ASME B107.48-2005 — Metal Chisels, Punches, and Drift Pins

🔨 ASME B107.48-2005 is a consolidated American National Standard published by the ASME B107 Committee. It merges the former B107.47M (Metal Chisels) and B107.48M (Punches and Drift Pins) into a single document and explicitly supersedes B107.47-1998. Approved as an American National Standard on March 14, 2005, it establishes performance and safety requirements for handheld and handled metal chisels, punches, and drift pins: chisels cut and shape metal objects, while punches and drift pins mark metal, drive and remove pins and rivets, and align holes in different sections of material.

1. Scope and General Framework 📌

Section 1 (Scope) provides performance and safety requirements for handheld and handled metal chisels, punches, and drift pins, with the following duty split:

• Chisels: cutting and shaping metal objects, including cold, cape, concave, splitting, diamond point, and half-round chisels;
• Punches: marking metal, driving and removing pins and rivets, starting holes (e.g., center punches);
• Drift pins: aligning holes in different sections of material, and driving and removing pins and rivets.

The Standard excludes power-driven chisels, punches, and drift pins. As with the rest of the B107 series, it does not specify manufacturing details; and the inclusion of dimensional data does not mean that all products described are stock production sizes — consumers should consult manufacturers on available stock sizes. The Standard also serves as a guide for manuals, posters, and training, and may be referenced by regulatory bodies.

2. Classifications 🧰

Section 2 (Classifications) groups products by construction and use (nomenclature per Figs. 1–4 of the Standard):

3. Performance Requirements and Test Methods 🧪

Section 5 (Performance Requirements) covers materials, hardness, and construction; Section 6 (Tests) defines three core test methods that evaluate safety-related performance:

• Impact test: using the impact parameters in Table 1 (Type I chisels), Table 2 (Type II punches), and Table 3 (Type III drift pins), a drop weight of specified energy strikes the tool to verify resistance to spalling and distortion under striking duty;
• Bending moment test: a specified bending moment is applied to the tool (Fig. 5) to verify body strength under lateral loading and prevent excessive bending and fracture;
• Static force test: a specified static force is applied to handled punches (Fig. 6) and handled chisels (Fig. 7) to verify the handle and edge capacity under pushing duty.

After every test, the product must show no cracks, chips, or permanent distortion affecting safe use. Hardness is measured by Rockwell testing (ASTM E18) at specified edge and body positions, and materials must comply with the ASTM A29/A29M, A322, A331, A576, and A681 bar and tool-steel specifications.

4. Safety Requirements and Limitations of Use 🛠️

• Eye protection: chiseling and striking throw metal fragments; operators and bystanders must wear eye and face protection per ANSI Z87.1;
• Correct hammer selection: match the hammer to the tool, with a striking face larger than the struck face, to avoid glancing blows and flying fragments;
• Mushrooming control: grind back or discard any mushroomed struck face immediately;
• Aligned striking: hold punches perpendicular to the target and guide chisel edges along the cutting direction to prevent slip injuries;
• Workpiece clamping: clamp work securely; never hold the struck workpiece in the hand;
• Marking and training: safety signs per ANSI Z535.4 and training/poster programs per this Standard.

5. Engineering Practice Essentials ⚙️

• Complete kits: assembly and maintenance jobs should use complete sets of chisels, center punches, pin punches, and drift pins, organized by hole size;
• Resharpening and re-verification: regrind dull edges and punch tips at the original geometry, recheck hardness, and keep the steel cool;
• Impact protection: use screens and anti-slip gloves in confined spaces to contain ricochet fragments;
• Procurement acceptance: request impact test, bending moment test, and hardness data as the basis for incoming inspection.

6. Frequently Asked Questions ❓