What are the parts of a moulding bar?

2nd March 2020


What are the parts of a moulding bar?


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		Moulding bar claw types
		Straight claw A straight claw is forged without a bent heel, but may incorporate a slightly curved heel on a contour bar (see the section on contour shafts below). All moulding bar claws feature nail slots.

		All moulding bars feature a straight claw at one end which is wide and flat, distributing force over a large surface area to decrease the risk of damage to materials, and providing a stable base to prevent rocking. The straight claw on a moulding bar is designed for prying beneath and lifting materials without damage. It can also be used to pull up small nails.

		Bent claw A bent claw offers increased leverage. All moulding bar claws feature nail slots, and have flat heels. The bent claw can be used for slightly heavier duty tasks, such as prying up stubborn boards or nails.

		Moulding bar heel
		Flat heel A flat heel has the benefit of providing a flat striking face, allowing the user to strike the heel with a hammer when penetrating tight spaces.

		Moulding bar shaft types
		The shaft is the section of the bar that the user holds, and that the force input by the user is applied to. The portion of the shaft closest to each end will ordinarily be inserted beneath whichever material is being lifted as well as the claw, and so should be designed with ease of penetration in mind.

		Flat Moulding bar shafts are often flat and thick; this type of shaft distributes force evenly across its width, decreasing the risk of damage to the object being lifted. Contoured shafts are also flat, but incorporate additional design features, as detailed below.

		I-beam Shaped like a capital ‘i’, an I section shaft benefits from some of the toughness provided by a flat shaft, but is lighter, and can be made more economically, as less material is required to produce it.

		Contour You will find this kind of shaft in bars referred to as ‘contour bars’. A contour bar’s shaft curves back, providing a ‘contoured’ shape. This type of shaft is notable for its ‘spring’ and the increased leverage it offers.

		With sleeve Moulding bar shafts may be partially covered by a cushioned, non-slip sleeve for comfort, grip and shock absorption. This is usually made of rubber.