Q. How are Rockeater tools sold?
A. In the United Kingdom our home market we keep large stocks of tool bits which we retail domestically. We also Supply domestic OEMs tools who sell our product worldwide under their own brand name...In most other countries we wholesale tools and also supply tools to OEMs. Generally we manufacture tools to order and ship them out in loads from 1 ton to 20 ton at a time. The delivery time depends on how busy we are and the mix of tools that are required. It is best to place your order as early as possible so that you are not out of stock when your customer calls. Many customers advise advance repeat monthly or repeat periodic orders. Some customers give us a six month or yearly schedule with required delivery dates.
Q. Are Rockeater tools the best tools available?
A. We pride ourselves as being the makers of the world’s finest most versatile hydraulic breaker steels. Back in 1967 when We introduced the Rockeater line of hydraulic tools we had little or no competition. Today there are many manufacturers of hammer tools. Most of the tools produced are of a low and inferior quality. However there are now 3 or 4 manufacturers in the world who produce good quality tools that are akin to the Rockeater brand...
Q. All hammer tools look similar .Why are all hammer tools not the same?
A. Hammer tools must be of the correct dimensions in order for them to work correctly in your hammer. All dimensions are important NOT just the tool diameter. Fitting a tool with the wrong dimensions may damage your hammer or the your hammer may not
Work at all.
Hammer tools are subject to severe blows and stresses. Repetitive percussions are transmitted to the tool in the form of alternating stresses. Compressive stress occurs upon impact. The tool is microscopically compressed. The tool then Microscopically (rebounds) elongates once again until the next percussion. This alternating compression and elongation happens with each blow of the hammer. The tool itself needs to have durability as well as some microscopic elasticity. The correct choice of steel alloy and its chemical composition along with state of the art heat treatment allows us to achieve the various properties that a high quality tool demands
Hammer tools are constantly subject to these alternating stresses. The Force transmitted by the tool is such that this stress is inevitably higher than the Fatigue limit of the steel. Consequently the tool, if not replaced as a result of wear even if correctly used
Could eventually fail over time as a result of fatigue.
Good Quality tools have a much higher fatigue threshold than poorer quality tools. Cheaper tools tend to be harder but are more brittle and have a lower fatigue threshold. Cheaper harder tools will also cause damage to your hydraulic hammer.
Q. Should I protect my hammer tool from corrosion?
A. Yes indeed when your hammer is not in use grease up the tool to avoid surface corrosion. What often appears as just surface corrosion can spread just a little into the tool. When the tool is put back into service stress can build up at this corrosion point and cause premature failure. A tool left out and exposed to the elements all winter is five times more likely to fail than a protected tool.
Q. Are there any precautions to take in cold weather?
A. Yes it's a good idea to take precautions. In cold weather tools become more fragile and are much more prone to breakage. If possible take out the tool and put indoors over night. If this is not possible it is advisable to warm up the tool before use. Avoid heavy duty operations straight away. Use the hammer gently at first to allow the tool to warm up. Where it’s not possible to put the tool inside overnight and where there is soft ground close by you can afford your tool some over night frost protection by just driving the tool into the ground so its not visible. This will to some degree protect it from the frost and cold.
Q. The tool is solid steel so I guess it does not require any special handling?
A. Wrong ! Yes it is solid steel BUT you still need to handle it with care. Do not throw tools off of delivery trucks onto solid ground. Do not allow your tools to bang into other tools or other hard objects. Poor handling can cause scoring to the tool surface and this can lead to premature fatigue failure at that point...
Q. Can I sharpen my tool with a blow torch?
A. No this is a bad idea. It seems to be a good idea BUT if a tool is heated the structural condition of the steel can change. This will cause the steel to become soft and mushroom when used or it can lead the tool to break near the tip.
Q. Do I need to grease the tool bit?
A. YES .Its vital to grease your hammer and keep the tool lubricated with special Rockeater hammer tool grease (or an equivalent) Rockeater hammer tool grease is specially formulated to react chemically with the steel and if used correctly forms a protective anti seizure film. Do not use regular grease.
