How To Select Struck Tools – For Safety & Performance

While there are many decisions facing the home handyperson before tackling a project, probably the most important step of all, according to the Hand Tools Institute (HTI), is selecting the right tool for the job.

HTI points out that many do-it-yourselfers not only are unaware of the numerous jobs that can be performed by struck of hammered tools, but they are completely oblivious to the dangers of using the wrong tool for the job. This same unawareness also deprives the user of the satisfaction or doing a better, easier job with the correct hand tool.

Struck or hammered tools, including chisels, punches, star drills, and wedges, can perform a variety of chores such as cutting brick, chiseling wood, chipping mortar, punching holes, splitting wood, drilling masonry holes or shearing rivets and bolts. However, each struck tool performs a specific job.

To help the beginner in assembling a starter set out of struck tools, HTI offers these suggestions for selection and safer usage:

A set of two cold chisels (3/8" and ¾") – Cold chisels are used for cutting, shaping, and removing metal softer than the cutting edge itself, such as the cast iron, wrought iron, steel, bronze, copper, etc. Never use stone or concrete. Size is important: Cutting edge should be twice the diameter of bolt being cut. For a more advanced set acquire ½" and 1" sizes.

Punch Set (3) – Punches are used to mark and punch holes in the metal and other material softer than the punch end. Also for driving and removing pins, rivets and aligning holes in different sections of materials, Recommend center, prick and solid punch for starter and later advancing to backing out, pin, and drift punches, and a rivet buster.

Star Drill Set (2) – Used for drilling holes in masonry (stone, concrete, brick, etc.). For a start, recommend at least two sizes – ½" and 1". Should be struck with a hand drilling hammer or small sledge and rotated after each blow. Never strike with a common mail hammer.

All-Steel Wood Chisels (2) – Used for rough heavy duty wood cutting – as opposed to lighter work of regular woodworker’s chisels. Not to be used on metal. Recommend at least two sizes – ½" and 1" for a basic set and filling in later with additional sizes.

Wedge (5 pound) – Used for splitting logs, firewood, kindling, staves, etc. Must be struck with sledge or woodchippers maul with a larger striking face than the wedge. Never use an axe as a substitute for a wedge.

Nail sets – Used to countersink nails so that nail hole can then be filled with putty, plastic wood or other filling material resulting in a smooth surface. Recommend a 2/32" nail set for a start, later adding 1/32" and 1/8" sizes.

For more specialized tasks around the home HTI suggests you might want to consider the following struck tools and their application:

Brick Chisel – Use for scoring and cutting brick and masonry block. Must be used with a hand drilling hammer or small sledge – never with a bricklayers hammer. Never use a brick chisel on metal.

Floor Chisel – For rough cutting and trimming of both hard and soft woods. For rough, heavy duty wood cutting use the all-steel wood chisel mentioned above.

Mason’s Chisel – A variety of chisels offered for doing such jobs as cutting and trimming cement block and brick, or cutting into either hard or soft stone. Must be used with a hand drilling hammer or a small sledge.

The Institute stresses that, in addition to proper selection and safer usage, the constant safety rule is the safety goggles should be worn whenever struck tools are used.

Another safety reminder is to keep struck tools in top condition. The cutting edge for tools such as chisels and star drills should be kept sharp (for both safety and performance) by the use of an oil stone or file. A worn out or damaged tool can cause injury and a botched job. If the tool shows chips, dents, cracks, or excessive wear, it should be discarded.

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