SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

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.