I finally stopped using my brand new chisel as a pry bar.

I was framing a wall in a small garage up in Tacoma last Tuesday and my nail gun jammed. Without thinking, I grabbed my brand new Narex chisel to pry the nail out. Snapped the tip clean off on the second twist. Cost me $35 for a new one and lost an hour driving to the tool shop. My old boss always told me a chisel is for cutting, not prying, and I laughed it off. Now I keep a dedicated flat bar in my back pocket so I don't do it again. Has anyone else wrecked a good tool by using it for the wrong job?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_fox71mo ago

Oh man, "snapped the tip clean off on the second twist" - that's almost impressive. I turned my favorite flathead screwdriver into a mini crowbar trying to open a paint can last month. Now the tip looks like a melted candy cane. The worst part is you know you're doing something stupid while you're doing it, but the job's right there and you just gotta get it done. I think every tool box has a graveyard of once-nice tools that died because we were too lazy to walk 20 feet for the right one.

nathana481mo ago

Borrowed my buddy's brand new Wiha screwdriver to pop a stubborn battery terminal clamp. The whole handle twisted right off in my hand, left the metal shaft stuck in the clamp like a little flagpole. He still brings it up every time we work on his truck.

the_oscar1mo ago

A little bit of heat on the battery terminal bolts first would've saved that whole mess. Those Wiha handles are tough but they're not made for that kind of side load. Next time grab a cheap six-point socket and a breaker bar instead. The metal shaft left behind is the real problem though. You can try twisting it out with a pair of vice grips if you get some penetrating oil on there. Just tell your buddy you were testing the warranty for him.