# Selecting Concrete Breaker Attachments - **Type:** Tradie Guide Let’s be real. Of all the hundreds of jobs on a worksite on any given day, few are more fun than breaking concrete. When it comes to demo day, concrete breakers and hammers are a go-to piece of kit. But a concrete breaker or concrete cutter wouldn’t be anything without the proper concrete breaker attachment. At Hirepool, we’ve got heaps of [concrete breakers for hire](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md), as well as different [concrete breaker attachments](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/accessories-attachments/246b-concrete-breakers-electric-spades-and-wide-chisels.md) depending on your job. Our team often gets asked which option to choose. So, we’ve written this guide to point you in the right direction. Here’s what we’ll go over: [What is a concrete breaker?](#what-is-a-concrete-breaker) [Why it’s important to choose the right concrete breaker attachment](#why-its-important-to-choose-the-right-concrete-breaker-attachment) [Considerations when choosing the right concrete breaker attachment](#considerations-when-choosing-the-right-concrete-breaker-attachment) [Choosing the right chisels or attachments for your concrete breaker](#choosing-the-right-chisels-or-attachments-for-your-concrete-breaker) [How to change concrete breaker attachments](#how-to-change-concrete-breaker-attachments) ## What is a concrete breaker? Over the years, concrete breakers have evolved from large, heavy and noisy machines requiring strength. Nowadays, concrete breakers are much lighter and quieter with much less vibration. Sometimes called a jackhammer, a concrete breaker uses a hydraulic system to thrust a concrete breaker attachment into concrete to break it. Seems simple, right? But there’s a bit more to it than that. We unpack this gear in more detail in our [advanced gear guide on concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/the-advanced-gear-guide-concrete-breakers.md). ## Why it’s important to choose the right concrete breaker attachment You won’t get the best from your concrete breaker or concrete hammer if you don’t use the proper inserts and attachments. But what does that actually mean when it comes to demo day on the work site? ### Get the job done quicker If you’re using a concrete breaker with the wrong attachment for a long period, you’ll get fatigued pretty quickly, and productivity will slow. Now, you may not care about this too much, but your boss certainly will. If you don’t choose the right attachment, you could also end up doubling or even tripling your workload. **Top tip:** If you’re new to using a concrete breaker or concrete saw, read our guide on [how to break up concrete](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/diy/how-to-break-up-concrete.md). ### Safety on the work site Safety is always the top priority on the work site. When it comes to breaking concrete, there are a [few things to keep in mind](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/concrete/), from [silica dust](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/dust/silica-dust-in-the-workplace/) to safely using gear. Using the proper concrete breaker attachment will mean you avoid slipping or unnecessary vibrations, which can [cause injuries](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/vibration/). As well as that, the extra fatigue from not using the concrete breaker properly will mean you’re more likely to make mistakes. ### The attachment will last longer Now, if you’re hiring a concrete breaker and attachments, this may not bother you so much. But it does us here at Hirepool! If you don’t use the proper concrete breaker attachment for the job, it can wear down quickly and even break. Believe it or not, there are [heaps of different attachment options](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/accessories-attachments/246b-concrete-breakers-electric-spades-and-wide-chisels.md). But more on them soon. ## Considerations when choosing the right concrete breaker attachment Sure, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction with our [equipment for hire](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment.md). But, it can save you some time weighing up your options when you know what to look for. After all, time is money. Here are the main considerations. ### The type of concrete you’re working with [Not all concrete is the same](https://concretenz.org.nz/page/cements). Some concrete is harder, whereas others are softer. Getting your head around what concrete you’re working with will help you to decide which attachment is best. As well as that concrete breakers can also be used with tiles, lino and even brick. **Top tip**: If you are working with tiles, read our guide on [removing floor tiles](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/diy/removing-floor-tiles.md). It’ll help you to get the job done the smart way. ### How precise you need to be Our concrete breaker attachments come in different shapes and sizes. If you’re working in a tight area and need to be precise, you may need to use a smaller or pointed attachment. If you’re breaking a large area of concrete, a wider attachment may be the way to go. ### Where you're breaking concrete Now, you won’t always be breaking concrete on a pathway or driveway. Some tradies also need to break concrete on walls or in narrow spaces. If this is you, you may want to use a wall chisel that is shorter in length. That way, you can get closer to where you’re working. ### The concrete breaker you’re using Not all concrete breaker attachments