Hammers – How To Choose The Right Hammer For The Job

There are many types of hammers available that have differences in weight, size, and shape. Some are designed for a specific use, while others can do a broad range of tasks. Hammer heads have largely remained the same over the past few centuries, although modern materials for construction have changed. Listed below are the most popular styles of hammers.

Claw Hammer

The claw is used for general work and features a steel, glass fiber, or wood handle. For extra grip, the handle may be covered by rubber padding. The most common weight for claws is 455-680 grams. The head is curved with a “V” on one side for pulling nails from timber. The “V” is also useful for lifting boards and other items that require a lever.

Ball Pein Hammers

The ball pein (sometimes called a ball peen) is the perfect engineer tool. This hammer is rounded on one end and has a flast striking surface on the other and is popularly used for closing rivets and shaping metal. It can also be used for general purposes, although it does not have a claw for pulling out nails. The handle is usually made from Hickory wood or Ash wood and in some modern hammers, the handle may be made out of a fiberglass composite.

Cross and Straight Pein Hammers

This hammer shares a few characteristics with the ball pein, except one side has a flat corner instead of a ball. It is also used for shaping metal and also works for prying. The handles are also made from wood and fiberglass. The cross and straight Pein is strong and can be used for pounding thick metal into the desired shape. Some people also refer to these as shop hammers or machinist hammers.

Cross Pein Pin Hammers

The Pein Pin is just like the Cross and Straight Pein, except much lighter. Instead of metal, it is designed for wood work and light joinery. At only 55 grams, this hammer is extremely light and easy to use. However, it will not work well with heavy duty jobs since the small handle and head are not strong enough to handle excessive force.

Club Hammer

Also known as a lump, the club has a double-face head. It is useful for small-sized demolition work, especially when used alongside masonry nails and steel chisels. When working in demolition or carving with the club, it is important to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from the flying debris. At 1135 grams, the club is perfectly suited for domestic work and can be handled by virtually anyone. The handle is made from synthetic resin or Hickory wood.

Sledge Hammer

This device is built for heavy-duty jobs like driving stakes into the ground. Its strength gives it the ability to break masonry, stone, and even concrete. For lighter jobs, aiming the head directly at the surface should provide sufficient force. However, a sledge hammer should be swung like an ax for heavier jobs. Always wear safety glasses and protective clothing. Sledge hammers come in several different weights, typically an 8 pound, 10 lb, 12 pound, 16 lb and 20 pound versions. If you plan on using the 16 pound sledge, make sure you eat a few boxes of Wheaties before doing so!

Joiner’s Mallet

The Joiner’s Mallet is designed to tap wood joints together or drive in wood chisels. It is perfect for fragile jobs where a metal hammer may cause bruising or damage. The head is slightly tapered to allow good contact with the service. Either Lignum Vitae wood or Beech wood is used for the construction.

Believe it or not, this is only a small sampling of the hammers that are on the market. Chances are there is a hammer for any need that may arise. One of the biggest mistakes people make is using the wrong hammer for the job. That's why it pays to have several hammers on hand. Not only will it make the job easier, it will make the job safer as well.

To get a good buy on these and other types of Hammers and to read consumer reviews on each type, visit Amazon.Com's Hammer Department.

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Tagged with: ball pein • claw hammer • club hammer • hammers • joiners mallet • sledge hammer

Filed under: Hammers

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