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Get Creative With the Best Floor Chisels

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By Woodsmith Review Team
Last updated: 22 Apr 2023

What’s wrong? Are you tired of seeing the same flooring every day? Or perhaps you’ve been delaying renovation because it seems like a hassle. Whatever your concern is regarding tiles, thin-set and old flooring can be solved with a simple product: a floor chisel. But here’s where it gets tricky. Finding the right chisel for renovating your house can get a bit difficult. That’s why you need to research the market beforehand. Sounds like a lot of work? Don’t worry, we’re just messing with you. After sweeping the market and going through multiple products, we’ve narrowed down the great floor chisels in 2023 you can buy. Since they have plenty of alternatives, your chances of being confused are pretty high. But with us, you can dial down those chances to zero.

Best Overall
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SPKLINE 4-Inch Floor Scraper
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Runner Up
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Firecore SDS Floor Scraper
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Honorable Mention
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SDS Max Floor Scraper
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Another Option
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Monkey King Bar Floor Scraper
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Also Consider
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Svarog 3-Inch Wide Thinset Remover
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Show contents
Compare the Leading Floor Chisel in 2023
  • 1 SPKLINE 4-Inch Floor Scraper
  • 2 Firecore SDS Floor Scraper
  • 3 SDS Max Floor Scraper
  • 4 Monkey King Bar Floor Scraper
  • 5 Svarog 3-Inch Wide Thinset Remover

Buyer's Guide to the Finest Floor Chisels

Now that we’re done and dusted with the products, it is time to help you, the buyer, in making a better decision. Taking a good look around the market will leave you dazzled, to say the least. And we don’t want that to happen to you. That’s why we’ve whipped up a buying guide for your convenience. We’ll list the things that you should watch out for when purchasing a floor chisel for your house. 

What to Watch Out for When Purchasing Floor Chisels

Let’s be honest, this is the third time you’re thinking of renovating your house, right? The idea of renovating your house is brilliant. But most people shy away and delay it for another day because frankly speaking, it is tedious. Well, to be fair, it is a pain only if you’re working with the wrong set of tools.

If you have access to the right tools, working through your house should be a breeze. Don’t worry though, we don’t plan to leave you just yet. So let’s head over to the main part of the buying guide.

Design

Because of their high demand, floor gouges come in various designs and shapes. This factor makes buying the right one more difficult. That’s why you need to keep your needs and requirements in mind before anything else.

What are you removing in the first place? Thinset? Adhesive? Or perhaps floor tiles? This question is perhaps the most important because not all floor gouges are equipped to handle all types of flooring. Yes, some have special designs that can enable you to work with all types of material but you need to be careful. Bringing the wrong floor chisel will leave you in a pool of regret because it won’t help you renovate your house that well.

Weight

Similarly, floor scrapers come in various weights. You can find lightweight products in the market, but they come with their fair share of drawbacks. A lightweight chisel might not last as long as a heavy floor scraper. At worst, you might need to dispose of the product after a single use.

Yes, that’s possible. However, if you feel that a heavy floor chisel will leave you exhausted, then it might be ideal to opt for one that weighs less. This is determined by the material of the scraper.

Material

Speaking of material, which type of tool are you more convenient with? Metal? Or perhaps a different material? The material will directly impact your experience with renovating your house. These days, you will find most floor scrapers that are made from metal. 

Whichever material you go for, just make sure it is high-quality. If the components are cheap, then the whole job will seem like a huge chore to you. On top of that, the bolts on the tool should be tight and sturdy. If they’re loose, then you might end up hurting yourself in the process. That’s why we want you to pay close attention to the material that is used to make the scarper. 

Construction

You should aim to find a floor gouge that stays with you for a very long time. With that being said, the life of the product is mostly dependent on its construction. Where was the product made? And more importantly, how was it made? 

Why is this relevant? For starters, chisels that are heat-treated are more likely to outlast others in the market. That’s because heat treatment extends life by making them durable. This will allow you to work through difficult floors and tiles without breaking the chisel. Many people end up with a broken floor scraper because the construction of their tools was poor. 

Dimensions

Of course, dimensions play a huge role here. Just keep in mind that the place you’re working in should heavily impact your purchase design. Let’s say your floor has edges and corners that are difficult to reach. In case you buy a floor scraper with a huge blade, then it might not fit conveniently in narrow places. 

The length of the gouge is important as well. The longer the chisel, the more strength it will take to move through tiles or thin-set. This does not apply to all the floor scrapers out there but generally speaking, the length will impact the effort it will take to remove tiles or thin-set.

Operation

For a brief moment, we talked about the effort that it takes to renovate your house. This is perhaps one of the most significant factors. Because at the end of the day, you are looking for a tool that does not leave you drained after every operation. That is only possible if your tool has a sharp edge. 

Even if it takes you a while to sharpen the edge, that’s understandable. What matters the most is how sharp and durable the edge is. If it ticks all the boxes on the list then you’re in for a treat.

Compare the Leading Floor Chisel in 2023

1

SPKLINE 4-Inch Floor Scraper

– Best Overall
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Buy on Amazon

Perhaps, you’re looking to get rid of old thin sets to replace them with something better? Look no further. Tailored specifically for thin-set/tiles/adhesive and mortar, this gouge will pace through any of them with ease. Not only is it fast, but it’s also extra wide. The blade is 4-inches wide, and it is removable. Better than normal chisels, this one right here will scrape through more adhesives and thin-set without making you exhausted.

