Rivet Busters
Rivet busters bust rivets, cut bolts, and demolish steel on bridges, ship hulls, tanks, and structures with concentrated pneumatic impact. Sized by stroke 6, 8, and 11 in. they run .866 in. jumbo (11X) hex steel at 720–1,100 blows per minute. The CP 4611, Tamco RB-110, and Atlas Copco TEX 14 lead the line, with lighter RB-133 and Texas Pneumatic TX-133-6 tools for close work. Shop Chicago Pneumatic, APT, Texas Pneumatic, and Toku, and fit each with rivet buster chisels and bits. New to rivet busters? See our rivet buster buyer’s guide. Free shipping on every rivet buster.
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Steel and Bridge Demolition
Rivet busters run 42–52 CFM at 90 psi off an air compressor, driving .866 in. jumbo (11X) hex steel to shear rivets and bolts and cut plate. Fit the tool with rivet buster chisels, points, and bits — moil points, narrow chisels, rippers, and punches all take the 11X shank. For lighter concrete chipping, see chipping hammers.
Rivet Buster Comparison
Stroke length is the main choice: a 6 in. stroke is lightest and best in tight quarters, 8 in. balances reach and weight, and 11 in. delivers the most power for heavy rivets and plate. All run .866 in. jumbo hex steel. Air figures are consumption at 90 psi.
| Model | Brand | Stroke (in) | BPM | Air (CFM) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP 4160 | Chicago Pneumatic | 6 | 1100 | 44 | 24–25 |
| Tamco RB-91HP | Tamco/Toku | 6 | 1100 | 44 | 28 |
| Texas Pneumatic TX-133-6 | Texas Pneumatic | 6 | 1100 | 44 | 29 |
| APT M633CN | APT | 6 | 1100 | 42–46 | 28 |
| CP 4608 | Chicago Pneumatic | 8 | 1080 | 45 | 30–31 |
| Tamco RB-133 | Tamco/Toku | 8 | 960 | 46 | 30 |
| Texas Pneumatic TX-133-8 | Texas Pneumatic | 8 | 960 | 46 | 31 |
| APT M133CN | APT | 8 | 1100 | 42–46 | 30 |
| Atlas Copco TEX 14 | Atlas Copco | 8 | 900 | 44 | — |
| CP 4611 | Chicago Pneumatic | 11 | 720 | 45 | 33–34 |
| Tamco RB-110 | Tamco/Toku | 11 | 850 | 50 | 33 |
| Texas Pneumatic TX-133-11 | Texas Pneumatic | 11 | 850 | 50 | 34 |
| APT M1133CN | APT | 11 | 850 | 48–52 | 33 |
Most models offer D-handle, pistol-grip, or T-handle versions — see each product page. Toku also offers gooseneck RB-91HP and RB-110 for reaching into recesses.
Common Questions
What is a rivet buster? A rivet buster is a heavy pneumatic demolition tool that drives a chisel or point to shear off rivets and bolts and cut structural steel — standard for bridge, ship, tank, and steel-structure teardown. It uses .866 in. jumbo (11X) hex steel, larger than chipping hammer steel.
What stroke length do I need? A 6 in. stroke is lightest for overhead and tight work; 8 in. is the all-round choice; 11 in. hits hardest for big rivets and heavy plate. Heavier strokes weigh more and use more air, so match the stroke to the bulk of the work.
What bits fit a rivet buster? Rivet busters take .866 in. jumbo (11X) shank steel — moil points, narrow chisels, rippers, and punches. Shop the full set on the rivet buster chisels page.
What size compressor runs a rivet buster? These draw 42–52 CFM at 90 psi, so a compressor rated 55+ CFM keeps up with a single tool. See air compressors.