A handheld power tool that uses compressed air to drive a piston back and forth, delivering rapid impacts to an attached chisel or bit. Tradespeople use it to chip away concrete, cut through rusted bolts, or shape masonry. The tool requires a continuous supply of pressurized air from a dedicated compressor to maintain its striking force.
Heard on the job
Grab the air hammer and a flat chisel to knock that old mortar off the slab.
Insider tip
Always drop a few drops of pneumatic oil into the air inlet before your shift to keep the internal piston from seizing.
Also heard as
- pneumatic hammer
- air chisel
Do not mix it up with
- Jackhammer: An air hammer is a small handheld tool for precision chipping, while a jackhammer is a heavy floor-breaking tool operated with both hands.