What is a cold chisel?

• A. A chisel with a flat tip used to notch and move stuck bolts.
• B. A round punching tool for holes.
• C. A measuring tool with small scale.
• D. A bar clamp used for bridging.

Answer: (A)

A cold chisel is a hardened steel tool with a flat, sharp edge designed to cut, notch, or shape metal by striking it with a hammer. The term “cold” means you work the metal without heating it, which helps keep the metal’s properties and avoids distortion. This makes it useful for tasks like nailing a notch, trimming edges, or freeing a stuck bolt by cutting into metal around it. The option describing a flat-edged chisel used to notch and move stuck bolts matches this use precisely. The other descriptions refer to a round punch (for holes), a measuring instrument, and a bar clamp, none of which are chisels. Always wear eye protection when using a cold chisel.