A machine tool is disclosed. The machine tool has a tool receptacle for receiving a tool on a working axis, a housing, and a striking mechanism. An impact stop is provided for a beater or an intermediate beater. An impact absorber has two polymer-based absorber rings that are offset axially to one another and are disposed so that they overlap radially and has two iron-based disks disposed axially between the absorber rings.

An improved pile hammer provides a cylinder, such as one with a uniform interior diameter wall and uses a piston ram to cycle up and down therein to contact an anvil on a downstroke. The anvil preferably provides a cavity to both lessen the weight and improve upward force on the ram for the upstroke. An air inlet is preferably located above an air outlet which was not possible with prior art designs. An air reservoir can be located above and external to the wall in the cylinder.