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  • Crowder Supply · Buyer’s Guide

    Hit Harder Per Pound With the Right Rivet Buster

    Rivet busters are the light-heavyweights of demolition — breaker-class blows from a tool you can hold horizontally. This guide walks the five decisions that pick one — stroke length, air supply, handle style, tool steel, and the oil-and-air kit — then shows the best model at each stroke with live pricing and a one-PO starter kit.

    See the stroke-by-stroke picks Talk to an expert: 1-888-883-5144
    6–11 in
    Cylinder stroke
    680–1,140
    Impact rate, BPM
    33–50
    Air draw, CFM @ 90 psi
    24–39 lb
    Tool weight
    Full-size class across the live Crowder Supply lineup; the Wizard hybrid runs a 4 in stroke at 1,500 BPM
    Free shippingground to the lower 48 on every rivet buster
    5 brandsAPT, Chicago Pneumatic, Atlas Copco, Tamco/Toku, Texas Pneumatic
    11X steel + partschisels, moils, punches & springs on the shelf
    Call the experts1-888-883-5144

    Start With the Job, Not the Catalog

    A rivet buster is a handheld pneumatic demolition tool that drives a free-flying piston through a 6 to 11 inch stroke to hammer interchangeable chisels, punches, and moil points — breaker-class hitting power from a 24 to 39 lb tool you can hold horizontally.

    Bridge deck repair

    Partial-depth removal around rebar, where deck specs limit tool weight and a paving breaker is too much hammer.
    Go 8 in, 30 lb — APT 133

    Horizontal + elevated demo

    Walls, beams, pier caps, and overhangs — work a 60-90 lb paving breaker physically cannot reach.
    Go 8 in stroke — CP 4608

    Tank + plate cutting

    Opening steel tanks, ripping plate, and cutting structural sections with side-cut chisels and rippers.
    Go 6 in stroke — CP 4160

    Rivet + bolt removal

    Shearing rivet heads and driving shanks on bridges, railcars, and historic structures — the original job.
    Go 6 in + punch — CP 4160

    Breaking floors all day?

    Straight-down slab and floor demolition is paving breaker territory — a T-handle buster covers it only in a pinch.
    Go paving breaker

    The 5 Decisions, In Order

    Work them top to bottom and the model almost picks itself. Stroke sets the blow, your compressor has to feed it, the handle fits the posture, and the last two keep it hitting.

    Stroke length

    The defining spec. Longer stroke = heavier single blow at a lower rate.

    6 inRivets, lighter concrete, tight access – CP 4160
    8 inBread-and-butter deck and demo stroke – CP 4608
    9 inToku jumbo — long stroke on 36 CFM
    11 inMax force for thick, reinforced work – APT 1133

    Air supply

    Beat the tool’s CFM with headroom at 90 psi at the tool.

    33-36Toku RB-110 / RB-91HP, small compressors
    42-46APT 633/133, TX 6-8 in, CP, TEX 14
    48-50APT 1133, TX13311 long-stroke
    Hose3/4 in ID; whip hose at the tool

    Handle style

    Pick for the posture of the work, not the catalog photo.

    D-handleInside trigger, the general demo grip – CP 4608 D
    Open gripOutside trigger — underdeck visibility – TX1338 OT
    T-handleDownward floor work, upright posture – APT 133 T

    Steel + retention

    Every buster here runs jumbo 11X steel — CP’s .890 x 1.125 in taper is the same 11X shank.

    11XNarrow, side-cut, moil, ripper, punch, blank
    NoseSleeves + bumper + retainer with lock spring
    RuleNever run without the retainer in place

    Oil + air kit

    Lubrication is the number one life factor on a buster.

    OilerIn-line on the whip, rock drill oil
    Whip6 ft whip hose absorbs vibration
    SparesRetainer spring + bumper in the box

    Crowder Supply – Product Knowledge

    How a Rivet Buster Works

    A rivet buster shares its cycle with a chipping hammer — a free-flying piston, driven by compressed air, hammering the back of a chisel — but everything around the cycle is heavier, and the nose that holds the steel is a positive mechanical lock rather than a spring. That is what lets it shear rivets, cut plate, and break structural concrete.

    Exploded parts diagram of a pneumatic rivet buster, showing the D-handle and throttle lever, air inlet bushing, throttle valve, valve case assembly, cylinder, piston, upper and lower sleeves, bumper, exhaust deflector, lock collar, and retainer with lock spring

    Exploded view of a CP 4611 D rivet buster, labeled by function. Fasteners, seals, and pins are omitted for clarity.

