General information
A general purpose or agricultural tool, for beneficiary distributions. Forged iron tool, strong and durable.
Local customs vary, resulting in tools of different shapes and sizes. Check the appropriateness of the tool being supplied. The way in which the tool is secured to the handle also varies from region to region (e.g., sunken eye, raised eye, spike).
Generally, cast iron tools are more fragile than forged. Some manufacturers produce very low-quality tools. Test several samples to their breaking point, prior to purchasing. Refer to strength testing section in Specifications.
- The terms "cast" and "forged" refer to the manufacturing process used to form the head of the tool.
- Casting involves turning metal into its molten liquid state, which is then poured into a mould to form the axe head.
- Forging involves pounding or compressing metal, in its solid form (cold or hot red), into the desired tool shape; thereafter, a number of other machining steps are necessary to complete the production.
Handles are often purchased separately from wood suppliers, or can be made locally by the beneficiaries. Where purchased, specify the required minimum length, diameter and type of wood.
Some specifications may vary with national standards and local market conditions. For locally sourced items, check the relevant national standards or specifications. Any important variation from the EIC standard needs to be approved by a specialist.
Specifications
Pickaxe
Hot-forged carbon steel, hardened and tempered: at a maximum, the hardened zone should extend from their respective tips to half way up both the blade and pick.
|
Quality: |
No excess metal, no dents. |
|
Rockwell hardness C (HRC): |
35 minimum to 48 maximum in hardened zone of the blade. |
|
Carbon content: |
0.4% to 0.5% |
|
Manganese content: |
0.5% to 0.8% |
|
Silicone content: |
0.25% maximum |
|
Phosphorus and Sulphur: |
0.06% maximum |
|
Dimension, full piece: |
As per order |
|
Hole diameter: |
Front side 36mm, backside 40mm |
|
Weight: |
As per order |
Strength testing:
- Fitted with a standard hardwood handle, the blade end is clamped in a horizontal position near the handle; a load of 45kg is gradually applied and maintained for 2 minutes. This results in no damage to the blade or loosening of the handle and no permanent set in excess of 25mm.
- With one centimetre of the blade end fixed in a clamp, the handle is moved back and forth 30 degrees. No permanent set greater than 25mm results.
- With the pick end held in a digging position, a piece of wood 37mm in diameter is hit hard against it. The blade does not buckle or break.
If supplied with handle:
Smooth surface: no chips, rough surfaces, holes or knots. Dry, strong flexible wood. Handle adjusted to head in order to protrude through to the other side of the head, where it is secured in place.