Thread: Cold chisels - muffin tops

They can be quite dangerous to use like that because the small fragments of metal can break off and cause injury especially to your eye.

I always grind mine but then I never let them get to the stage where they are so bad that chips could fly off whilst grinding.

If I had your problem, I would carefully grind them but use lots of safety gear like a face mask. I would constantly keep them cool by dipping into water so as not to soften the metal.

I am not an expert in metalwork so take my advice with a big grain of of salt.

Going back to what I learned in school metal work you hacksaw off the overhanging bits, then finish up with a file. Grinding produces heat that hardens the top and makes it brittle. It is normal for this to happen to cold chisels. If you leave the mushroom top then bits of metal can break off in use and be bad for the eyes. The same treatment can be done to hammer heads if they get abused.
Regards
John

I hold the chisel upright on a solid base and hit the mushrooms with a hammer they break away but may leave a razor edge a few hits with a hammer to dull them.
les

Grinding isn't a problem, just cool the end frequently & it won't get hot enough to cause any change in the hardness. I have never had a problem with this.

Regards,
Ray

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

They can be quite dangerous to use like that because the small fragments of metal can break off and cause injury especially to your eye.

I always grind mine but then I never let them get to the stage where they are so bad that chips could fly off whilst grinding.

If I had your problem, I would carefully grind them but use lots of safety gear like a face mask. I would constantly keep them cool by dipping into water so as not to soften the metal.

I am not an expert in metalwork so take my advice with a big grain of of salt.

Thanks for your reply, Wood Borer: I appreciate it.

. . . Kevin

Originally Posted by orraloon

Going back to what I learned in school metal work you hacksaw off the overhanging bits, then finish up with a file. Grinding produces heat that hardens the top and makes it brittle. It is normal for this to happen to cold chisels. If you leave the mushroom top then bits of metal can break off in use and be bad for the eyes. The same treatment can be done to hammer heads if they get abused.
Regards
John

Thanks for replying Orraloon: I'll do just that.


. . . Kevin

Thanks Les88, I appreciate your reply.

. . .Kevin

Originally Posted by yaryetnom

Grinding isn't a problem, just cool the end frequently & it won't get hot enough to cause any change in the hardness. I have never had a problem with this.

Regards,
Ray

Thanks for your good advice, Ray.

. . . Kevin