Abstract: A piston rod connected at one end to a piston slidably arranged in a cylinder projects with its other end through an opening in an end wall of the cylinder beyond the latter and a fork-shaped member is connected by a friction weld, that is without adding welding material or external heat, to the other end of the piston rod.

Abstract: Impact driven tools of the type generally comprising a bitter end bounded by a collar and a shank and a tip are provided with internal silencing means comprising an opening in the bitter end, said opening filled with a sound attenuating material, which is preferably steel shot loosely packed in the opening and retained therein by a force fit plug secured by a weld. The opening is preferably axial and extends through the bitter end to or below the collar. In large diameter impact driven tools multiple openings are provided parallel to the axis and terminating at staggered points. Each such hole is filled with a sound attenuating material, such as steel shot. The rams of impacting apparatus, or air hammers, are also provided with internal silencing means comprising at least one opening, each such opening being filled with sound attenuating material, which is preferably steel shot loosely packed and retained by a force fit plug secured by a weld.