What is a sledge hammer used for?
The sledge hammer is a heavy-duty hammer used for demolition jobs where high force is required. It has a large, flat metal head attached to a long wooden handle. The length of the handle allows the tool to gain momentum while swinging, and the heavy metal head results in amplified force compared to a usual hammer.
What is the difference between hammer and Sledge hammer?
Sledge hammers are larger than most hammers and feature a metal, mallet-like head. Heavier sledge hammers with longer handles are intended to be swung with both hands. Sledge hammers are best for: Breaking stone.
Is a sledge hammer good for concrete?
A sledgehammer can provide the force to knock out a wall, break concrete, and shatter wood, and the force from this tool also can help you pound fence posts into the ground, hammer thick stakes, or even get in a good workout.
Will a sledgehammer break concrete?
sledge. A sledge can be surprisingly effective in breaking up concrete up to about 4-in. thick.
How do I choose a sledge hammer?
The main points you need to consider are weight, shaft length, and materials. Sledgehammer weights range from two to 20 pounds. If you’re looking for a demolition tool, you might be tempted to go for the heaviest, but that’s not always the best choice.
Why is it called a sledge hammer?
The word sledgehammer is derived from the Anglo Saxon “slægan”, which, in its first sense, means “to strike violently”. The English words “slag”, “slay”, and “slog” are cognates.
How heavy do sledge hammers get?
The head mass is usually 1 to 9 kilograms (2.2 to 19.8 lb). Modern heavy duty sledgehammers come with 10-to-20-pound (4.5–9.1 kg) heads. Sledgehammers usually require two hands and a swinging motion involving the entire torso, in contrast to smaller hammers used for driving in nails.
Can a sledgehammer break concrete?
Can I break concrete with a sledgehammer?
When thinking about breaking up concrete, most of our minds jump straight to jackhammer. But you can probably do the work with a metal sledgehammer and a little elbow grease. Sledgehammer is the best tool to use if the slab of concrete is three inches thick or less. Dig at the base of the slab to find the bottom.