Arc welding involves a lot of risks like spatters and fumes. Slag is another matter of serious concern when stick welding.
Besides, if you don’t clean the beads of molten metal after the welding is done (before the weld cools down), the joint will look unclean. If the chipping hammer you’re using has a spring handle, all these problems will be tackled.
Putting it clearly, spring handles in chipping hammers are all about quality and comfort. When you can move your hand freely, it helps in the easy removal of metal beads. That’s why chipping hammers are fabricated with spring handles.
If you look at the design of a high-quality chipping hammer with a spring handle, you’ll find one of the metal edges is flat and wide. That’s helpful in dampening spatter produced during standard arc welding.
Hence, chipping hammers with spring handles are essential for the workplace safety of the welders when arc welding.
Why is there a spring on a chipping hammer?
The spring in a chipping hammer serves many purposes. The most noteworthy ones that make spring handles on chipping hammers a sort of necessity are listed below. Have a look!
1.) The spring absorbs shock while you’re hitting the hammer to clean the welding debris from the surface.
2.) It is an inseparable part of the design because it removes slag.
3.) It is also used to prevent spattering when stick welding.
4.) Another interesting use of a chipping hammer with a spring handle for welding is that it can be used to clean the surface of the metal that has to be welded. It can be used to remove debris and traces of rust from the surface, if any.
To be precise, you’ll be more comfortable and have a better hold and grip of the hammer while cleaning the weld when the chipping hammer has a spring handle.
How to use a chipping hammer?
You have to ensure safe surroundings while you’re using a chipping hammer.
Here’s how you should prepare when planning to use a chipping hammer to use it:
1.) Make sure you are wearing proper PPE for welding that includes welding boots, welding gloves, welding goggles, welding helmets, and coveralls.
2.) Make sure that no nuts and bolts have come loose. Always tighten the nuts before you use your chipping hammer for welding.
These couple of steps might seem secondary, but they’re not. They’re mandatory because that’s the only way you will stay safe from debris, spatter, flames, and fumes.
How do you pick a chipping hammer?
Choosing the right chipping hammer with a spring handle will be the deciding factor whether or not your purchase will be worth the money you’ll shell out.
Here is a quick overview of the ways in which you won’t go wrong when picking a chipping hammer.
1.) Hold the hammer first. You should be comfortable with the size of the handle and the weight. Usually, a chipping hammer for welding should be about 12 inches long.
2.) Wooden handles or barrel spring handles offer maximum comfort.
3.) Always make sure that the edge of the metal is sharp and spattered.
4.) Pay close attention to the spring’s retention. It should come back to its original state after you use it. So, testing it a couple of times is a good idea.
Top 2 Chipping Hammers With Spring Handles that You Can Trust
1.) The 770069 Chipping Welding Hammer by Hobart
- Straight head
- Spring handle
- Replaceable wire brush
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It’s one of the best chipping hammers that has a replaceable wire brush. Some of the best features that make it a handy tool are as follows:
1.) The spring retention is fantastic. It dampens most of the shock from the impact.
2.) It’s lightweight. Hence, it is very easy to carry this chipping hammer and even easier to use it for long hours continuously. It won’t tire your hands very quickly.
3.) It’s an affordable handy tool that will remove all slag every single time it’s used.
Many customers find the addition of the brush a very worthy innovative feature. If you differ in opinion, you can simply remove the brush.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon2.) The CHIH058 Welding Chipping Hammer by Pit Bull
- Chipping hammer
- Welding cleansing hand tool
- Cone-shaped nose with sharp point
- Flattened and dual beveled tail
- Helical barrel spring type handle with hanging hook at end
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
One of the edges of this chipping hammer is conical and the other is perfectly flat. Clearly, it has a dual beveled tail.
Some other interesting elements that you’ll love about this chipping welding hammer are:
1.) It works very well for cleansing alongside chipping.
2.) The spring retention rate is absolutely stunning. Hence, this product can last for years with proper lubrication.
3.) The design has a thoughtful hanging hook that makes storing the hammer very easy. You can simply hang it on the wall using the hook.
This is a sturdy lightweight chipping hammer that’s quite affordable too. It’s equally suitable for experienced welders as it is for beginners.
Check Price and Reviews on AmazonFAQs
1.) How hot does a stick welder get?
Stick welding can get as hot as 6500 degrees Fahrenheit. When the welding arc is struck, the temperature can also shoot up to 10000 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.) How to maintain a chipping hammer?
You’ve learnt the purpose of a chipping hammer, all right! You also know how to use it. But, what you still have to learn is how to maintain it so that it lasts longer.
Here’s a quick point-by-point mention of certain ways that will help you maintain your chipping hammer with a spring handle so that it works well when you use it the next time!
Lubricate the hammer from time to time – After all, it’s a hand tool. It’s important that you don’t let rust affect the handle or the throttle valve in your chipping hammer. The only way to ensure this is by lubricating the tool.
Make sure that the hose is clean after every single use – Storing the hammer without cleaning the debris from the hose will lead to serious buildup. Not only will it reduce the quality of the weld, but it will also reduce the life of the hammer.
Don’t throw the hammer while storing it – Wherever you’re keeping it, do it very gently. You don’t want the parts getting loose.
Sharpen the metal – You can use benchtop grinders to sharpen the edges of the metal from time to time.
It’s also very important that you check the tightness of all nuts and bolts manually from time to time. Another pro tip is to ensure that the metal edge is chiseled before every single use.
3.) How do you clean an old chipping hammer?
As the chipping hammer becomes old, it becomes all the more necessary to keep it clean so that the metal (alloy) edges remain chiseled and the spring maintains the retention rate.
Here’s what you can do to keep your hammer in good working condition:
• Oiling and lubricating the metal is very important to keep the surface clear of rust.
• Keeping the hammer submerged in vinegar solution for the night can also remove rust. Don’t forget to rinse it with water and dry it using a clean cloth in the morning.
• If your hammer has a wooden handle, use boiled linseed oil to keep the handle strong.
4.) What are chipping hammers made of?
Did you know that chipping hammers are used in various industries besides welding? They are used to break concrete too. And that’s why what they’re made of depends upon what they will be used for.
Here, we are mentioning what a chipping hammer for welding is made of: It’s mostly made of Carbon steel. Stainless steel and steel are two other popular choices.
Concluding Thoughts:
When used for welding, chipping hammers have spring handles because the spring absorbs most of the shock. It dampens the spatter and removes slag as well.
These hammers are made to last for a long time. All that you have to do at your end is to maintain the hammer using lubricants.
We hope this guide will be of much help and you’ll be able to not just buy the right chipping hammer for welding but also maintain it and use it properly.
