Splitting maul

A splitting maul is a modified ax for working with wood and natural stone. The cutting edge has a more obtuse angle of 30 °, thus driving them when splitting the wood apart faster. The back is formed into a hammer, can be hit with the gap wedges. The head is constructed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis.

Nature

The weight corresponds to a light sledgehammer. Usually the head weight is 3000 g The handle is made of ash, hickory or fiberglass materials. It is usually about 90 cm long and slightly oval shaped and geradläufig so blade and rail ( strike plate ) can be of the head performed equally well. The opening for the handle ( eye ) is arranged in the middle between the hammer head and the gap part of the tool. In some models the back handle is also protected in the region of the head to the blade to prevent damage to the stem by the Spaltgut.

Application

The Maul is primarily used for splitting wood. When striking ( cases ) of firewood thicker stems are so long split along the grain until the Einmeterstücke can be worn by a man. This is done either directly with the blade of the gap hammer, or else a wedge driven with the splitting maul until its flank forces split the wood. It is also possible to use the splitting hammer as a wedge and recover with a sledgehammer, until the wood splits. One should be strictly observed in the case but that there will be no dangerous Materialabplatzungen.

The Maul has the main features columns and hitting (usually splitting wedges ), but many models are additionally equipped with a turning nose in the stem- side extension of the blade. This is used for pulling and turning pieces of wood when splitting without bending down. Usually, the Maul is performed with both hands.

Others use

For some time beyond the Fire Department has discovered the splitting maul for their applications, because it can be used in comparison with the ax or fire ax as a hammer and achieved by higher head weight a higher impact impulse ( force ).

Security

With regard to the nature of the standard DIN 5129 -B applies from 2009, which defines the different design criteria to ensure sustainable, safe use can be ensured. For example, the required stem removal force of 20 kN must be adhered to so that the hammer head does not come loose from the handle while working. The hardness of the hammer face must not exceed 42 HRC ( Rockwell hardness test type C) are, because it can come to Materialabplatzungen else if hit on this track with a hardened hammer sledgehammer; One common method is when the gap hammer is used as a riving knife and stuck in the wood. The hardness of the edge must not be less than 42 HRC. Too soft a cutter does not have good durability and they do not stay sharp and provoking indirectly larger forces at work, which in turn is dangerous for the worker. Since 2009, the gap hammer must also carry several warnings that show the proper use and minimal protective clothing. These should be either permanently present on the hammer itself or on the stalk.