 AM

the longer barrel is more about what kind of "air hammer" it is than fitting attachments, longer barrel hits harder and has a slower tempo,

2x gun

4x gun

7x gun

I don't like the cheap air hammers, they have a light blow and the triggers have no or very little tease, but I am comparing them to $300 rivet guns,

Wile E Coyote · 01-13-08, 12:15 PM

Dern tool snobs! hehe
Thanks, but I was referring to the longer barrel being due to the presence of the adapter, I understand the larger piston present in the longer barrels allows for a slower, harder hit.

Edit:
I was referencing my conclusion from the exploded views avail on HF's manual pdf. I was wrong.

I just edited because I poked around Northern Tool and their manual clearly shows the needle scaler screwing onto the end of the barrel just as the chisel retaining spring would.

Another home run for cheap bastids everywhere!
I do appreciate your time, RTai.

RavenTai · 01-13-08, 02:58 PM

Glad to help,

when you earn your living with a tool instead of ocational hobby use quality becomes important.

01-08-08, 01:04 PM	#1
Wile E Coyote IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ Posts: 1,228	Clear something up regarding air hammer Looking to confirm if a cheap HF or Northern Tools air hammer will accept a needler attachment as is? I see the combo kits, which both stores carry, that are sold w/ both chisel points and a needler attachment. Just don't know if there is something unique about that kit's particular air hammer nose. Here's the attachment: Northern Industrial Air Needle Scaler Replacement \| Air Needle Scalers \| Northern Tool + Equipment Here's the combo kit: Northern Industrial Air Hammer Combo \| Air Hammers \| Northern Tool + Equipment And here's the air hammer I have and want to use as a needler: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices Anyone BTDT, and have input? If this doesn't work as I intend, I understand I can get a dedicated needler that's beefier and would likely work better, I'd just spend a lot of time waiting for my 110v compressor to catch up with 12 cfm. Edit: Yes, I did email the question to Northern Tool, just haven't heard back yet. __________________ ="Are you gonna sit there on that friggin computer all day or what?" The desert dwellin, roadrunner chasin, soooper-genius! '90 FJ 62, '08 Scion head unit, chopped quarters and rockers, bedlined exterior, and mostly stock. My soft wheeler and DD. '85 Dodge Ramcharger a little built, and a little beat. My hard wheeler. Last edited by Wile E Coyote; 01-08-08 at 01:10 PM.

01-11-08, 12:17 PM	#2
RavenTai Ability follows Interest Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Georgia TLCA# 14809 Posts: 5,364	what is the shank size of your air hammer? the most common is .401", there is also a .498" that I have only seen in larger rivet guns, never in an air hammer, they list the shank size on that scaler as .375", I have never seen a 3/8" shank before makes me wonder if it is a type-o. __________________ 1988 FJ62 on 33s 1996 LX450 on 33s I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale. Thomas Jefferson

01-13-08, 09:14 AM	#5
Wile E Coyote IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ Posts: 1,228	Surprisingly, it does just fine for a rarely used hobbyist's needs. I think I'd kill it if I used it regularly. __________________ ="Are you gonna sit there on that friggin computer all day or what?" The desert dwellin, roadrunner chasin, soooper-genius! '90 FJ 62, '08 Scion head unit, chopped quarters and rockers, bedlined exterior, and mostly stock. My soft wheeler and DD. '85 Dodge Ramcharger a little built, and a little beat. My hard wheeler.

01-13-08, 09:56 AM	#6
RavenTai Ability follows Interest Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Georgia TLCA# 14809 Posts: 5,364	the longer barrel is more about what kind of "air hammer" it is than fitting attachments, longer barrel hits harder and has a slower tempo, 2x gun 4x gun 7x gun I don't like the cheap air hammers, they have a light blow and the triggers have no or very little tease, but I am comparing them to $300 rivet guns, __________________ 1988 FJ62 on 33s 1996 LX450 on 33s I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale. Thomas Jefferson

01-13-08, 12:15 PM	#7
Wile E Coyote IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ Posts: 1,228	Dern tool snobs! hehe Thanks, but I was referring to the longer barrel being due to the presence of the adapter, I understand the larger piston present in the longer barrels allows for a slower, harder hit. Edit: I was referencing my conclusion from the exploded views avail on HF's manual pdf. I was wrong. I just edited because I poked around Northern Tool and their manual clearly shows the needle scaler screwing onto the end of the barrel just as the chisel retaining spring would. Another home run for cheap bastids everywhere! I do appreciate your time, RTai. __________________ ="Are you gonna sit there on that friggin computer all day or what?" The desert dwellin, roadrunner chasin, soooper-genius! '90 FJ 62, '08 Scion head unit, chopped quarters and rockers, bedlined exterior, and mostly stock. My soft wheeler and DD. '85 Dodge Ramcharger a little built, and a little beat. My hard wheeler. Last edited by Wile E Coyote; 01-13-08 at 12:24 PM.

01-13-08, 07:37 AM	#4
MoJ Present Join Date: Oct 2003 TLCA# 14112 Posts: 2,668	A little off topic but how well does your $5.99 air hammer work?

01-13-08, 02:58 PM	#8
RavenTai Ability follows Interest Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Georgia TLCA# 14809 Posts: 5,364	Glad to help, when you earn your living with a tool instead of ocational hobby use quality becomes important. __________________ 1988 FJ62 on 33s 1996 LX450 on 33s I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale. Thomas Jefferson

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