Who uses Berylium copper tools

[charle10]

The junk shop I've been going to has a set of Berylco (Beryllium copper) wrenches and pipe wrenches. I though he was asking a lot for them, but wow, compared to new, he's asking chump change. What are these used for? (fuel, nat. gas industries?)

 

[bcmach]

From what I recall they are non-sparking tools and non-magnetic, usually used in areas that have explosive gasses and whatnot like you mentioned.

 

[Hiball]

Pshh.. if i have to worry about sparking tools causing problems i dont want to be anywhere near that area.

 

[Elroy]

besides their extremely high initial cost they also wear out fast. So if for example they have box end wrench inspect them very closely for wear.

Beside that Elroy agrees with this wise statement:

Pshh.. if i have to worry about sparking tools causing problems i dont want to be anywhere near that area.

 

[tony p]

Aside from the more obvious - gas, mining, explosives etc - I've heard of them being used around some unexpectedly-hazardous materials like grain products and custard powder!
Over here in Europe, Beta is one of the names with a fairly big range of Copper Beryllium stuff. They are breathtakingly expensive, but if you're gonna be wielding a punch, chisel or sledgehammer in those conditions you probably wouldn't mind the cost!
Just out of interest, there's a selection here http://www.beta-tools.co.uk/store/safety-tools-sparkproof-tools-c-2255_2256.html

 

[-B-]

I have a pipe wrench from the propane farm that used to be at the plant here, I have it in my go box for home repair.

 

[jwitt]

When I was in the Navy I was a Torpedoman, we had to use them in the magazines.
Here are a couple that I have. The large monkey/stillson whatever wrench I picked up at the fleamarket for 18.00 and the 8" adjustable was given to me by a guy at work. The movable jaw on the 8" is broken, one of these days I'm going to see about getting it replaced. They are both Ampco's.

Jim

 

[nate379]

I build bombs for a living and we just use normal tools.

Cue in music...

 

[bgott]

Don't go grinding on those tools...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper

 

[-B-]

Don't go grinding on those tools...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper

Most applies to pure beryllium as the misc in copper is low and in suspension in the mix hence the large use of it in tools, free machining raw stock, springs and golf clubs. Other wises all those products would require the hazmat protection to just handle it. trust me I know the dangers of the material in pure form as one brilliant company decided it was agrand idea to make a bicycle frame out of it. The prep of the frame alone was a hazmat situation full protective gear, close of the ventilation system , ect were all mandatory in just facing and chasing the frame.

 

[american pioneer]

The junk shop I've been going to has a set of Berylco (Beryllium copper) wrenches and pipe wrenches. I though he was asking a lot for them, but wow, compared to new, he's asking chump change. What are these used for? (fuel, nat. gas industries?)

hi,used in any explosive atmosphere as they are "sparkproof"
american pioneer

 

[comedyman809]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/AMPCO-Combination-Wrench-Set-1TDZ6?Pid=search

all the ampco non-sparking/non-magnetic stuff is very expensive.

a se of hex keys 10 pcs 1/16- 3/8 is about 110 bucks!!!!! insane!!!

 

[comedyman809]

it makes sense to use non-sparking tools, but ive pounded on many tools-punches, wrenches, ratchets with many different hammers and other regular tools.

never once did i make a spark.

 

[Professur]

It's expensive ... right up until you go to count the cost on your fingers and can't get past 9. At that point, they're dirt cheap

 

[qdvuu]

A buddy who's an ex-marine (underwater demolition) said he used to wear a beryllium Rolex watch on some dives. Now that must be an expensive watch!

He also loves to tell the story where he was onboard a ship and a sailor dropped an expensive tool into a 40,000 gallon fuel tank (diesel, IIRC). So my buddy suited up in his dive gear and dove to the bottom of 40 feet of diesel fuel to get the tool.

 

[comedyman809]

A buddy who's an ex-marine (underwater demolition) said he used to wear a beryllium Rolex watch on some dives. Now that must be an expensive watch!

He also loves to tell the story where he was onboard a ship and a sailor dropped an expensive tool into a 40,000 gallon fuel tank (diesel, IIRC). So my buddy suited up in his dive gear and dove to the bottom of 40 feet of diesel fuel to get the tool.

how deep was the tank?- never mind

 

[mrholeshot]

When I was in the Navy I was a Torpedoman

Thats what the wife calls me. Small world ain't it

 

[John Timmins]

I worked on 3 U.S. flag, clean product oil tankers for years. We had non- spark tools for use on deck and in the pump room

 

[NUTTSGT]

Haz-Mat, we have set in the trailer and there's a few places in town that have sets.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Thats a fascinating alloy. Its used as in electrical contacts and socket where there will be an extremely high number of cycles (as in sockets in test equipment for electronic parts). High conductivity, very ductile and durable

 

[LincolnCont.]

you can't always trust non-sparking tools. We have a few explosive areas where they are used but here's the catch, some tools are made from solid non-sparking material while others are just regular tools that the company ordered with a weak *** copper coating ...which don't take long to flake off...you bang the big coated wrenches or use the sockets on an impact and you will see sparks. Originaly most of them were the real deal but people lose and steal them so the company replaces it with cheap alternative

 

[paramedic]

thats what we carry on hazmats scene

 

[disaster1277]

i found a 4inch ampco adj. wrench at a flea mrkt. i cant find any info on it on the like value or when it was made or discontinued i even e-mailed ampco but they haven't e-mailed back its been about a month does anyone have any info model no. W-69
thanks

 

[honcho]

Back in the 80s I remember inventorying some tools made of Berylium Copper in my unit's Special Weapons (nuke) tool kits. I was the unit maintenance officer and mainly interested in the calibration of the many torque wrenches we had to keep on hand

 

[sickboi55]

in the navy i use berylium tools when adjusting compass systems.

 

[Quint]

For my job, we've made equipment for a company in Ohio who develops and processes unique alloys like Berylium/Copper. You should see this stuff unprocessed. It's beautiful. Even their scrap looks like it's worth $1,000,000.

Highly proprietary, and also HIGH safety standards there. Respirators in nearly all of their buildings. No outside clothing aloud within their facility.

REALLY cool stuff. And their business is off the charts right now!!

 

[RBailey]

We used to use then on oil and gas tankers but the industry (including ISGOTT) has gone away from them. It has been found that the risk of breaking and personal injury outweight the risk of sparks from steel tools (which generally produce "cold" sparks).

Cheers,
Richard B.

 

[toolmaker1]

Also remember hearing of them used on maintence of MRI machines because of their non-magnetic properties. I occasionally EDM mold cores out of it because of its hardness and amazing ability to draw and conduct heat out of the mold cavity. On the downside my employer supplies no respirator or other safety equipment to myself or the guys grinding it. If it was not for my knowledge of the material before starting this job I would have no idea of the hazzards.

 

[Monte]

i only collect them

 

[clcartwr]

We use them at work while working on/around hydrogen lines.

 

[Ritter4.0]

I have a double 90* angle straight slot screwdriver made out if this I found at the pawn shop. The tips on it look practically brand new, and I only paid a dollar or so for it. Without looking at it closely, it just looks like an old rusted steel one.