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How to Use a Demolition Jack Hammer Safely

Knowing how to use a demolition jack hammer is essential for its effective and safe operation.

DIYers and professionals all around the world use demolition jackhammers for their notorious work. Undoubtedly, this tool is amazingly useful.

But it’s somewhat dangerous to use if you don’t know how to use a demolition jack hammer safely. Improper use may cause serious damage to property and yourself. This post will help you to learn the proper and safe uses of a demolition jackhammer.

How to Use a Demolition Jack Hammer Safely and Efficiently- 11 Steps

Follow these Step-By-Step guidelines to learn how to use a demolition jackhammer effectively and of course safely.

1. Educate Yourself

Whether you’re a DIYers or professional, it’s essential to undergo proper training to use this tool. It requires prior knowledge to use the jackhammer properly and safely.

2. Prepare Your Working Area

Inspect your working area for fixtures, electrical outlets, hidden gas or water pipes, etc. before start demolition. It’s safe to take help from the local utility company in doing so.

If there are taps covering the tiles, eliminate these. Turn the power off to the room if there is an electrical outlet. Make sure that the water, gas, and electricity supply is locked out.

3. Inspect the Condition of Your Tool

Inspect your jackhammer for any damage, wear, or defects before and after each use. Check all the components are in working condition and secure. Also, check the electric cord for wear and tear.

Still, didn’t get the right jackhammer for your demolition projects? Take a look at our Expert reviews to find the top-rated demolition hammer.

4. Check the Oil Level and Add Oil to The Jackhammer

Before you use your jackhammer you’ll need to check the oil level in the jackhammer. Pull the jackhammer upright. In the oil window, you may see an oil level. If you don’t see the oil level, the jackhammer does have oil in it. And you’ll need to fill it. If the oil is halfway or above, you don’t need to insert more oil.

5. Attach the Chisel

Insert the right chisel orbit for the material you are likely to demolish. Some common chisels are bull point, flat, clay spade, drill bit, and asphalt cutting.

6. Wear Personal Safety Equipment

Wearing necessary safety gear is a must before using a jackhammer. These include at least work gloves, goggles, ear muffs or buds a hat, respirator, steel-toed shoes. Wear trousers and long-sleeved clothing to protect your legs and arms.

7. Get Mentally Prepared

A jackhammer is a heavy machine. So, you need to understand the carefulness and seriousness that this tool demands. Before starting the operation, get mentally prepared and focus on your work.

8. Position Yourself

Before start hammering the ground, place the unit at an angle leaning the handle toward you. For better control and results, it’s the best way to start.

9. Start from the Right Point

Where to start hammering is important. For demolishing a floor, start at an edge. Begin in the corner or center may cause debris builds issues later on. Try to work from inside to out. It’s better to remove the debris easily.

10. Keep a Tight Grip

Maintain a tight grip on the machine when you’re pressing it into the surface you’re demolishing. If you exert light pressure, the hammer may slip and cause serious accidents.

11. Take a Break, seriously!

You need to make your mind refreshed to avoid fatigue and focus on your work. So, take regular-times breaks when using this powerful machine to give your body a much-needed recovery. Don’t try to accomplish your long project in one go.

How to Add Oil to Demolition Jackhammer

For adding oil, place the jackhammer with the oil window facing you. 

Open the cap up the oil container and replace it with the oil funnel. 

By using the included wrench, twist the oil cap counterclockwise.

Now pour the oil into the opening as needed. Replace the cap and tighten it with the provided wrench.

Check the oil once again to make sure you see the oil in the window.

How to Attach the Chisel to the Demolition Jackhammer

Inserting chisel to jackhammer

Lay your hammer safely on its side or upright.

Insert the flat-ended part of the bit into the hammer as far as it will go.

Then, lift the metal lock and pull away from the bit, and twist to lock the bit into the jackhammer.

Checking and Changing the Carbon Brushes

Carbon brush cleaning

When your jackhammer begins to slow down or shut off, the carbon brushes may need to be replaced by the cup.

The carbon brushes can be found on either side of the jackhammer enclosed in black metal.

To check the carbon brush, remove the first two screws on both sides of the casing by using a Philips Head Screwdriver.

Then use a flat head screwdriver or coin to unscrew the inner screw. This will open up the full casing for the carbon brush.

If your carbon brush is full and square, it’s still in good condition. When your carbon brush needs replacement, it’ll be flattened and grooved noticeably.

Slide the new brush into the casing and screw back the casing as it was before.

Check both sides once a month or if the jackhammer is slowing down or not turning on. 

8 Safety Tips for Using a Jackhammer

  1. Be aware of the rock type. Sand, clay, and masonry may contain microscopic particles known as crystalline silica or quartz. These are fatal for unprotected eyes and associated with several health hazards. So, understand what you’re going to hammer BEFORE you hammer it. Follow good safety protocols.
  2. Make sure the air hose or electric cord is secured. Have the power cord places far away from the area around the impact point. Also, keep the cable untangled. And never operate the hammer in wet areas or when raining.
  3. In case the unit’s power button is flipped on, an accident may occur. So, don’t allow anyone else standing in the area you’re demolishing. Make sure you flip on the safety lock feature of your hammer to avoid unexpected triggers and accidents.
  4. Don’t use a demolition jackhammer to demolish the materials directly over your head.
  5. When demolishing concrete walls, don’t try to break large portion at a time; otherwise the large debris may fall on your feet or leg. Try to break the small portion at a time. 
  6. Maintain your jackhammer regularly. Replace immediately any worn, damaged or defective components as you notice them.
  7. Don’t forget to read the manual before operating and obey all safety warning.
  8. To combat the initial dust, first, douse the surface that you’re going to demolish with some water. It’ll help you to reduce the initial dust immensely and ensure you a more favorable environment for breathing. Moreover, the decrease in dust will also increase visibility and allow you to work efficiently. 

Conclusion

Adequate and precautionary care is a must to work efficiently and safely with a demolition jack hammer. In fact, the overall success- and safety of your DIY demolition project is going to be in YOUR hands.

I hope, these guidelines on how to use a demolition jack hammer will help you to accomplish your demolishing tasks efficiently and safely.

Grab and get to work!

11 thoughts on “How to Use a Demolition Jack Hammer Safely”

  1. I thought it was interesting when you explained that it is important to wear shoes that have steel toes when you are using a jackhammer for a demolition project. My uncle has an old house on his property that he wants to tear down, and he is planning on using a jackhammer in order to remove some concrete.

  2. That’s a good idea to make sure that you don’t break large portions of walls at a time. I could see how that could easily cause it to fall in an unpredictable way. If I decide to demolish part of my house to renovate it, I’ll have to remember that.

  3. It makes sense to always check out the jackhammer for damages before you actually start using it. My brother is working for a new construction company this year and needs to get some power tools like this. We want him to be safe on the worksite, so I’ll send him your article so that he has this information fresh in his mind.

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  6. I like how you wrote about How To Use A Demolition Jack Hammer Safely-11 Steps.

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  7. It’s good to learn that you should regularly maintain a jackhammer. My brother is preparing to work as a demolition contractor. I’ll be sure to tell him that he should regularly maintain a jackhammer.

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