    The operating cycle

    1. Air enters at the inletSqueezing the throttle lever opens the throttle valve. Compressed air passes the air-inlet bushing and runs down the throttle tube into the tool.
    2. The valve case ports the airA single free valve inside the valve case has no linkage and no timing gear. Pressure alone flips it, sending air alternately behind and ahead of the piston.
    3. The piston accelerates down the cylinderThe piston is connected to nothing. All of its mass and velocity arrive at the far end as impact energy rather than as a steady push.
    4. The piston strikes the tool shankIts face hits the anvil end of the chisel or cutter. The shank is guided by the upper and lower sleeves and held in the nose by the retainer, lock collar, and lock spring.
    5. Exhaust, then returnAs the piston clears the exhaust ports, pressure shifts, the valve flips, and air drives the piston back for the next blow. Spent air leaves through the exhaust deflector, away from the operator.
    Why the nose is different: a chipping hammer holds its steel with a spring retainer. A rivet buster hits far harder, so it uses a positive lock instead: the lock collar and lock spring clamp the retainer over the tool shank. The bumper behind the sleeves absorbs over-travel. Run the tool without the steel pressed firmly into the work, and that energy goes into the bumper, sleeves, and retainer instead of the workpiece.

    What you are looking at

    D-handle & throttle lever — the grip and the trigger that admits air
    Air inlet bushing — where the whip hose connects to the tool
    Throttle valve — meters air on the operator’s squeeze; teasing control
    Valve case assembly — the free valve that ports air around the piston
    Cylinder — the long barrel the piston flies down; sets the stroke
    Piston — the hammer; its mass and stroke set blow energy
    Upper sleeve — guides the anvil end of the steel where the piston strikes
    Lower sleeve — locates the shank at the nose, keeping steel aligned with the bore
    Bumper — the sacrificial cushion that absorbs blows the steel does not take
    Exhaust deflector — routes spent air away from the operator
    Lock collar — clamps the retainer closed over the shank
    Retainer & lock spring — keep the steel captive; never run without them
    Consumable — bumper, throttle O-rings, lock spring Frequent wear — lower sleeve, retainer, lock collar Periodic — piston, upper sleeve, valve case Long life — cylinder, D-handle, exhaust deflector

    The Best Buster at Each Stroke

    Five picks spanning the stroke ladder, chosen on the site’s own spec tables for weight, impact rate, and air draw. Prices are live from the store; each links to the full configurator.

    6 in · the lightest buster in the class
    Chicago Pneumatic CP 4160 rivet buster
    CP 4160
    from $1,428
    6 in
    stroke
    1,100
    BPM
    44 CFM
    @ 90 psi
    24-25 lb
    tool weight
    Best for: rivet shearing, tank cutting, and lighter concrete — the lowest weight in the category on a 20-1/2 in tool.
    View & configure
    8 in · the bread-and-butter workhorse
    Chicago Pneumatic CP 4608 rivet buster, 8 inch stroke
    CP 4608
    from $1,362
    8 in
    stroke
    1,080
    BPM
    45 CFM
    @ 90 psi
    30-31 lb
    tool weight
    Best for: bridge-deck and general demolition duty at the lowest price in the category, with CP’s CPS teasing throttle.
    View & configure
    8 in · inside or outside trigger
    Texas Pneumatic TX1338 rivet buster with D-handle
    TX1338
    from $1,735
    8 in
    stroke
    960
    BPM
    44 CFM
    @ 90 psi
    30.7 lb
    tool weight
    Best for: underdeck and tight-clearance work — Texas Pneumatic builds it inside-trigger or outside-trigger, USA-made.
    View & configure
    11 in · max force, 3 handles
    APT 1133 pneumatic rivet buster with D-handle, 11 inch stroke
    APT 1133
    from $1,807
    11 in
    stroke
    850
    BPM
    48 CFM
    @ 90 psi
    33-39 lb
    tool weight
    Best for: thick, reinforced sections and maximum per-blow energy — the only 11 in here in D, pistol, and T-handle.
    View & configure
    11 in · small-compressor pick
    Tamco Toku RB-110 rivet buster, jumbo 11 inch stroke
    Toku RB-110
    from $1,672
    11 in
    stroke
    680
    BPM
    33 CFM
    @ 90 psi
    35 lb
    tool weight
    Best for: jumbo-stroke hitting on the smallest air supply in the lineup — 33 CFM feeds it where others starve.
    View & configure

    Need the Made-in-USA Tamco RB-133 or the Wizard RB-185D? See the full rivet buster category.

    Full Spec Matrix

    The five featured busters side by side. Hit the plus below to expand every rivet buster Crowder Supply carries. Every figure is from the model’s own spec table on crowdersupply.com; dashes mean the maker does not publish that figure.

    ModelHandlesStrokeWeightImpact BPMAir CFMInlet
    CP 4160D, pistol6 in24-25 lb1,100441/2 F NPT
    CP 4608D, pistol8 in30-31 lb1,080451/2 F NPT
    TX1338D, open grip8 in30.7 lb960441/2 F NPT
    APT 1133D, pistol, T11 in33-39 lb850483/8-1/2 NPT
    Toku RB-110D, pistol11 in35 lb680333/8 F NPT

    The Complete Order, One PO

    Everything to put an APT 133 to work on day one — buster, steel, air line, oil, and a spare retention spring — every item matched to the 11X jumbo shank and 1/2 in NPT inlet. Change any option before adding.

