What Is a Chisel?
Chisels are used to cut off rusted parts of bolts and to strip spot welds. When cutting or bending steel plates, the names are used as classifications. When they are attached and used with electric or hydraulic breakers, they are often called chisels.
The main uses of chisels are for chipping, deburring, and surface stripping of welds.
Uses of Chisels
Chisels are used for the following operations.
- Deburring of Arc Welding
During arc welding (a welding method using electrical discharge), metal particles (molten metal) called spatters scatter and adhere to the weld during operation. Since these spatters degrade the surface quality, they are removed with a chisel before painting. - Concrete Removal Work
Chisels are used to chisel and drill holes in concrete at demolition, new construction, and renovation sites. It is often used for work that requires precision and for cutting stone for block assembly and tile assembly. - Spot Weld Stripping
Spot welding (a method of applying electricity to a steel plate and using its power resistance for pressure welding) is used for automobile chassis and other applications because it has few welding areas and is suitable for mass production. In automotive sheet metal painting, it is necessary to strip the surface areas of these spot welds. Chisels for sheet metal are designed to be inserted into narrow gaps in the chassis structure to allow work to be performed.
How to Choose a Chisel
1. Types:
Chisels can be broadly classified into the following five types.
(1) Flat Chisel
This is the most common type of chisel, and looks like a larger flathead screwdriver. It is mainly used for concrete removal work, but can also be used for various purposes.
Since the force applied to the striking head is efficiently transmitted to a small area, it can also be used for accurate grooving and shaving. On the other hand, it is not suitable for cutting and crushing bricks and blocks.
(2) Brick Chisel
Because the blade is large and the force of the blow head can be transmitted evenly, it is suitable for use in breaking hard and wide blocks such as fire bricks. Since the JIS standard defines the width of Japanese bricks as 60 mm, it is recommended to select a blade with a slightly larger width than that.
(3) Cutting Chisel
Suitable for cutting blocks, splitting bricks, and peeling P-tiles, etc. It is also used for peeling off white lines marked on paved roads.
(4) Slot Chisel
Slot chisels are used for sheet metal work, deburring, and bolt cutting. Since the handle is plate-shaped, unlike a hammer, the cutting edge does not rotate when struck with a hammer, and accurate grooves can be engraved. The width and thickness do not change much from the handle to the cutting edge.
(5) Pointed Chisel
This is a stake-shaped type of chisel. Since the force is concentrated on a single point, processing can be done even with light hammering force. It is especially suited for drilling holes and grooves in concrete. It can also be used for crushing, but not for cutting.
2. Size: Select the Size That Best Suits Your Application.
In general, the shorter the overall length, the easier it is to handle and carry. However, when cutting blocks, there is a possibility of hitting your hand with too much force. Select a length that is easy to use depending on the intended use.
As for the width, we recommend a wider blade width of 80 to 100 mm, since the cut surface is more beautiful when cutting bricks and blocks in a single cut.