Knowing The Basics Helps Every Hand Tool User

A basic knowledge of a striking or struck tool’s design is helpful for using it properly and safely, according to the Hand Tools Institute (HTI), a trade association of American and Canadian manufacturers of quality hand tools.

The faces of striking and struck tools are designed to direct the force of a blow to the center or body of the tool where it can be absorbed. Off-center blows send the shock along the sides of a tool where there is insufficient backup material. Rather than cushioning the blow, the effect is shearing which can be dangerous.

Struck tools for cutting have edges designed for maximum cut and durability by means of the angle and thickness of the cutting edge.

Many failures and possible injury are caused by dull cutting edge because the tool can no longer function as it was intended.

Next to the common nail hammer, perhaps the most widely used type is the ball pein hammer which, by its design, underlines the importance of selecting the right tool for a specific job.

The ball pein hammer has a rounded, slightly crowned striking face with bevelled edges and a round, ball-shaped pein on the opposite end of the head.

Ball pein hammers of the proper size are designed for striking chisels and punches and for riveting, shaping and straightening unhardened metal.

When used for striking a struck tool, the ball pein hammer’s face should have a diameter at least 3/8 inches larger than the face of the struck tool

Using the ball pein hammer safely means always striking squarely with the hammer’s striking face parallel to the struck surface. Glancing blows should be avoided to minimize chipping the hammer’s face.

Never strike with the side or cheek of the hammer.

According to HTI, the most important safety rule for all striking and struck tools is the use of safety goggles.

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