Looking for an Electric Jack-Hammer

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Fair point … but I already have a good yellow transformer and a long 110V extension lead

So it seemed like a good idea at the time.

MichaelG.

When men were men and I was 20 years old nowt compaired with a proper compressed air powered Jack hammer, I think that I have escaped without white finger.

Pete

This looks like it’s the same unit as the Excel-branded one : **LINK**

https://www.xinputools.com/product_38.html

The instruction manual is more detailed.

On the strength of this, I’m tempted to buy the ‘Excel’ from tools4trade

MichaelG.

They were never called "jack hammers" in the UK! That's a US-ism.

I think a true "jack-hammer" is a mining tool, fitted with a screw-jack or air-ram to feed it into the shot-hole it is drilling.

The tool used for digging up roads and demolition is more often called a "road breaker", or if air-powered, a "pneumatic drill".

Small work now is usually done with an SDS drill with hammer action.

[ UPDATE ]

I have ordered it, using PayPal … process couldn’t have been easier

Was it the right decision ?

… only time will tell.

MichaelG.

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Thanks, Nigel

But honestly, I don’t really care

A rose is still a rose and all that

It was a suitable title for the thread, and I explained what I wanted.

MichaelG.

PostScript for Nigel:

You may be interested to read my post, times-stamped 20/07/2016 11:52:16

on this old thread: **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=113570&p=54

… and particularly Jason’s correction.

MichaelG.

Edited By John Doe 2 on 28/06/2023 23:42:42

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All reasonable comments, John … although not strictly relevant to my question

You may get an added frisson from knowing that they borrowed the extension lead from me.

I have ordered whatever it is I have ordered, so I am quite happy for this thread to evolve.

MichaelG.

IMO they will never swap out 110v centre-tapped earth for 240V RCD protected site tools, and it wouldn't make sense to for several reasons:

1. Most small tools which would traditionally be run on extension leads are now battery operated. Some main contrctors actually require it.

2. Where you have a transformer right now with 6 or 8 outlets on it you might only get four (expensive) RCD-protected ones.

3. Building sites by their very nature are exposed to the elements. Running 240V leads all over with RCD protection is just a recipe for nuisance-tripping which costs production and if it's the supply that's faulty it'll cost the site standing time.

4. The incidence of injury from 110v power by electrocution is very, very low. Why would they change it especially when everyone already has the equipment?

Here’s an interesting snippet from Excel’s Handling Instructions:

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As the very satisfied user of a three-wire pacemaker, I know that attempting to obtain anything other than ‘broad-brush’ advice on such matters is futile.

The likelihood of this particular electric motor interfering with my device does seem trivially small, and I have to wonder how its field strength compares with that on an Electric ‘Bus [public transport].

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/06/2023 06:53:30

Hi Michael

When I purchased my present house some decades ago I found I had need for a small jack hammer to carry out a number of smallish jobs over an extended period.

Like you I found that purchase was more cost effective than hiring.

With this in mind I purchased a small Hitachi brand tool which proved very suitable. I could fairly comfortably handle the weight ( important safety aspect ) and although I did initially suffer with a bad back due to bending I was later able to find longer tools ( chisels ) which helped alleviate this problem.

I think it has paid its way and is still available whenever I have the need.

One other thought. When breaking up paving I often use a long pry bar to slightly lift the edge of the paving before hitting it with a 7 lb sledge hammer. I find this breaks the paving quite readily and is actually faster and less messy than using the jack hammer. Works fine on paths etc but could be less successful on a 100 mm floor slab. I mention a 7 lb sledge as I lack the strength to wield a 10 lb version.

Stronger ME's may find larger tools more effective but I have found mine will do anything I require around the house.

The EXCEL model, as shown in the post above, looks like it should do the job.

Pero

Thanks, Pero

MichaelG.

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Just as an aside … I have an Hitachi reciprocating saw which is giving excellent service.

An encouragingly hefty package was delivered by DPD a few minutes ago.

MichaelG.

On opening the carton, first impressions were excellent; a blow-moulded case, with wheels !

Unfortunately, this is obviously not up to the job … one of the catches doesn’t work, because the plastic has split in transport.

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I have written to the supplier, in the hope that they can send a replacement case.

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Weather permitting, I might test the beast late this afternoon.

Very glad I didn’t buy anything considerably heavier than this machine’s 19.8 kg

MichaelG.

I didn't know that you Brits used 110 Volts on building sites. The idea intrigues me since in fact 110 Volts is not actually a lot safer than 230 Volts. Both are quite capable of delivering a lethal current through your heart, especially if your skin is damp or sweaty, as it might well be on a building site. There are 400 deaths and 4000 injuries each year in the USA for instance. 230 Volts might be a bit more likely to kill you but I would not risk my life on the difference.

What we did in NZ, which I would not claim as perfect either, is that you are supposed to use an isolating transformer. This gives you a secondary which is not earthed, so that it takes two faults rather than one to create a dangerous situation. Eg one side has to be accidentally grounded while the other side touches you, or you have to be touching both connections. But that meant a bulky transformer for every tool, so in their kindness they allowed the transformer to have two outlets. That of course doubles the chance that one of them is faulty. I prefer RCD's myself, especially since it is so easy to check them, Battery tools are also good.

John

John

The ‘Yellow Transformer’ actually delivers 55-0-55 which is, I believe, considered ‘intrinsically safe’

MichaelG.

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Ref. [one of many]

https://cmdonline.co.uk/products/110v-site-transformers-yellow-portable-transformers-1kva-to-5kva

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 01/07/2023 06:30:49

Just out of curiosity, how 'workmanlike' is the cable and strain relief?

Yes as Michael says above the 110v tools are powered from a centre-tapped-earth isolating transformer which means that the maximum potential is actually 55v RMS.

You could get a lethal shock from it, probably, if you're working around sea water. I know that I've had a few tasty ones when the tools have got salt water in them when doing marine work. Many modern small tools have smart triggers which the salt water plays havoc with. One job I did (cutting the sea walll opening for the new tyne tunnel) we had to keep a barrel of tap water handy to jetwash the gear through at the end of every day then leave it in the drying room to dry out for the next shift.