Aircraft Tool Safety: Hammers and Mallets

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for using the appropriate hammers and mallets?

To maintain the tool in good condition.

To prevent damage to aircraft components and injury to personnel. (correct)

To ensure the tool is used for its specific purpose.

To ensure the correct weight is used for the task.

What should you inspect before using a hammer or mallet?

The material of the tool.

The tool for any damage that could affect safety. (correct)

The weight of the tool.

The handle of the tool.

How should you swing a hammer when striking a blow?

By bending your wrist.

By bending your elbow. (correct)

By twisting your body.

By using your full arm strength.

What should you do to avoid marring the work when using a hammer?

Keep the face of the hammer or mallet smooth and free of dents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical use of the ball end of a ball pein hammer?

Peening over rivets in commercial sheet metal work. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using soft head hammers?

To seat or position work for machining without damaging the surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight range of a ball pein hammer?

28 grams (1 oz) to 1-1.5 kg (2-3 lb). Signup and view all the answers

What material is NOT typically used with soft head hammers?

Steel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a slide hammer?

To 'shock' components apart Signup and view all the answers

What should you check for on the head of a hammer before using it?

Splits or burrs on the head Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a cross pein hammer?

To gain access to limited working surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of striking one hammer against another?

Flying particles may cause injury Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a sledgehammer?

It has two flat faces and is sized according to the weight of the head without the handle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a punch?

To be hit with a hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a body or panel hammer?

To remove small dents and smooth sheet metal Signup and view all the answers

What is planishing?

A metalworking technique that involves finishing the surface by finely shaping and smoothing sheet metal Signup and view all the answers

What type of hammer is used to shape metal surfaces with a vertical edge?

Straight pein hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a soft head/face hammer?

It is a type of special purpose hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a centre punch?

To locate a centre position and make it easier for a drill point to start cutting accurately Signup and view all the answers

What type of material is recommended for use in making punches and drifts when working on aircraft?

Brass Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a prick punch and a centre punch?

Centre punches are ground to a shallower angle and are hit harder Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a starter drift punch?

To jar loose taper and parallel pins Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the end of a pin punch being circular and flat?

To prevent the spreading of the end of a pin Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a prick punch?

To locate pivot points of dividers for scribing lines or arcs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the spiral rod in lockwire pliers?

To twist the wire Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of putting a 'pig tail' or curl on the end of the wire?

To avoid injury to personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the built-in cutters in lockwire pliers?

To cut the ends of the wire Signup and view all the answers

What type of pliers are used for fitting and removing circlips in assembly and maintenance work?

Circlip pliers Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using needle nose pliers with long, thin jaws that are bent at a right angle to the handle?

They can grip a component and hold it while keeping your hand out of the way Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hammers

Hammers include different types and weights of hammers and mallets, each with a specific use.
Misuse of pounding tools can result in damage to aircraft components and injury to personnel.
Always use appropriate eye and face protection before using a hammer or mallet.
Inspect the tool for damage that could affect safety.

Ball Pein Hammers

Ball pein hammers range in weight from 28 grams (1 oz) to 1-1.5 kg (2-3 lb).
One hammer face is flat, while the other is formed into the shape of a ball.
The flat hammer face is used for working metal and driving, but not for driving nails.
The ball end of the hammer is typically used to peen over rivets in commercial sheet metal work.

Soft Head Hammers

Soft head hammers are used to seat or position work for machining, strike surfaces without damaging them, and strike full impact blows without danger from rebound.
Materials used with soft head hammers include brass, copper, aluminum, wood, rubber, plastic, and rawhide.

Slide Hammers

Slide hammers are used with pullers to ‘shock’ components apart.
They are common in aircraft maintenance and range in weight from a few grams to several kilograms.

Hammer Safety

Ensure the head is secure and the wedge is in place before using a hammer.
Check the head for splits or burrs, which could allow fragments to fly.
Check that there are no splits in the handle.
Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe your hands and the handle of the hammer.
Remove any oil, grease, or dampness, which can cause the handle to slip from your hand or the striking face to slip from the work.
Never strike one hammer against another because they may shatter.

Punches

Punches are hand tools that are hit with a hammer.
Types of punches include ball pein, cross pein, straight pein, and sledgehammers.

Cross Pein

The narrow cross pein helps gain access to limited working surfaces.

Straight Pein

The straight pein has a similar form and function to the cross pein, but with a vertical rather than horizontal edge.

Sledgehammers

Sledgehammers have two flat faces and are sized according to the weight of the head without the handle.
They are sometimes used in aircraft maintenance, typically when a lot of heavy driving force is needed.

Panel or Body Hammers

Panel or body hammers have large, smooth faces and are lightweight.
They are specifically used to remove small dents and to smooth (planish) or stretch sheet metal.

Special Purpose Hammers

There are many types of special purpose hammers, including soft head/face hammers.
Soft head/face hammers are used to seat or position work for machining, strike surfaces without damaging them, and strike full impact blows without danger from rebound.

Centre Punches

Centre punches are used to make deeper witness marks on scribed lines, locate a centre position, and mark relative positions of adjacent parts that have to be removed and replaced.

Starter Drift and Pin Punches

Starter drift punches are hit hard with a hammer to jar loose taper and parallel pins.
Pin punches are hit with a hammer to drive loosened locating or locking pins, dowels, and rivets out of their holes.

Lockwire Pliers

Lockwire pliers are used to lockwire something by cutting the length of wire needed, inserting it into whatever is being safetied, and twisting the wire.

Needle Nose Pliers

Needle nose pliers are used for electrical and electronic work because they are small enough to grip and hold small components and wires.

Circlip Pliers

Circlip pliers are used for fitting and removing circlips in assembly and maintenance work.

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Description

Learn about the different types and weights of hammers and mallets used in aircraft maintenance. Understand the importance of proper use and safety precautions to avoid damage and injury. Inspect tools for damage and wear appropriate protective gear.