Astro Tools 498K 0.498" Shank "THOR" Air Hammer/Riveter.

Thor hits like a champ, well not when I first received it, I didn’t want to return it or send it for the warranty repairs and not have a tool for a month or even a week, I needed to use it with in a couple of days of receiving it, I had some ball joints and wheel bearings I needed to bust out, so I emailed them and got a response next day, by the falling day and a couple of emails with a video I got a call from one of their technicians who walked me through it, it was a very simple repair, the hammer was assembled too tight I took it apart lubed it real good with some air tool oil reassembled it and it’s been working like a champ every time I used it, I have 3 air hammers now 1 very small assembled from 2 different air hammers hits fairly week but good for very tight spaces and once in a blue moon, my second one it my go to for all kinds of medium to heavy work including some tie rods but not all because those things can be really stuck, and now I have Thor, I’m yet to test it against a co-workers Snap on or any other tool truck air hammer including IR, with that said I have used it on every ball joint, wheel hub, tie rod rod end, bolts, nuts, I’ve only had it for a few months now but it’s been awesome, and loud, I can use other air hammers for a quick 123 hit with out ear plugs and not have any issues, but this guy is no joke I tried it once and stopped and find me some hearing protection. So far it’s been very much worth the price, it has paid for it self.

I don't write very many reviews but I had to make an exception on this one I had read other reviews about how great air chisel this was and was skeptical as I'm sure most people are about things online. But this thing is an absolute Beast, I mean it is as tough as people say it is an absolute monster it cuts half inch bolts off in several hits. I have never had an air chisel with any type of real power more of a hard vibration with some of the other crap on the market. This thing I will not disappoint it's worth the extra money and make sure you get the right chisels for it because they are the larger diameter and it is necessary for the power that it has. I'm super satisfied with this purchase and would highly recommend it to anybody who has ever tried be arrested parts and bearings and hubs and crap that seem like you just can't get them to move this thing will put you in a different category as far as having the right tools for the job

I WISH I HAD BOUGHT THIS TOOL YEARS AGO. IT IS DEFINITLY A TIME AND LABOR SAVER. YOU MUST HAVE A SOLID SURFACE TO PUSH AGAINST TO ACTIVATE IT BUT THATS GOOD BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY POWERFUL. YOU WILL DEFINITLY NEED TO BUY EXTRA BITS IF YOU USE THE CHEAP ONES BECAUSE THEY WEAR OUT FAST.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: This thing hits hard. I e been a tech for 25 years and this isn’t over the top loud at all. Trigger control is very nice especially for something that hits this hard.

Just received. Did not yet use for a real purpose, but was comparing others, just hitting wood, etc. Old craftsman, Sunex sx243, 3x aircraft rivet gun...comparing dents in the wood..then the 498k broke the block. Way more schwupp. I like having all of them, however, they are all different, and the 498k wouldn't be a real good "only air hammer". It does have a pretty good trigger for how powerful it is. It is easier to use too much throttle in a Hellcat than a Corolla, though..the aircraft 3x is fantastic in that respect, and the old craftsman is awful, simply on/off. This Astro is really pretty good. Just be ready when you go full throttle. I have always liked Astro since having a little die grinder from them in early '90's. When I need something now I'm starting to see if they make it first. Nice air tools, crimpers, etc. Why is a weaker snap-on twice as expensive as this? My whole collection costs less than their one air hammer, and will do more. Try setting a little an470 rivet in thin aluminum with the snap on, or from what I see, driving out a big ball joint. Fail at both. Get this 498k, and something smaller, and have money left over. I suspect that, like their other products, the quality is good and it will be durable. If not, I will update this, count on it.

Just like the title says this thing is a monster but only for a couple hours of work before it's leaking air so bad it won't work. Loved the thing when it did work but I'm 2 for 2 on Astro air tools being junk after a handful of uses. Their air impact was also a beast but blew out the SECOND TIME I used it, the air hammer worked a bit longer but not much. I have multiple air tools and none have ever had a problem with my shop air besides the 2 Astros I have. Maybe the 3rd time would be the charm but I doubt if I ever give Astro another penny for their air tools.

Would use again

I have been super impressed with this air hammer. It literally looks identical to a Chicago Pneumatic CP717 at literally half the cost. We have used both the CP717 and now two of these Thor .498 hammers, and I can tell you I will not waste the money on another CP717 after using this Astro THOR. This has to be the hardest hitting .498 hammer available - and it's affordable! Also, 5 stars to Astro Warranty - our first Thor Air Hammer developed a crack in the housing (honestly due to poor handling and probably dropping the tool on the ground) and they replaced the housing free of charge.

My new favorite air chisel! (I have several) Got the quick change chuck and bits from AP at the same time. Hits hard, but is controllable, great for suspension and heavier items, definitely not a toy like those other ones!

My first review was banned, not allowed because of the profanity, just buy it, it will ____ everything it needs to, the .498 bits will get ____'d, so buy surplus, have bench grinder ready for custom bits from the ____ening. Clean the ____ and swarf leftover in the barrel from the machine process with brake cleaner and wd40 or equivalent BEFORE USE, make sure to humm it out goodlike. i cant be ___'d using hammer these days, this unit saves my shoulder and elbows and time. our shop runs aprox 160 psi shop pressure, with more then likely inadequate li nes,3/8. ear protection = must,eye protection = must, hand protection.. up to you but i have had .498 bits sheer off into my hands...it gets it done. Just buy it.

Sehr schnelle Lieferung.

This thing hits exactly as hard as advertised. Absolute animal. Feed it the air and let things come apart.

Just got it and it doesn't work