Advice on Care & Maintenance of Carbide Tipped Tools
Good maintenance of your Carbide chisels lets you cut faster and more accurately. However, improper grinding can damage the carbide and cause tool failure. To extend the life of your chisel:
- Make sure your chisel comes in full contact with the stone and does not wobble on a high spot. Cornering will cause breakage.
- When grinding leave corners slightly bevelled. Very sharp or pointed carbide may break on harder stones. Use an 80 grit silicon carbide (green) wheel or a diamond polishing disc to sharpen carbide.
- Don’t forget to grind the shank end or striking head frequently to maintain the correct “as-new” shape for safe performance.
- Use care when storing or transporting caride tools. Although tough and durable, carbide can break, especially when struck by another carbide tool.
- NEVER quench your carbide tool after grinding. Sudden changes in temperature can cause cracking or chipping of the tip, so always air cool your tool after grinding.
Tungsten Carbide Tipped Tools
All the tips are extremely Hard and Sharp, but will break or crack if they are not used correctly. Employ all the regulatory safety practices – i.e. Eye and hand protection.
- Use the full width of the tool at all times.
- Do not use the corners of the tool only.
- Do not use on materials widths smaller than the tip.
- Do not use excessively heavy blows as this will not increase the cutting action, but will only shorten the life of the tip.
- Always keep the tips sharp.
- Do not use any method of cooling the tip during sharpening.
- Do not use the tool as a lever.