work with all concrete breakers. Try to use the same brand for attachments as your concrete breaker. At Hirepool, we’re proud to supply Hilti [concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md). ## Choosing the right chisels or attachments for your concrete breaker So, now that you have an idea of why it’s important to choose the right attachment and key considerations, what options are available at Hirepool? We’ve got [wide chisels, spades](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/accessories-attachments/246b-concrete-breakers-electric-spades-and-wide-chisels.md), [pointed chisels](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/accessories-attachments/246a-concrete-breakers-electric-points-and-chisels.md?addToCart) and more. ### Pointed chisel bits The ‘classic’ pointed chisel is great for demolishing concrete, brick or block, and creating new openings at any position within the slab. A self-sharpening tip helps to work more efficiently and for longer with the same chisel, with no resharpening or re-hardening necessary. Multiple lengths are usually available. Use shorter bits for best energy transmission and increased longevity, and longer ones for piercing deeper or reaching into tight spaces. ### Flat chisel bits Perfect for channeling, the flat-headed chisel is for use on concrete brick or block. High-quality manufactured bits like those of Hilti are usually self-sharpening, allowing you to work more effectively without re-sharpening or re-hardening. ### Scaling chisels Scaling chisels are perfect for scraping away weld spatter, formwork seepage and other residues (one-sided cutting edge). They can also be used for channelling in concrete with one straight edge, and removing tile, laminate or other composite material. ### Floor scrapers When lifting floor materials like linoleum, vinyl tile (PVC), laminate or adhesives, there is no more efficient insert than a floor scraper. While flathead chisels or scaling chisels are often employed for this type of work, the customised thinner blade of a floor scraper attachment is designed specifically to lift floor material more cleanly and easily. **Top tip:** At Hirepool, we also have a range of [concrete grinders for hire](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-grinders.md). These can be great if you’re about to prep subfloor for new flooring. ### Bushing tools As well as removing excess concrete, a bushing tool is perfect for roughening concrete surfaces to receive new coatings better. An example of this is working with adhesive before laying tiles. ### Clay spade chisels The term ‘concrete breaker’ can be a bit misleading when introducing an insert like a clay spade chisel. Rather than demolishing concrete, a clay spade chisel is used as… well… a spade to break through clay, hard-packed gravel or dirt. ### Shanks and tamping plates As well as being able to break large pieces of concrete, heavy breakers can also double as compactors, using a shank and tamping plate. When attached, these inserts allow the worker to use the breaker for compacting ground and tamping asphalt. ### Brick channel chisels Specifically for gouging channels in masonry, a brick channel chisel is great for creating channels in (hollow) brick walls for recessed conduits. ### Joint chisels This type of chisel is perfect for removing mortar between bricks/blockwork, tuck pointing or preparing mortar joints for caulking or seaming. ### Ballast tampers This type of breaker attachment is highly specific: it is used for tamping ballast underneath railroad ties to increase the lifespan of the tracks. ## How to change concrete breaker attachments Thankfully, you don’t need a university degree to change concrete breaker attachments. In fact, it’s really easy. Here’s how: 1. Ensure the concrete breaker is turned off 2. Unscrew the previous concrete breaker attachment 3. Dust off the attachment area 4. Screw in the new concrete breaker attachment It’s that easy! As always, [safety needs to be top priority when it comes to power tools](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/power-tools/). So, be careful and watch your fingers. If you are in need of safety gear, have a look at some of our consumables online. You can buy things like [gloves](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/safety-gloves.md) and [earmuffs](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/safety-ear-wear.md). ## Crack on with demo day thanks to Hirepool A concrete breaker is a fun and helpful piece of kit to use. As well as concrete, it can break other materials like brick or tiles as well. But it’s important to take the time to pick out the right concrete breaker attachment for the task at hand. At Hirepool, we’ve got different [concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md) and [concrete breaker attachments](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/accessories-attachments/246b-concrete-breakers-electric-spades-and-wide-chisels.md) to choose from. As well as that, check out our other demo and masonry equipment, including concrete grinders, concrete cutters and [concrete saws](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/saws/224b-concrete-saw-petrol-350mm.md). We’ve even got an [advanced gear guide for concrete cutters](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/advanced-gear-guide-concrete-saws.md). For more details, sing out to [your local Hirepool team](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/branches.md). Source: https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/trade/selecting-concrete-breaker-attachments