MB05 User Manual ◄ 19
METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT
Extreme caution should be used to avoid scratches or 
gouges on the surface of the tool. These areas create a 
stress concentration Metal-to-Metal Contact point, thus 
weakening the tool.
Another form of metal-to-metal contact is galling, which 
usually occurs from the lack of lubrication. Special care 
should be taken to keep the tool shank lubricated every 
two (2) to three (3) hours.
Steel failures that were caused by surface damage take 
two main forms. The simplest form is caused by deep 
scratches on working steel surface. The broken surface 
has a shell pattern around the starting point of failure, 
similar to the one in the fatigue failure. The other parts of 
the broken surface are brittle. These failures work slowly 
through the steel until it suddenly parts completely.
The second form of failure caused by surface damage 
occurs when there are deep scratches on working steel 
surface and there was also excessive bending stress. 
The broken surface also shows the shell pattern, but the 
other parts of the broken surface are brittle and usually 
have a “lip” like that in a stress failure.
Tool bits are made and heat treated to specication.
Tool bits, however well made, are wear parts, and are 
used in the most destructive applications. Even when 
the hydraulic breaker is used properly, and the operator 
is an experienced one, a tool bit may become damaged. 
When a tool bit has been damaged, it is useful to de-
termine the cause immediately in order to prevent the 
damage from occurring again.
All Stanley tool bits are machined and hardened for 
maximum performance. Care must be taken to maintain 
the tools original condition for optimum productivity and 
life expectancy. It is not uncommon for an operator who 
is unfamiliar with using a hammer to break a point. This 
is part of the learning experience.
Listed below are several methods to determine tool fail-
ure and will quickly aid in warranty determination.
TOOL FAILURE NOT COVERED 
UNDER WARRANTY
BLANK FIRING OR FREE RUNNING
This occurs when the tool is not in proper contact with 
the work, thus causing the energy produced by the ham-
mer to be concentrated on the tool retainer(s) and the 
retainer slot(s) on the tool itself. Caution should be used 
to prevent the hammer from sliding off slanted surfaces 
or when breaking through thin material.
The illustration below is typical of the kind of breakage 
that occurs from excessive blank ring.
WORN-OUT FRONT BUSHING(S) OR 
RETAINER PIN(S)
Worn-out front bushing(s) will cause the tool to become 
misaligned inside the hammer. This misalignment will 
cause uneven contact between the piston and tool, thus 
causing stress to concentrate on one particular area of 
the tool. This can also cause the tool to bind inside the 
hammer. Call your dealer for acceptable wear allow-
ances.
Worn-out retainer pin(s) will cause uneven loading on 
the pin(s) themselves, causing failure of the tool or re-
tainer pin(s). This will also cause excessive wear to the 
front bushing(s).
PROPER CARE OF TOOL BITS