Cold Chisels

Cold Chisels

The cold chisel is a very good example of why it is important to know the pedigree of a tool (i.e.. Where is it made and by whom).

It may seem a simple crude piece of metal, as the quality features of the steel content, the heat treatment and the grinding cannot be seen by the naked eye. However, these features are essential for performance and safety.

One of the most frequent industrial accidents with hand tools is that caused by splintering of an incorrectly treated cold chisel or a chisel used with an incorrectly hardened hammer or the wrong hammer for the job.

 Always ensure that the correct size and type of hammer is used with the selected chisel. A useful guide is to use a hammer with an area of striking face twice that of the chisel head being struck.

 Always use safety glasses when using these tools.

 Always use a quality chisel.

 Always use the correct size chisel for the job.

Standard chisels are usually made from octagonal material whereas alloy chisels or alloy types are usually made from hexagonal material.

Alloy chisels are designed for cutting steel and are recommended for that purpose, but as a result of improved alloy ingredients, they can now be successfully used on building materials, where the special alloy steel will also provide improved performance.

The usage, shapes and features of the various chisels are indicated in the catalogue illustrations and descriptions.

Bolsters

The brick bolster (for cutting bricks) is much thicker than the electricians' bolster which is for cutting out switch boxes etc.
Cold chisel based, but with a very much wider cutting edge. They are manufactured to different specifications and should not be interchanged.

Chisel bits

For cutting and chipping masonry or brickwork.

Combs

For roughing and keying surfaces prior to re-finishing.

Cross Cut

For cutting key-ways and channels.

Diamond Point

For cleaning out corners of key-ways etc.

Dome Head

Describes the widened spread of the head of the chisel designed to avoid mushrooming.

Flat Chisel

For cutting and chipping.

Mushrooming

Refers to the spreading of the striking head during use.

This can be dangerous to the hand and should be filed or ground away.

In removing this the head of the chisel should not be allowed to become hot which could affect the hardness.

Plugging Chisels

For removing mortar or cement from between bricks.

Round Nose Or Half Round

For cutting rounded grooves.

Scutch Holders

A special chisel type tool designed to hold a replaceable Scutch bit. Used to prepare flat surfaces by forming shallow grooves.

Scutch Bits

Replaceable chisel bits, fitting into a scutch holder (sometimes described as a drive).

Seaming

Another name for plugging.