Key Features

Light-weight and durable, the gouge has an SDS-Plus shank, and it is a handy tool to get through difficult operations that might involve high-impact stresses. Don’t worry though, the chisel is crafted with high-quality forged tempered steel. Which makes it tough as a brick while granting it a long life. The best part is that you don’t have to do much since the tool comes assembled. With SPKLINE’s scraper by your side, scraping floors will seem like a fun, worry-less process.

Pros
  • Light-weight and handy
  • Recommended for removing thin-set
  • Durable and high-quality
Cons
  • The bolts on the tool can be improved
2

Firecore SDS Floor Scraper

– Runner Up
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Buy on Amazon

If you’re on the lookout for a heavy-duty metal scraper, then come right here. Made in a blazing forge, the gouge has been heat-treated to enhance its durability which will allow it to stay with you for a long time. Featuring a 6-inch blade, you can remove a thin-set from your concrete floor like butter on a hot toast. To complement the blade, the length of the shank is 25-inch. This makes up a dynamic floor scraper, built to demolish through the toughest surfaces without a lot of effort.

Key Features

Furthermore, the manufacturers have added 4 pieces of extra screws just for your convenience. In case the current screws start acting up or if you lose them, just use the additional screws and continue with your renovation. With an elongated service life, you don’t need to buy new chisels every other day. That sounds pretty convenient, no?

Pros
  • Heavy-duty blade
  • Comes with extra screws
Cons
  • Might be a bit heavy for some users
3

SDS Max Floor Scraper

– Honorable Mention
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Buy on Amazon

Backed by the brand American Tools, this chisel is a work of wonder. This floor scraper hones a super blade that is 7” long and 6” wide. The thickness of the edge is 2.5mm. The reason why this blade is the real deal is that the edge of the blade is sharpened, polished, and chamfered to perfection. This will enable you to get rid of stubborn tiles and mortars like they weren’t even there in the first place. Featuring a unique design, the gouge has holes that will prevent it from clashing with bolts during work. Plus, due to this smart design, the blade won’t overheat during your renovation process.

Key Features

To confirm the strength of the blade, it has been tested against steel bars. The blade is flexible and sharp enough to remove tiles and thin-set in one go. The manufacturers recommend using the scraper with a rotary hammer of 12 amp or higher. Not only that, but in case the scraper breaks or suffers damage then the seller will compensate you with 2 free floor chisels as a replacement! Talk about living up to their name.

Pros
  • Easily removes thin-set
  • High-quality floor scraper
Cons
  • The tool is a bit heavy
4

Monkey King Bar Floor Scraper

– Another Option
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Buy on Amazon

Our first pick comes in two lengths: 10” and 6.5”. This blade will allow you to save time and effort at the same time. With a standard SDS plus shank, you can zip through tiles without feeling fatigued. Speaking of the construction of the chisel, it is made of hardened steel alloy that has quality written all over it. After going through an intensive heat treatment process, the scaling blade is made durable and sturdy for your needs. It is ideal to remove all kinds of tiles, thin-set mortar, and any adhesive that’s preventing you from making your house look better.

Key Features

Moving on, the scaling gouge is 9.84” long and 2.95” wide. For smooth operations, it has a sharp build that will enable you to work seamlessly through any material. Plus, it comes with an optimal geometry design that is made to access tough spots and corners. With a sharpened edge, the blade will vibrate less and have better efficiency compared to others in the market.

Pros
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Ideal for cleaning up old thin-set
Cons
  • The angle of the cut is a bit short
5

Svarog 3-Inch Wide Thinset Remover

– Also Consider
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Buy on Amazon

Built to work with all standard air hammers, the next pick we have for you has an extra-wide 3-inch edge. This multiplies its efficiency and allows for quick and effortless removal of thin-set that’s been bothering you for ages. Manufactured with drop forged tempered steel, the floor scraper is designed to outlast operations that involve high-impact stresses. So if you’re thinking about renovating your house for a while, this product will guide you through it without worry.

Key Features

Ideal for thin-set, plaster, glue, tile, and mortar; the floor chisel is a work of art in itself. It will also assist you in removing stubborn adhesives that are otherwise very difficult to detach from the floor. 

Pros
  • Works great with air hammers
  • Has a sharp edge
  • Ideal for removing floor tiles
Cons
  • The tip is a bit thick

People Also Asked

Q: Which safety rule should I follow while using a floor gouge?

A: Wear safety gloves and glasses, and do not overwork yourself. Make sure you keep children far away from the place where you are working. Sometimes, material and debris might chip away in unwanted directions and this can harm bystanders.

Q: What is a chisel used for?

A: It is used to remove thin-set, adhesive, mortar, and tiles, and to renovate homes. A floor scraper is a convenient tool to work through your house without a lot of effort.

Q: What is a tip for using a chisel?

A: Make sure the tip is sharp and the edge is not blunt. If need be, sharpen the edge just in case. This will allow for a smooth operation.

Demolition & Construction
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By Woodsmith Review Team

The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. Woodsmith’s editorial staff is not involved. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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