What are the parts of a slater’s ripper?
What are the parts of a slater’s ripper? |
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Blade |
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A slater’s ripper has a long blade designed to reach up beneath slates and rip out nails. | |||
Handle |
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A slater’s ripper has a handle at one end, usually with a recessed grip, so that the user can take a firm hold of the ripper.The handle is upright, (offset), at an angle to the blade and usually has a front portion at the front, which is designed to be hit with a hammer for additional force. | |||
| The offset handle protects the user’s hand from any potential blows of the hammer, and also from coming into contact with slate, which could cause injury. | ||||
Hook |
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At the end of the slater’s ripper is a hooked blade. The hook is used to completely remove the nails or nail heads that hold the slate in place, so that the slate can then be removed. | |||
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NotchAt the end of the blade is a notch. If part of a nail breaks off, the notch at the tip of the blade on the slater’s ripper is pushed up against the nail and held there. |
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Not all slater’s rippers have this notch, though. Some have a flat edge which is kept sharpened and is pushed up flat against the nail. | |||
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In either case, a small hammer is then used to hit against the base of the handle, away from the user, in order to push the ripper upwards. This action cuts off the remaining part of the nail and the slate can then be removed. | |||
