[ElWoodTroll]

I converted a couple of Buck Bros (nylon handles) and a mallet tool for use with my air hammer. It didn't take any time at all I'm real happy with the results.
I cut off the business end of the tools that came with the air hammer and drilled the handles of the gouges to accept the shanks. I used JB Weld to attach the shanks to the mallet tool handles.
I'm finishing my troll stump carving with them and it's scary how fast these tools cut through the wood

[Just Carving]

Elwood

Thats a great idea--I never thought that would work--figured the handles would give out before anything. I'm guessing the shank of the chisel/gouge butts up against the shaft of the air tool, and you're using the handles to hold everything in place. I worked with air tools for a long time with the rescue squad. I'm comfortable around them--never like the noise but I was cutting the metal on cars--but there shouldn't be as much noise cutting wood.

Bob L

[ElWoodTroll]

Originally Posted by Just Carving

Elwood

....figured the handles would give out before anything. I'm guessing the shank of the chisel/gouge butts up against the shaft of the air tool, and you're using the handles to hold everything in place
Bob L

There was only about an inch of the shank left so there is quite a gap between the two. I have used everything from mallets to roofing hammers on the Buck Bros and they are impervious to everything except the spade bit I used to drill the handles which cut like butter.
I haven't used them for very long but I expect that it will be a while before the handles fail. I think that, much like the glass bed in a custom hunting rifle, the jb weld acts as a cusion between the metal and wood but time will tell.

[ElWoodTroll]

An interesting feature that I've quickly grown to appreciate is the abilitly to rotate the bit in the air hammer while I'm cutting eliminating the need back off and change position every so often. It takes a little getting used to. Ifind myself "slipping" into the wood once in awhile when using smaller tools

[Just Carving]

You also might find it to be an advantage to be able to turn the body of the tool without having to move the chisel when you get into a tight spot or going around an obstruction.

Have you buried the bit in the wood yet? That might be a pain in wood, I had it happen a few times in mangled sheet metal--not a lot of fun.

I don't know what your regulator is set at, but increasing for really hard wood and decreasing for soft "hits" might be of some help. An in-line regulator near where you are working if the compressor is far away might be helpful.

One of the things I did when I taught vehicle rescue with the air chisel was to have the student make zig zag cuts just by swiveling the body of the tool--both vertically and horizontally in the sheet metal surface of the vehicle we were cutting apart for practice, and also, to cut a continuous circle non-stop just so the student would learn what this tool could do, and that it can be used in a lot of different situations. A lot of times I was able to free up a patient just by using the air chisel or a recip saw without having to drag out the whole arsenal--jaws of life, air bags, portapowers, come-a-long, and so on.

Sorry to drag out the soapbox, but bottom line, like any tool, the more you use it, the more you discover how good it can be for what you're doing. I bet now you'll be able to carve any kind of wood regardless of how hard it is. Just keep them bits sharp, and might be a good idea to keep them clean and dry from moisture over the long haul so you won't have any staining of the wood from rust.

You opened up a can of worms for me Elwood--I gave my nephew all my air chisel stuff when I "retired" from rescue--I'm gonna have to get it back now and cut some logs up! LOL

Bob L

[ElWoodTroll]

Originally Posted by Just Carving

...Have you buried the bit in the wood yet? ...

Yup. especially in soft wood like spruce

Originally Posted by Just Carving

...I don't know what your regulator is set at,

My compressor is just barely large enough to keep the tool running. Something I cobbled together from surplus and boneyards

Originally Posted by Just Carving

......Sorry to drag out the soapbox, ... Just keep them bits sharp,....

Boy you hit that one on the head. I am becoming real intimate with my sharpener

Originally Posted by Just Carving

...You opened up a can of worms for me Elwood--I gave my nephew all my air chisel stuff when I "retired" from rescue--I'm gonna have to get it back now and cut some logs up! LOL

Bob L

LOL! I rarely toss unused tools ( I have thought of tossing the Buck Bros on occasion)