USE/CARE OF HANDTOOLS & MEASURING TOOLS-- OD1621 - LESSON 2/TASK 1
4 To start the nail, tap it squarely, but lightly, until it
has penetrated the work to a depth sufficient to hold securely.
5 Remove fingers and drive the nail into the work.
NOTE
When using a plain-faced hammer, the nail head must be
parallel to the face of the hammer at the moment of
impact.
The bell-faced hammer offers a uniform face
to the nail head even though the hammer is slightly
tipped.
(b) Pulling Nails. Slip the claw of the carpenter's hammer under
the nail head. Make certain the head of the nail is caught securely in the
slot of the claw. Raise the hammer handle until it is nearly vertical. If
the nail is short, this will withdraw it from the work. If the nail is long
and the hammer handle is pulled past the vertical position, it will mar the
work, bend the nail, and enlarge the hole.
Most of the leverage is lost
when the hammer handle passes the vertical position, requiring a great deal
of force to withdraw the nail.
To simplify pulling long nails, place a
piece of wood under the hammer head so that the handle is again nearly
horizontal and the leverage is increased.
(2) Using a Blacksmith's or Sledge Hammer. Since a sledge hammer is
used for heavy-duty work, it is designed with a longer handle which requires
a greater swing, and a heavy head which supplies a greater impact.
Grasp
the sledge hammer near the end of the handle with both hands; spread feet
apart; raise the sledge hammer up over your head and bring it down.
You
must practice this swing until you are properly balanced and the work is
struck with the least effort.
Let the head of the sledge do the work.
After raising the sledge hammer over your head, use wrists, forearms, and
shoulders to deliver heavier blows. Light blows are struck with a motion of
wrist only. Observe the following precautions when using a sledge hammer.
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