    1
    APT 133 rivet buster

    APT 133 buster

    The 8 in stroke with the highest impact rate in the lineup (1,140 BPM) — the tool the rest of the kit is built around.
    D-handle, 8 in stroke, 1/2 in F NPT inlet
    $1,648
    2
    Rivet buster 11X narrow chisel

    Steel starter pair

    An 11X narrow chisel to cut and an 11X moil point to break — the two steels every buster crew runs first.
    11X jumbo narrow chisel + moil point, 12 in
    $62
    3
    Hose whip with in-line oiler and bent swivel

    Whip hose + oiler

    6 ft heavy-duty whip with a built-in line oiler — vibration relief and lubrication in one piece.
    1/2 in whip, 4 oz oiler, 1/2 in MPT bent swivel
    $142
    4
    Rock drill oil, 1 gallon

    The oil

    Rock drill oil for the in-line oiler. Lubrication is the number one life factor on a rivet buster.
    Pneumatic tool + rock drill oil, 1 gal
    $42
    5
    Universal rivet buster retainer spring

    Spare retention

    The universal retainer spring — the cheap part that keeps the steel captive. Never run without it.
    Universal rivet buster spring, single
    $5
    Full kit: $1,899
    Add items above and your cart total updates here.
    View cart Checkout
    16
    rivet buster models in the lineup
    $0
    ground shipping on every rivet buster
    5
    brands with steel and parts support
    1 call
    to a person who runs these tools
    Chicago PneumaticCP 4160, 4608, 4611 — the CPS control system and wear-indicating sleeves.Shop CP → APT633, 133, 1133 — highest impact rates, T-handle options, bridge-spec weights.Shop APT → Texas PneumaticTX133 in 6, 8, and 11 in — inside or outside trigger, made in USA.Shop Texas Pneumatic → Atlas CopcoTEX 14 D — the pick with published sound and vibration data.Shop Atlas Copco → Tamco / TokuUSA-made RB-133, low-CFM jumbo strokes, and the Wizard hybrid.Shop Tamco/Toku →

    Rivet Buster FAQ

    What size air compressor does a rivet buster need?

    Plan on 33 to 50 CFM at 90 psi, depending on the model – the Toku RB-110 draws 33 CFM while the TX13311 draws 50. Your compressor must deliver the tool’s rated CFM with headroom, at 90 psi measured at the tool, through a 3/4 in ID hose (1/2 in is the bare minimum). Undersized air shows up as weak, slow blows long before the tool complains any other way.

    What is the difference between a rivet buster and a chipping hammer?

    Stroke and retention. A rivet buster runs a 6 to 11 inch piston stroke – two to five times a chipping hammer‘s 1 to 4 inches – so each blow arrives far heavier, and its nose locks the steel in with a retainer instead of a spring. Chipping hammers (8-22 lb) suit surface chipping and scaling; rivet busters (24-39 lb) shear rivets, cut tanks, and break structural concrete. For heavy downward slab work, step up again to a paving breaker. For further information, visit our choosing a concrete breaking tool page.

    What stroke length should I choose?

    Match the stroke to the material: 6 in for rivet cutting, lighter concrete, and tight access; 8 in for general bridge-deck and demolition duty – the most-specified stroke; 11 in for thick, reinforced sections needing maximum force per blow (Toku’s 9 in jumbo gives long-stroke hitting on only 36 CFM). If a tool is not through the section in 10 to 20 seconds of steady work, you need more stroke.

    What tool steel do rivet busters take?

    Jumbo 11X shank steel across the whole lineup – narrow chisels, side-cut chisels, moil points, rippers, backout punches, and blanks all interchange. The .890 x 1.125 in tapered shank listed on the CP 4608 and CP 4611 is the same 11X jumbo shank, so one steel shelf serves every buster Crowder stocks. Wide-blade and 24 in-plus steels need the lower split bushing.

    Can I use a rivet buster overhead?

    No – a rivet buster is the wrong tool for overhead work. The long-stroke blow and 24-39 lb weight are meant to be driven down or held horizontally against the work. For overhead and vertical-up chipping, use a light chipping hammer sized for the job. Rivet busters shine precisely where breakers fail: horizontal, elevated, and under-deck work at or below chest height.

    Do people still use rivet busters on actual rivets?

    Yes. Cutting and driving rivets on historic bridges, railcars, and tanks is still the tool’s namesake job – a 6 in buster with a backout punch shears the head and drives the shank in seconds. But most rivet busters sold today earn their keep as the light-heavyweight of concrete demolition: bridge-deck repair, tank cutting, and elevated work where a 60-90 lb paving breaker cannot go.

    Ready to hit harder per pound?

    Every stroke in stock with free shipping on all rivet busters, one 11X steel shelf that fits the whole lineup, and a specialist a phone call away to size it right the first time.

    Shop all rivet busters Call 1-888-883-5144