Impelling tools

There are many types of hammers and mallets used for woodworking and construction tasks and the appropriate tool should be identified, selected and used correctly.

Hammers
Hammers are available in a range of head and claw styles, shapes, weights and handle designs
and lengths. The [?], which is used for construction, and the [?] hammer,
which is used for bench work, are the most commonly used types.

Use
• For driving in and pulling out [?], and driving [?] and set [?].
• Always strike securely to avoid glancing blows.
• Use the appropriate hammer (considering [?] and [?] design, [?] and handle length) to suit the job and to suit your personal preference.

Care and maintenance

• Clean the hammer face by rubbing it on a piece of fine [?].
• Maintain a [?] handle
• Never use a hammer with a handle or head that is [?] or [?].

Most personal hand tool injuries are caused by [?]. These include crushed [?] or [?] injuries caused by projectiles that come off the face of the hammer.

Safety precautions for hammers
• Always wear [?] when hammering and pulling out nails.
• Ensure that the face of the hammer is not [?] or [?] and is free from dirt, paint or grease.
• Check the handle for [?] and ensure that the head is [?] attached to the handle.
• Do not use hammers with heads or chipped faces.
• Never strike with the side of the hammer.
• Never strike the face of one [?] with another.

- Striking the hammer against [?] objects will result in a chipped face.
- Placing a piece of [?] under the head gives you more [?] and prevents [?] to the face of the work.
- A dirty hammer face will result in the hammer [?] off the nail.

Mallets
Mallet heads are made out of either [?] or [?] fitted to a wooden handle.

Use
• Mallets are used for striking [?] or assembling frames or carcasses.
• Rubber headed mallets are generally used for carcase assembly. Because of their [?] heads, you do not need to hold scrap timber against the job when using this mallet.

Care and maintenance
• Do not use the mallet on [?] or hard surfaces.
• Check head faces and handles for [?] or [?].
• Ensure that the head is securely attached to the handle.

Nail punch
Nail punches are manufactured from [?] steel with a [?] body for grip. They are available in varying tip sizes depending on the size of nail they will be setting.
The tip is cupped and chamfered for ease of alignment and to reduce slipping on the nail head.

Use
• Nail punches are used to drive or set the head of the nail [?] the surface of the timber.
• Grip the nail punch [?] or it may fly off when
struck.
• Make sure the correct [?] punch is used – the nail punch point should be slightly [?] than the nail head being punched.

Care and maintenance
• [?] if the point becomes [?] or when the cupped point wears away.
• Inspect the nail punch for damage. Any [?] that have formed on the head should be removed by [?] off.