The sledge is a steel-headed, heavy-duty driving
tool that can be used for a number of purposes.
Short-handled sledges are used to drive driftpins, and
large nails, and to strike cold chisels and small
hand-held rock drills. Long-handled sledges are used to
break rock and concrete, to drive spikes or stakes, and
to strike rock drills and chisels.
The head of a sledge is generally made of a
high-carbon steel and may weigh from 2 to 16 pounds.
The shape of the head will vary according to the job for
which the sledge is designed.
MAINTENANCE OF STRIKING TOOLS
Hammers, sledges, or mallets should be cleaned
and repaired if necessary before they are stored. Before
using them, make sure the faces are free from oil or
other material that would cause the tool to glance off
nails, spikes, or stakes. The heads should be dressed to
remove any battered edges.
Never leave a wooden or rawhide mallet in the sun,
as it will dry out and may cause the head to crack. A
light film of oil should be left on the mallet to maintain
a little moisture in the head.
The hammer handle should always be tight in the
head. If it is loose, the head may fly off and cause an
injury.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Hammers are dangerous tools when used carelessly
and without consideration. Practice will help you learn
to use a hammer properly.
Some important things to remember when using a
hammer or mallet follow:
Do not use a hammer handle for bumping parts
in assembly, and never use it as a pry bar. Such
abuses will cause the handle to split, and a split
handle can produce bad cuts or pinches. When a
handle splits or cracks, do not try to repair it by
binding with string, wire, or tape. Replace it.
Make sure the handle fits tightly on the head.
Do not strike a hardened steel surface with a
steel hammer. Small pieces of steel may break
off and injure someone in the eye or damage the
work. However, it is permissible to strike a
punch or chisel directly with a ball-peen
hammer, because the steel in the heads of
punches and chisels is slightly softer than that of
the hammerhead.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Q18.
Identify the different types of striking tools.
Q19.
Describe the uses of different types of striking
tools.
Q20.
Describe the proper care of striking tools.
Q21.
List the safety precautions that apply to
striking tools.
PUNCHES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the
different types of punches. Describe the uses of
different types of punches.
A hand punch is a tool that is held in the hand and
struck on one end with a hammer. There are many kinds
of punches designed to do a variety of jobs. Figure 1-50
shows several types of punches. Most punches are
made of tool steel. The part held in the hand is usually
octagonal in shape, or it may be knurled. This prevents
the tool from slipping around in the hand. The other end
is shaped to do a particular job.
When you use a punch, there are two things to
remember:
1-32
Figure 1-50.—Punches.
