Hammering Bolts
Hi all,
I've recently come across some ~ 3 yr old stainless bolts with corrosion on the end. I am convinced this is because of sloppy hammering as they've been driven into the holes (other evidence: mushroomed head on the expansion wedge).
I was recently training others how to install bolts, and noticed that some people that haven't grown up swinging a hammer much had sloppy hits on the bolts, which I am confident imparted some iron contamination into the stainless steel, inducing localized corrosion. I am further confident it is "messy" hammering inducing the corrosion observed on new bolts as well.
How do you hammer in the bolts to ensure a clean finish, with minimal tool marks? Some things I've picked up:
- Positioning yourself roughly at eye level to the bolt
- Using two hands on the hammer if body positioning is awkward
- Follow-through on the swing (maybe I should've been a golfer..)
- Not using a hammer that has obvious rust on the impact surface
- Nut flush or slightly proud of the anchor
IMO, this is an important aspect of bolt longevity that is not well-discussed in bolting literature (UIAA bolting standards, HowNot2 bolting bible, etc.)
I'd like to get some sort of tool (like a socket, but less droppable..) that can act as a medium between the bolt and the hammer, but before I go re-inventing the wheel, I'd love to learn what others have done to ensure a tidy, clean installation of wedge bolts without leaving tool marks
*Stainless steel or titanium hammers are too pricey and out of the question
TIA!""
**Edit**
Holes are being drilled using a rotary hammer, not by hand