USE/CARE OF HANDTOOLS & MEASURING TOOLS - OD1621 - LESSON 2/TASK 1
(4) Wrecking Bar. The wrecking bar (figure 54 on the previous page)
has a gooseneck claw at one end and a pinch point at the other end. Other
types may have two gooseneck ends, one with a claw and one with a straight
point. Another variation is one gooseneck end with a claw and the other end
offset, will a wedge shape.
Wrecking bars range in size from 12 to 60
inches long and 1/2 to 1 1/8 inches in diameter. They are used in the same
manner as the crowbar and the pinch bar.
(5) Mattock. The head of the mattock (figure 54) has two ends. One
end is rectangular in cross section and tapers to a point like a pick. The
other end has a finely tempered 4 inch wide blade that has a double bevel.
The mattock head weighs 5 pounds and is supplied with a wood handle.
c. Use of Bars and Mattock.
(1) Bars. To use a crowbar, operate it as a simple lever (figure 55
on the following page). It is mostly used in a position where the weight of
the body is exerted downward on the narrow end of the bar. The pinch and
wrecking bars are used in the same manner for prying and wrecking. The claw
is used as you would a carpenter's claw hammer to remove nails and spikes.
When prying, be careful that the bar does not slip and cause personal
injury.
Wrecking bars are exceptionally heavy and care must be taken to
keep them from falling and striking someone.
Do not use bars for extra
heavy work, since they will bend.
(2) Mattock.
(a) When using the mattock, it is important to have a firm footing
and correct posture to prevent the mattock from glancing and striking the
feet or legs if the mark is missed. Distribute body weight equally on both
legs; the knees should be set but not tense, and feet should be spread apart
at a comfortable distance.
Body should be relaxed and free to swing and
bend from the hips. Practice using the mattock either with the right-hand
or the left-hand leading in order to prevent tiring quickly.
With the
right-hand leading, the left foot should be brought slightly toward the
work. To start the swing, hold the handle at the end with the left-hand and
near the center with the right-hand.
Raise the mattock over the right
shoulder.
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