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Wondering if anyone uses specific mallet types for tightening rocker handles for drafting. We used a zephyr spanhammer for years, but recently the caps broke on both. Looking to change to another mallet for our new engine. Input? How does a deadblow mallet work? Rubber? etc...
Get a Snap-On plastic dead-blow mallet. Trust me, pay the extra bucks and get the Snap-on. If and WHEN you do break it, exchange it no questions asked. (yes it's what we use.)Quote:
Originally Posted by CCCFire09
The dead blow hammer was invented by a company on the East side of indianapolis called Compocast. nice family owned business.
They were bought out by Stanley tools back in the mid 80's They make all the deadblows on the market with a proprietary molding process and sell them to Snap-on , Mac tools , Matco tools , Sears and many others by changing the name imprint on the mold.
I have in my personal collection everything from a 2 oz up to 14 lb sledge in ballpein and urethane faced. They will get the job done and not damage the chrome plating. Also good on a stuck hydrant cap.
You can get new caps for them. I dont rember where I got them, just had to replace one.
We use dead blow hammers as well. Used rubber mallets years ago and hated them.
We have used rubber mallets since before they were invented. Work fine, never had an issue.
I know where to get them, but the company is not responding to e-mails, and their website lists that they are 12 weeks behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by sklump
Sounds like we are getting a deadblow.
Try a Google search for "NUPLA DEAD BLOW HAMMER"
Available in a couple of sizes - ~ $25.00 and so far, indestructable.
Can be found at Sears, Amazon, Grainger etc.
We to use dead-blow mallets. We have not had any issues. If your looking to purchase try Graingers, McMaster-carr, or any good supplier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiefKN
We also did as well. Usually if you kept the face of the male thread surface smooth and used a good gasket, a fireman could used his arms muscles to get a good tight seal on the hard sleeve couplings.
Very seldom did I ever use a mallet on a wing lug when I was a driver.
Now days, everyone want to beat the crap out of the wing lugs and ruin the gaskets.
When I coupled two sections of hand line hose with my hands, you didn't need a spanner to check it up. But you need one to loosen the connection!
always used the rubber mallets. nothing fancy and they have held up for years
alot of rural depts use bowling pins.... no joke, they work well.
I would have to agree. We now carry spare gaskets because of some mutual aide companies' insistense on crushing them by using a mallet. We have never had an issue when we hand tightened a suction trying to pull prime. That is other than when we had a bad gasket.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptOldTimer
There have been many times when we had to use a rubber mallet to remove the suction after use, but we do not want them used to set up.
we are now all Dead Blow all the time ................
How about the good old bowling pin???? :D
I know where the bowling pins are made. I might be able to get blemish or second quality pins.
I look like a bowling pin...does that count?
Real men do not use hammers to tighten up...they use hammers to loosen up...
I use a freakin big dead blow...
We still have some bowling pins floating around. I like them better than any mallet I've used, but we've never bought a dead blow...Quote:
Originally Posted by Fyrtrks
Plus, you can throw the pin into the porta tank to help break up the little vortices that draw air into the strainer as it floats on the surface.
I thought that's what the probies were for ! :-}Quote:
Originally Posted by npfd801
We also carry the bowling pins on our older engines. Rarely have I ever had to use a hammer/dead blow/ bowling pin.