To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Quality ball peen hammers.

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

defektes

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
547
Location
Arizona
So, while I'm searching for the perfect antique hammers, what is a worthy brand for (potentially long term) place holder? Does anyone own any Nupla ball peen hammers? Thoughts?

Personally I like Vaughan wooden handles, they last and are very well made. The Estwing is not bad either, but the rubber grip likes to hold on to grease and oil.
 

HAP

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
856
Location
NE North Carolina
I think the one piece hammers are better for hitting shock absorbing materials like wood. For hitting metal, you can take a lot of that shock and vibration in your hand and arm. So good ball peens typically have wooden handles.

Carpenters' hammers are not the same as tin knockers' hammers.

For what you say that's why I prefer the security of the one piece. A well designed shock absorbing grip yields the same result...
 

timmyisme22

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
387
Location
Yakima, WA
Just ordered all the craftsman ball peens (along with a rubber tipped 12oz) for $74 and change (friends and family, associate, and sears card discounts).

Just found the name of my ball-peen I bought this summer at an estate sale (was in with a bunch of other items like files and a toolbox). It's a Maruki #1. It's been well used and shows it (the ball is flattened a bit) but still cool to have around (and I might be able to correct it a bit later on in life).

I'll get some pictures of the Maruki up at some point soon. Haven't been able to clean it up much (did a quick oil+towel scrub to read the name).
 

moore_rb

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2015
Messages
5
Just found the name of my ball-peen I bought this summer at an estate sale (was in with a bunch of other items like files and a toolbox). It's a Maruki #1. It's been well used and shows it (the ball is flattened a bit) but still cool to have around (and I might be able to correct it a bit later on in life).

I'll get some pictures of the Maruki up at some point soon. Haven't been able to clean it up much (did a quick oil+towel scrub to read the name).

I have been searching for one of these hammers for a long time... These are the OEM hammers that were used in the tool kits with Toyota and Nissan 4x4's during the 1960's. I have been searching for one to complete a restoration project I am currently doing.


If you would have any interest in selling it, please send me a PM or email- I could really use it

Thanks,
Robert
 

bobcatdan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
I don't care for wood handles so have pretty much shide away from them. I have a four piece antivibe set under the Mac name, same as Stanley or Proto. They came in a package deal with a chissel set I bought. At first I was not real excited about. They went home and because part of my "bench tool" set. I'll be damn I grab for them a lot. Pretty happy. If you can find them that competes with say the Wilton's, I'd give them a shot. I always wanted some of the estwing ball peins, but they are hard to find. When I do find them, I never seem to be in a hammer buying mood so I've never got any.
 

HanShotFirst

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
846
Location
NW Nevada
It seems here is the mother lode of old hammers. At their current price they're about $3 each.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/L2289-Lot-o...937?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c32fe8b9
Holy ****, I have a garage full of ball peens, and I'm damn tempted to buy that.

I'm a gunsmith and I use a small ball peen from time, but I mostly use cross peen hammers.

I think it just depends on what you want to do. For many, any darned hammer will do. But if you really want top quality, you need to find an old one and rehab it. You'll be happy you did.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

HanShotFirst

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
846
Location
NW Nevada
I like to bead blast them, polish the side and ball, then put cold gun bluing on the middle section. Follow up with clear coat, and a new handle and you have a world class hammer on the cheep.
 

oldldh

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
I know I'm going to get hammered for this...:lol:

But...

As "place keepers"...

My, newly purchased Tektons, will do...:thumbup:

And the GearWrench set ain't too shabby, either...:drool:

The Tekton's cover 8---48 oz, and were $ 51.00 from Amazon...

The GearWrench set is around $ 75.00 from a number of online sources...

I like my Tektons, and, for the price, I've got 6 new hammers, with a lifetime warranty...(Email them a photo of the broken tool, and they'll FedEx me a new one...Now that's a warranty I can live with...)

And...

There's just something about "New Tools"...:lol:
 

Attachments

  • tekton8121624.jpg
    tekton8121624.jpg
    99.4 KB · Views: 15
  • tekton32.jpg
    tekton32.jpg
    63.8 KB · Views: 14
  • tekton48.jpg
    tekton48.jpg
    66.6 KB · Views: 14
  • gw5pchmr.jpg
    gw5pchmr.jpg
    139.9 KB · Views: 18

Strouty

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
38,218
Location
Southern Maine
I found a deal back in May for the estwings, got all 5 of the sizes for $115 delivered. I thought it was a good deal and I have not really found a better one yet.
 

KEH

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
5,142
Been using hammers for 50+ years and never hears of the handle to ball pein hammer face angle. Not too old to learn.

Agree with trying the flea market. Probably will require more than one trip. Flea market also a good source for handles.

I mentioned on another thread that a few years ago I bought a new 16 oz Craftsman claw hammer with solid steel handle which I like. However, just from picking it up I like the balance of the Estwing 16 oz better. I recently bought, for $3, a Estwing framer in excellent condition which I like.

I've had good luck finding used ball peins of varying weights. Some required new handles. Some needed the faces reground. Some are no names, some are pedigreed. All work.

KEH
 

KEH

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
5,142
Ok, typo. The d is next to the s on the keyboard. (face slap)

KEH
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom