Splitting hammer
A splitting hammer is a modified, particularly heavy splitting ax (see also ax ) for working with wood . The back is designed as a hammer , with which riving knife can be driven in. The head is constructed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis.
nature
The cutting edges of the splitting ax and splitting hammer have a more obtuse angle of 30 °, so they drive the wood apart faster when splitting. It also makes them easier to remove from the wood if they get stuck. The mass of a splitting hammer is usually over 3 kg, whereas a splitting ax weighs only up to about 3 kg. The handle is made of ash , hickory or GRP materials . The splitting hammer is about 90 ... 100 cm long, while splitting axes are only about 50 ... 80 cm long, depending on the size. The handles or shafts are slightly oval and straight in shape so that the blade and track (striking plate) of the head can be guided equally well. The opening for the handle in the head (the eye) is located in the middle of the splitting hammer between the hammer and the splitting part of the tool. The splitting ax, on the other hand, has an asymmetrical stalk like an ordinary ax. In some models, the handle is additionally protected in the area of the head towards the cutting edge in order to prevent damage to the handle from the split material.
application
The splitting hammer is primarily used to split wood. When cutting (felling) firewood , thicker logs are split in the direction of the grain until the one-meter pieces can be carried by one person. This is done either directly with the blade of the splitting hammer, or wedges are driven in with the splitting hammer until their flank forces split the wood. It is also possible to use the splitting hammer as a wedge and continue driving in with a sledge hammer until the piece of wood splits. Both in this case and in the case of wedges, one of the striking partners must be protected in order to prevent dangerous material flaking.
The splitting hammer has the main functions of splitting and striking (usually splitting wedges), but many versions are also equipped with a turning nose , an extension of the blade on the handle side . It is used to pull up and turn over pieces of wood when splitting without having to bend down.
Other uses
For some time now, the fire brigade has also discovered the splitting hammer for their purposes , as it can also be used as a hammer compared to the wooden ax or fire department ax and, due to the higher head weight, achieves a higher impact impulse (force).
Steinrichter used splitting hammers for pre-processing in the production of natural stone paving .
safety
With regard to the condition, the standard DIN 5129-B of 2009 applies, which defines the various design criteria so that permanent, safe use can be guaranteed. For example, the required handle pull-off force of 20 kN must be observed so that the hammer head cannot detach from the handle while working. The hardness of the hammer track must not exceed 42 HRC (hardness test according to Rockwell type C ), otherwise the material may flake off if this hammer track is hit with a hardened sledgehammer; a common method when the splitting hammer is used as a splitting wedge and is stuck in the wood. The hardness of the cutting edge must not be below 42 HRC. A cutting edge that is too soft does not have good durability or does not stay sharp and indirectly provokes greater forces during work, which in turn is more dangerous for the worker. Since 2009 the splitting hammer has also had to carry various warning notices that show correct use and minimal protective clothing. These should either be permanently present on the hammer itself or on the handle.
See also
Web links
- Splitting firewood - Tutorial by the Bavarian State Forests (on youtube) , accessed on May 6, 2020
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hans Dietzer Nüdling: Rhönbasalt: Development - Mining - Geotopes , Parzeller, Fulda 2006, p. 117
- ↑ Nuremberg Trade Inspectorate: Final report on the self-initiated market surveillance campaign, started in 2009 (Project Plan No. 5), continued in 2010. ( Memento from October 4, 2013 in the Internet Archive )