Locksmith. How to choose the right tool?

At first glance it might seem that the hammer is the simplest of all existing types of hand tools. But actually it is not. What kinds of hammers exist and how to choose a quality tool?

Nails are hammered mainly with hammers, they are also used to remove dried mortar from bricks. With the help of this simple tool, sheet iron controls, it helps in tidy work with the tile. Different species differ in weight, in the form of the working part. Choosing the right tool is not such a trivial task. The most popular kind is the locksmith. So let's talk about it.

This type of hammer is one of the most common. It is used to strike when cutting anything, when punching various holes, riveting, straightening and for other work.

Hammer for metalwork

This tool consists of a shoe, as well as a wooden or plastic handle. In modern models the handle is equipped with a special anti-slip coating. This type of hammer differs by the presence of two strikers. So, on the boot there is an obtuse square barrel and sharpened, which is used to drive small nails. The square part of the butt can be worked with full force.

Classification by weight

The metalwork hammer is classified by weight. For example, for a home master, a product weighing from 300 to 500 grams is suitable. The possibilities of such a tool are enough for most household matters. The heaviest tool for performing locksmith work weighs 2 kg. Professionals recommend not to confine themselves in a home workshop to any one hammer, but to have several different models in the arsenal - this will improve the quality and convenience of the work.

Weight also depends on the nature of the work. For example, products of 50, 100, 200 and 300 grams are used in instrumental works. Models with a weight of 400, 500 and 600 g are used for locksmith work. Tools weighing 1 kg are used in repair work.

Types of locksmiths

There are two types of these tools. So, one of them is distinguished by a rectangular shape with a square striker. The second type has a more convex and round shape.

Square tools are cheaper, because they are easier to manufacture. Also they are more common among amateurs and professionals of locksmith work. Hammers with a round striker have some advantage. The shock part in this case has some advantage, which increases the strength and accuracy of the impact. For easier work, use a square barrel.

According to the technical requirements for these tools, the locksmith must not have any hardening, burrs or cracks. The jig should be as smooth and slightly convex as possible. Handles are made of hardwood. This is dogwood, beech, birch or hornbeam. The length of the handle must be at least 250 mm in length. Also, the wood fibers should be directed along the length of the handle, otherwise the handle will just break. The objets are made of carbon steels of grades U7 and U8.

If it is necessary to board any fragile materials, then use "soft" hammers. Often the strikers of these tools are made of aluminum alloys, copper, polyurethane, wood or rubber. The most practical option is a metalwork tool with replaceable heads. Such sets allow to execute a wider list of works.

According to GOST

It is not a secret to anyone that there are GOSTs for hammers. So, this type of tools is made according to GOST 2310-77.

This standard applies to steel hammers with steel weights from 0.05 to 1000 grams. The tools, as stated in the document, are created for use in the national economy and for export. This GOST does not apply to any other hammers, except for locksmiths.

So, according to the document, in addition to products with a round and square striker, there is also a hammer with a round striker and a sock of a spherical shape.

Technical requirements

The metalwork tool must be manufactured in strict accordance with standards and drawings. As materials for the heads use steel 50 or U7. Also GOST provides for other steel grades, if they are not inferior in mechanical properties. Heads should never be produced by casting.

Wedges for a hammer are made of steel CT3 or their other steels, which are not inferior to the characteristics of St3.

With regard to the handles, the hammer locksmith GOST provides for the use of hardwoods of 1st grade. Often these parts are made from hornbeam, dogwood, ash, birch, oak or beech, and also from various synthetic materials that can provide the necessary operational strength and reliability.

The hardness of the working surfaces should be from 50.5 to 57 HRC. Hardness is measured in layers not less than 5 mm deep, and also at a distance no more than 1/5 of the length of the head from the ends and toe of the toe. Some deviations from the mass are allowed - this is 12% for products weighing 100 grams. The heads must necessarily be covered with various protective coatings. So, the oxide coating with oiling is distinguished, the coating is made of chromium, phosphates, cadmium.

As for the connection between the head and the handle, it must be as reliable as possible. Cracks on the handles are not permissible. The hammer head must have a manufacturer's trade mark , the mass of the product, the price. It is also possible to apply a trademark on the handle.

How to choose the right tool

As it turned out, the metalwork hammer is serious, therefore it is necessary to approach the choice very carefully. The first thing you need to know is the necessary weight and size of the working part. If you pick up a product with a light striker, then the force of impact will be insufficient, and a heavy firing, on the contrary, will be too tiring. Heavy hammers can also damage some materials.

When you choose, the working part is also important - material matters here. As indicated in the GOST, the shoes are not manufactured by casting. You should only choose a hammer forged forged steel, and steel must necessarily be hardened, and then released.

The quenching process is carried out by a high cooling rate, however such materials differ in internal stresses. In order to remove these stresses, they perform a vacation - the product is heated to 200 degrees and then allowed to cool.

Leaving slightly reduces the strength, but as a result, the product is much stronger than ordinary alloy parts.

Handles

In modern models, these hammer parts are made of plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass materials. However, according to the experience of professionals, the wooden handle is still the best and most popular.

In wood, you can drive in pegs, which will make the clutch with the striker more durable. In addition, in the event of a breakage of the handle, you can make it yourself.

Today is also popular fiberglass. It is considered one of the varieties of fiberglass. This material has in its composition more than 70% of fiberglass. Also in the composition there are polyester resins. This material has a very high durability and durability.

Among the main advantages of fiberglass is strength. It is 9 times higher than that of plastic, and 4 times higher than that of aluminum. Handles for hammers from it are not deformed.

Market Review

The modern market provides home masters and professionals with a huge selection of very different tools. Locksmiths also have a huge number.

Bregadier 41-314

This hammer is designed to perform a variety of metalwork. It can also be used in carpentry. OH is made of steel by the method of forging, has a protective phosphatic coating, a striker - a square shape. The weight of the model is 500 g.

There are no unique technical solutions in the design of this tool, but it is quite reliable and practical for simple domestic work or professional use.

The manufacturer, in addition to this model, offers other products with wooden handles and various weights, as well as hammers for other types of work.

Habero 600 IH 500

This product is also designed for a variety of metalwork. The material is steel. The head is covered with black varnishes, the shape of the striker is square.

The head of the chrome vanadium alloy has a high hardness and does not flatten. By the way, for such a hammer the metalwork price is more than affordable for a home master (from 200 rubles).

The market offers other products. Today the range of metal hammers is extremely wide. There is a mass of tools for needs, weight, materials, functionality. The main thing in choosing is the quality of materials, ergonomics and durability.