A good set of chisels is essential for carpenters, woodworkers, blacksmiths, masons, and even home enthusiasts. A lot of people use them for at-home DIY projects, sculpting, and other sorts of craftsmanship. You can’t use any other chisel if you are working with metal. They are not designed for this purpose. A cold chisel is needed to be able cut through metal. With a beveled edge, these special chisels can cut through any metal thats softer than the material theyre made with.
So if youre looking to buy a set of cold chisels, then weve made the perfect list of the highest-rated cold chisels of 2022 for you to browse through and pick your favorite product. Our buying guide will help you understand everything before you make your purchase.
Buying Guide: Cold Chisels
What Are Cold Chisels?
Before we get into the details of what to do before you buy a cold-chisel, let’s first discuss what a cold chilliel is. Well, unlike a wood chisel, a cold chisel is specially designed to chisel or cut through cold, hard metals. They are designed to work with metals that are softer than those they were made with.
Forged from tempered and hardened steel with an octagon-shaped handle and a beveled cutting edge, these chisels are not made from heating with heat torches, forges, or other similar methods. Since these tools are designed to work with metals, theyre made with a broader angle than the blade of the chisel, allowing them to cut through metal easily while not being as sharp as a woodworking chisel.
What Are The Different Types Of Cold Chisels?
Flat chisels
These chisels can be used to shape and cut rods and bars. Theyre also used for cutting and reducing the surfaces of some sheet metals.
Cross out chisel
With a thin blade behind the chisels cutting edge, these tools are designed for shaping and cutting grooves and slots.
Round nose chisel
These chisels have been specially made to work in conjunction with semi-circular grooves that allow for oil paths in bearings.
Diamond point chisel
This shape of cold chisels is extremely useful for removing unwanted materials and debris from corners and crevices.
How Do You Choose A Cold Chisel For Your Home?
Construction quality
Your chisel’s build quality is crucial in determining how long these tools last. A good cold chisel typically uses a combination of carbon and steel to forge its sharp edge. There is also vanadium steel combined with stronger carbon options, but they lean more on the expensive side.
There are also chisels made with steel and manganese, which also work great at absorbing the impact. A chisel that has any combination of these elements will generally be a quality item.
Built to last
Chisels in general and cold chisels need to be very durable. A good cold chisel should not only be able to handle the blows from a mallet or a hammer but also have a good enough edge so that it can properly cut through and carve metal.
Comfort
You’ll be able to tell if you have ever used chisels that they are comfortable to hold. With a comfortable grip, its easier to carve and shape your works with higher precision and for longer periods without tiring yourself out.
How Should You Use A Cold Chisel?
You must ensure that you are properly grasping the handle of a cold chisel in order to use it properly. To do this, make a fist with your hand around the handle in a way that your thumb and forefinger are about an inch away from the top. You should not grip the handle too tightly as it will transmit more force when you hit it with a hammer.
Now that youve grabbed the chisel properly, ensure youre not rushing the carving process. To ensure you don’t make mistakes and that the metal is being cut with precision, keep hitting the chisel in a steady beat with the hammer.
Quality Cold Chisel Worth Considering In 2022
The KENDO cold-chisel sets are a great choice if you’re looking for an all-purpose chisel tool set that is made with high quality craftsmanship and built to last. With three pieces of chisels of different sizes varying from 25/32 x 20 cm, 7/8 x 25 cm to 1 x 30 cm, this set equips you with the tools you need to do any kind of carving work you want. All three pieces feature an octagonal-shaped body and handle that allows you to not just work with metal but also lets you carve through bricks, concrete, wood, and other materials.
When it comes to durability, these cold chisels are excellent in that department as well. Theyre made with industrial-grade, top-of-the-line carbon and steel which makes them robust enough to work with all different carving work. The set even includes a numbered pouch made out of nylon that lets you store and carry your chisels around easily.
Pros
- This is a great tool for all types of craftsman’s work
- Three piece set offers versatility
- The octagonal shape is easy to hold
- Included is a storage bag
