Demolition Hammer and How to Ensure Your Safety
Although many demolition hammers on the market are now easy and safe to use even for newbies, it still pays to be careful and ensure your safety while using this construction equipment.
When dealing with a demolition hammer, there are several points you should remember to keep you safe.
Keep a tight grip
When using a demolition hammer, make sure you hold it tightly. It’s also important that you put pressure while using it to prevent it from slipping easily. Position the bit at an angle and make sure it’s pointing downward. Don’t use the demolition hammer when it’s pointed toward yourself. You should never attempt operating demolition hammers using one hand only. To have maximum control over the equipment, always hold it with both hands and always hold the equipment’s side grip and main handle.
Use protective gear
Protect yourself from falling debris in the construction or demolition site by wearing hardhat, sturdy boots and cushioned gloves. It’s also important to wear a dust mask to prevent yourself from inhaling dust and hazardous particles. Safety goggles and sound-blocking ear protection are necessary to protect your eyes and hearing.
Power tools like demolition hammers should be operated with utmost care. Make sure you remember these tips when you grab that equipment for some demolition projects.
Different Types of Demolition Hammer
Demolition hammers, especially a 20-pound demo hammer can handle heavy-duty action. It’s heavy enough to break down solid surfaces, but light enough to use in different positions and locations. Here are some units and what they offer.
Power and bit change
One of the most important features of a hammer is its knock-down power. When it comes to power, DeWalt D25900K is worthy to be on the list. Its in-line design is similar to the jackhammer. With its bit, motor and handle, it allows good control and balance.
The Hilti TE 805 also boasts excellent power. Its cushioned handle makes it convenient to control. Hilti’s bit change is flawless and it’s easy to use. The downside of this one is that it doesn’t accept the SDS Max bits. Hilti has an octagonal TE bit, which you have to remove and reinsert into the chuck in order to rotate it.
The Bosch 11316EVS is another powerful unit. This one has a good chuck, but it’s not as easy to use a Hilti. There’s also the Makita HM1202C, which is another powerful unit. This one has a durable holder, which makes swapping the bits easy.
Control and Ergonomics
DeWalt is on top of the list when it comes to ergonomics with its accessible power controls. The unit’s power dial is easy to reach. With its in-line body, it provides nice balance in different working positions. It’s easy to turn on and off using its pistol-type trigger on the inside of the grip.
Hilti, Makita, and Bosch all have good controls and nice balance. Their controls are also easy to use, whether you’re wearing a glove or not. Bosch has a large slide trigger, which allows you to easily activate or deactivate it. Makita’s bar trigger is also convenient. Hilti’s balance is nice.
Vibration control
To manage and control how much the tool shakes around, manufacturers use balance, rubber bumpers, padded grips, and isolation of the vibrating parts from the non-vibrating parts to manage the vibrations. To dampen the vibration, for instance, Hilti’s handle and design are cushioned well. DeWalt, on the other hand, boasts patented Anti-Vibration Control, which is a torsion spring–based mechanism. It also has a nicely padded grip. Makita also has nicely padded handle and grip.
There are numerous units on the market. The ones mentioned are among the top demolition hammers that can make any construction project easy and safe.
How to Use a Demolition Hammer
One of the most important pieces of equipment in the construction industry is the demolition hammer. It’s a powerful tool used to break down large structures like concrete walls. Demolition hammers come in various styles and sizes.
In order to break down a concrete wall, the demolition hammer has a bit that pounds the sold surface until it breaks into pieces. If you’re not a pro, you can still use demolition hammer, but keep these in mind.
Wear protective gear
Dealing with construction or demolition projects involves risks. The tools used are usually heavy and are not easy to handle. Before you start operating a demolition hammer, make sure you wear protective gear. Wearing a hardhat is necessary to protect your head from falling objects. Also, wear a dust mask to protect your lungs from dust and other hazardous particles from construction materials. You also need to protect your eyes with protective glasses. So you won’t easily lose your grip, make sure you wear gloves. It’s also important to protect your feet from falling debris by wearing a sturdy pair of boots.
Take note of the proper grip and orientation
One of the important rules in using a demolition hammer is to keep a tight grip on it. And while tightly holding it, you press it firmly to the surface you’re going to break down. Exert heavy pressure, as using light pressure will make the hammer slip easily and may cause injury. Another important point to take note of is the placement of the tip of the demolition hammer. Make sure the bit is at an angle and pointing down. Doing so allows the tip to chip into the material and not through it. Remember, don’t use the hammer when it’s pointed toward yourself.
Make sure you know where to start
When you are working on a wall, begin at the center and make your way downward. The weight of the top will cause the concrete to fall. If you’re going to use the hammer on the floor, don’t start in the center or a corner as the building up of debris will cause you difficulty later. Begin on the edge, instead.
Using a demolition hammer involves risks. This is why you should keep the things mentioned above in mind whenever you take on construction or demolition projects.