2.9.3 Using Punches and Cold Chisels Safely • Always wear eye protection when working with chisels and punches. • Always strike a punch or chisel squarely. An off-center blow could cause damage or injury. • Never use a cold chisel to cut or split mate- rials, such as stone or concrete. • Never use a dull chisel or a punch that has a chipped or deformed point. • Never use a chisel or punch with a mush- roomed head. Grind off the mushroom to form a chamfer. Avoid overheating when grinding. Safety Note Mushroomed Chisel Never use a chisel that has a mush- roomed head (striking face) since chips of metal could fly off and cause injury. Use a grinder to dress the chisel (remove the mushroomed metal and form a smooth chamfer), Figure 2-47. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 2-46. A cold chisel can be used to cut through bolts, pins, or other metal fasteners or parts. State of Ohio Figure 2-47. A chisel or punch with a mushroomed head is dangerous because bits of metal can fly off when the tool is struck. A properly dressed chisel or punch is ground to a smooth chamfer as shown. Chapter 2 Hand Tools 33 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.