The Swiss hammer is a small hammer that can be used for a variety of jobs. It is popular with jewelers and many other people who are involved with arts and crafts and who want a small and delicate tool. There are two different types of Swiss hammer, a more basic one that looks like a very small version of an ordinary hammer, and one that is the same as the Schmidt hammer. It would be hard to find two hammers that were less alike in style, reason for existence or price.
The larger of the Swiss hammers, the one that is meant to test concrete is an important part of the testing equipment. Be prepared to take the test, the concrete should be cleaned and all foreign bodies should be removed. If anything comes between the hammer and the concrete, it will give an inaccurate reading. Push the hammer against the area and push hard. You will know when you have pushed hard enough, as the trigger will release.
Release the pressure you are putting on it and the plunger will come out of the instrument. Press hard again so as you force the plunger back inside and the spring will have so much pressure on it so as the impact force will against the surface. The plunger must now be locked in place and the reading will appear on the scale. More than one reading should be taken to allow for errors.
Before you do any of this it is best to check that your hammer is working correctly. To do this you need to use a test anvil and take a number of readings. Average out all but the top and bottom ones, and this should give the figure that you will use. This should be repeated whenever you have taken 2000 tests.
There is digital Swiss hammer and manual hammer styles, and both have the good and bad points. The manual one is easier to use and the manual calculation of the result means that there is no mechanical error. There is the need, of course, to concentrate when you are doing the mental calculation and if you do not do it right away, may need the test to be taken again.
This is the traditional way to carry out the test, but before long more people will be using updated versions.The advantage of the digital model is that there is an automatic calculation and more compressive strength. This version can be attached to a pc and the results downloaded, so you have the details on paper or in a document immediately. If nothing else, it can limit the amount of times you need to repeat.
As you would imagine for such an important piece of equipment the price is quite high, but the swiss hammer is very much needed if you are in the construction industry. Manual models sell for around $540, whereas the digital model is a great deal more at $2400. The tester will set you back in the region of $790.