A cold chisel cuts metal cold, which means the edge angle is everything: too sharp and it folds, too blunt and it will not bite. The other variable is the struck end, which mushrooms if the chisel is softer than the hammer.
| Type | Use | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Flat chisel | Shearing bolts, rivets, plate | 150-300 mm, 10-25 mm cut |
| Cross-cut chisel | Cutting grooves and keyways | 150-250 mm |
| Half-round chisel | Curved grooves, oil channels | 150-250 mm |
| Diamond point | Cleaning corners, chipping welds | 150-200 mm |
| Brick chisel | Cutting brick and block | 200-300 mm, 50-75 mm blade |
Sizes are typical ranges; confirm the shank type (hex or octagonal) for your holder.
Soft metals want a sharper angle, roughly 60 degrees, so the edge bites. Cast iron and hard steels want 70 degrees or more, because a thin edge chips under impact.
If the edge folds over instead of cutting, the angle is too sharp or the steel is too soft; if it skips, the angle is too blunt.
A chisel harder than the hammer is fine. A chisel softer than the hammer mushrooms at the struck end, and a mushroomed end can spall. Dress it back with a grinder and wear eye protection.
This is why the hammer matters: a 600 g ball pein or club hammer is the right pairing, not a claw hammer.
A cold chisel set of 3 or 5 pieces covers most workshops: one flat, one cross-cut, one half-round, plus two sizes of flat. Sets are the usual retail format; singles are bought by fabricators who wear out one size.
For export, sets are packed 6 to 12 per carton; custom roll pouches and printed sleeves are available from 500 sets.
Cutting and shearing metal cold: bolts, rivets, plate, welds, plus cutting brick and block with a brick chisel.
Typically 150-300 mm long with 10-25 mm cutting edges; brick chisels run wider, 50-75 mm.
About 60 degrees for soft metals and 70 degrees or more for cast iron and hard steel.
The chisel is softer than the hammer, or it has been struck off-centre. Dress the end back and use a heavier hammer with a controlled blow.
Yes, in 3 and 5 piece sets and as singles, with OEM marking and printed sleeves from 500 sets.
