A Hand Wedge Setter Will Help Achieve Uniform Wedge Placement
Before tensioning forces can be applied to the strand, wedges need to be set. To give those wedges a good head start, they’re tapped into the anchor pocket before the jack does its job. It’s common to see tensioning crews use hammers, or whatever they have on hand, to do this. However, there is a tool built for the task, and it can significantly improve your team’s efficiency.
That tool is a hand wedge setter, and it specializes in securing wedges in the pocket prior to tensioning. They’re extremely simple to use, built for the task and economical, so they’re an ideal fit in any crew’s toolkit.
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A Closer Look at the Hand Wedge Setter
What sets a hand wedge setter apart from other blunt force tools is its shape. Specifically, its bent rod shape is purpose-built for accessing wedges in the anchor pocket. During use, the pocket former is pulled out of the anchor pocket first.
Once it is, the wedges are placed into the casting and hand wedge tool and then used to drive the wedges into the casting.
Two Reasons Why Post Tensioning Tool Kits Should Include a Hand Wedge Setter
As simple as they are, hand wedge setters can still add a lot of value. Here’s three reasons why hand wedge setters are worth considering for your team:
Improved speed
Hand wedge setters are simple to use, even compared to a hammer. Instead of tapping the wedge in with several blows, a hand wedge setter allows tensioning crews to push the wedge in with one motion. This single, fluid motion is significantly faster than using a hammer. How much faster? At least several seconds faster, which doesn’t mean much in isolation. Repeated hundreds of times, though? What seems like a slight speed advantage is a big productivity boost, even over the course of a single project.
What also speeds things up is the precision involved. Because hand wedge setters are reliably precise, workers don’t need to spend extra time ensuring they’ve hammered the wedges in properly. That’s another speed and productivity advantage.
Improved seating precision
Hand wedge setters are the best at what they do. Compared to hammers, wrenches, rocks or any other blunt object, hand wedge setters ensure better alignment in the pocket. This superior alignment is a significant quality advantage. Better alignment on the strand means better anchorage, and better anchorage is less likely to fail and cause damage. If better anchor installation is a focus, then a hand wedge setter can help.
Choose a Hand Wedge Setter that’s Durable and Easy to Handle
Given their economy and basic design, there isn’t much variety among hand wedge setters. The only things to keep in mind are durability and usability. Post tensioning worksites are exposed to dust, moisture, oils, chemicals, wet cement and other hazards – and these will take their toll on your hand wedge setters if they aren’t of quality construction. Further, hand wedge setters are constantly dropped, tossed, and banged around, so they need to take the occasional knock without sustaining damage.
Another thing to consider is ease of use. Weight is the major factor here, as a lighter tool is an easier tool to manage.
Flickinger Machine Can Source Hand Wedge Setters and Other Stressing Accessories
Flickinger Machine offers a full assortment of tensioning accessories, including hand wedge setting tools that are built to last and built for repetitive use, making them a reliable fit for the tough conditions tensioning teams face. In addition, we provide troubleshooting anchors, wedge seaters, nose pieces and various wedges.
If your team needs to add to its post tensioning toolkit or service its existing tools, we can help. Our expertise in all things post tensioning equipment means we can maintain your hydraulic pumps, post tensioning jacks, hydraulic cylinders, spreaders, torque wrenches and other heavy-duty machinery. From the simplest tensioning accessory to complex jack and pump systems, we’re equipped to help equip your team.