Cold Chisels

About Cold Chisels

Cold chisels are hardened steel hand tools designed for cutting and shaping metal without heat, making them essential for metalwork, fabrication, and general engineering tasks. Featuring a bevelled cutting edge and a striking head built to withstand repeated hammer blows, these robust tools excel at removing rivets, cutting metal stock, chipping away rust, and shaping various metal components. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks an extensive range of cold chisels from trusted manufacturers including Draper, Sealey, Roughneck, Stanley, and Faithfull.

Available as individual chisels or comprehensive sets ranging from 4 to 12 pieces, our selection includes flat chisels for general cutting work, plugging chisels for masonry channels, and professional-grade options with octagonal shanks for improved grip and stability. Many models feature integrated hand guards and ergonomic grips for enhanced safety and comfort during extended use, whilst heat-treated cutting edges deliver exceptional durability in demanding trade applications.

Applications

Cold chisels are indispensable tools across numerous trades and applications:

• General Engineers – cutting, shaping and removing metal components in fabrication and repair work
• Motor Mechanics – removing seized bolts, rivets and rusted fixings during vehicle maintenance
• Electricians – cutting cable channels in masonry using plugging chisels
• Plumbers – accessing pipework by removing metal fixings and brackets
• Welders and Fabricators – preparing metalwork and removing excess material
• Maintenance Fitters – general metalwork and machinery repair in industrial settings
• Construction Workers – cutting and shaping metal fixings, brackets and reinforcement on site
• DIY Enthusiasts – home metalwork projects, restoration work and general repairs

Choosing The Right Cold Chisels

Individual or Set: Multi-piece sets from brands like Draper and Roughneck offer excellent value and ensure you have the right width for various applications, whilst individual chisels allow you to replace worn tools or add specialist profiles to your existing collection.

Shank Design: Octagonal shanks are preferred for professional use as they won't roll off workbenches and provide superior grip. Look for substantial shaft diameters (10-16mm) for durability under heavy striking.

Hand Protection: Models with integrated hand guards or rubber grips significantly improve safety and comfort during regular use, protecting against glancing hammer blows whilst reducing vibration transmission.

Quality and Heat Treatment: Professional-grade chisels from Draper Expert and Faithfull feature superior heat treatment for harder, longer-lasting cutting edges. Drop-forged or heat-treated carbon steel ensures reliable performance in demanding trade applications.

Width Selection: Cold chisels typically range from 6mm to 25mm width. Narrow chisels (6-12mm) excel at detailed work, whilst wider chisels (18-25mm) remove material more quickly. A set with 3-4 different widths covers most general applications available at MyToolShed.co.uk.

Safety Information

Eye Protection is Mandatory: Always wear safety goggles or a full face shield when using cold chisels. Flying metal fragments pose a serious risk of eye injury under HSE guidelines for metalworking operations.

Inspect Before Use: Check cold chisels for mushroomed heads before each use. Grind back any deformed striking surfaces to prevent dangerous metal fragments breaking off during use.

Secure the Workpiece: Always clamp or secure material in a vice. Never hold small pieces by hand whilst chiselling, and use appropriately sized hammers with proper striking technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a cold chisel and a bolster chisel?
Cold chisels are designed for cutting metal with narrow profiles (6-25mm wide), whilst bolster chisels have much wider blades (75-100mm) specifically for cutting bricks, blocks and lifting floorboards. The two tools aren't interchangeable due to different metallurgy and edge angles.

How do I sharpen a cold chisel?
Use a bench grinder to restore the cutting edge, maintaining the original 60-degree angle. Grind evenly across the edge and dip frequently in water to prevent overheating, which can destroy the heat treatment. Always wear eye protection when grinding.

What size cold chisel do I need for general workshop use?
A 12-19mm flat cold chisel handles most general metalwork applications. However, a 4 or 5-piece set from brands like Sealey or Stanley offering sizes from 6mm to 25mm provides better versatility and represents excellent value at MyToolShed.co.uk.