To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Trusty-Cook, New Hammer in the Works

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
We’ve had numerous requests for a dual-purpose hammer—a soft face on one side and a steel face on the other side. Many of these requests have come from GJ forum members. Here’s a first run at this type of hammer.

This model has a steel rod in the head rather than a canister filled with shot. The weight is 3.05 lbs, and we’re using the same handle as our 47 oz ball peen (13.625” handle).

We’d appreciate any thoughts on this style and the looks of the model in the photo. I’m sure we’ll be getting a few in the hands Garage Journal forum members to get some feedback.

Thanks everybody.
 

Attachments

  • New Hammer.jpg
    New Hammer.jpg
    133.1 KB · Views: 585
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

nes999

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2014
Messages
1,602
Location
IL
I could see a lot if use out of something like this.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 

gdocktor3

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
That's good for service trucks or over the road repair kits where space/storage is a concern. I like the looks of it. Nice job over there at Trusty-Cook!
 

Todd.Brock

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
4,250
Location
Cincinnati
Left side looks as I would expect. But the right side looks odd b/c of the size. What is the diameter of the face? I have a Snap on mallet that has two soft faces and the diameter would be about 1.75. Guessing that would be. About the same diameter ?? I like it and could see using/testing :)
 

M6erfan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
10,170
Location
'Merica!
Interesting

Is the soft end replaceable/removable? I agree that the diameter of the soft face looks odd. I would be very interested in a dead blow function with that type of hammer
 

sld961

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2015
Messages
395
I agree the soft side looks odd. What about tapering the diameter gradually to match the head in the middle, instead of having a definitive cylinder shape.
 

firworks

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
4,080
Location
IL
Cool! New designs! What was the reasoning behind not having a shot filled head? Couldn't attach the soft face to the cannister?
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Cool! New designs! What was the reasoning behind not having a shot filled head? Couldn't attach the soft face to the cannister?


I just asked the question and was told I had my information wrong. There is shot in the head. It is made just like the BP47 except for the soft face on on side. I will get some head dimensions posted later on.
 

bcradio

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
6,017
Location
New Mexico
I just asked the question and was told I had my information wrong. There is shot in the head. It is made just like the BP47 except for the soft face on on side. I will get some head dimensions posted later on.

Good to hear. This would have been my one key must-have feature for me to buy one. I think it looks great and I like the larger soft head myself.

Great Job
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Kind of like the Proto.

j24dfs.jpg

I think that there is some thought to make a hammer with a distinct look. Stanley purchased the predecessor to Trusty-Cook back in the early 1980s, specifically for the dead blow line of hammers. I'm not involved in design, but I'm pretty certain the end product here will be quite different than the Stanley hammer.
 

bry@n

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
2,785
Location
Ocean County, NJ
I like the idea of the distinct look, but I would be concerned if I hit on the edge of the soft face, chunks would come off. That is why I like the tapered look but I'm open to anything.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
I like the idea of the distinct look, but I would be concerned if I hit on the edge of the soft face, chunks would come off. That is why I like the tapered look but I'm open to anything.

We're putting the soft face through its paces right now.
 

Attachments

  • New Hammer 2.jpg
    New Hammer 2.jpg
    136 KB · Views: 275
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

reptilezs

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
1,015
as a bicycle mechanic that style of hammer is popular. i prefer dedicated a deadblow ball peen and soft face hammers though. the soft face gets a good workout because we bang on the end of round tubes a lot
 

Jbizzle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 14, 2012
Messages
136
Location
New Mexico
Replaceable soft faces would be nice. Being able to screw on a plastic, or a rawhide, or a brass or a lead face would be very nice indeed.

This is the best idea yet! I'd be in for one.

The soft face being bigger than the other end does look weird.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
What ever happened to the dead blow extenders?

I've given out most of the dead blow extenders that we've made. We've had feedback about the general shape and the grip. As you will notice in the photo, the surface is smooth. We've been told that we need texturing in the handle and that the grip is a bit clumsy. I don't have too much feedback on specific applications. I know a body shop mechanic who kept a short length of 2X4 handy to get into tight spots. He now uses the extender rather than the 2X4 and says it works great. I’d like to get some more real world feedback on its use.

We’ve been using a temporary mold to make the extenders to date. We would need to have several molds made, which is an “investment”, before we go into general production. As a little info, our molds are machined out of solid chunks of steel (the model #4 mold weighs 56.85 lbs). We want to make sure we have it right before we have molds made.

Anybody have some application feedback for me?
 

Attachments

  • Blue Extender.jpg
    Blue Extender.jpg
    130.5 KB · Views: 183

KMdef9

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2016
Messages
713
Location
The Motorcity
On the subject of the new hammer, please offer it in a stubby version too! The deadblow feature is nice, it'll be the name reason I'd pick one up as I already have a section of plastic hammers.


I've given out most of the dead blow extenders that we've made. We've had feedback about the general shape and the grip. As you will notice in the photo, the surface is smooth. We've been told that we need texturing in the handle and that the grip is a bit clumsy. I don't have too much feedback on specific applications. I know a body shop mechanic who kept a short length of 2X4 handy to get into tight spots. He now uses the extender rather than the 2X4 and says it works great. I’d like to get some more real world feedback on its use.

We’ve been using a temporary mold to make the extenders to date. We would need to have several molds made, which is an “investment”, before we go into general production. As a little info, our molds are machined out of solid chunks of steel (the model #4 mold weighs 56.85 lbs). We want to make sure we have it right before we have molds made.

Anybody have some application feedback for me?

I'd love to get my hands on one of these. So many tight areas around fuel/brake lines I need to massage things and this would be great.

I'm sure they'll be well worth the investment.

What about 2 different deadblow extenders? One like you have pictured (2 plastic ends) and another that has one plastic end and one metal end like your hammer in this thread? I'd buy both right now!
 

Steve_P

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
Just general feedback .... I have a few of your dead blow mallets and find the grip portion way too small in diameter. I have normal sized hands for an adult male, I wear large gloves. The Trusty grip is much smaller than my Wiha, proto, HF and Nupla deadblow hammers/mallets and they're not as comfortable for me to use.
 

firworks

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
4,080
Location
IL
I've given out most of the dead blow extenders that we've made. We've had feedback about the general shape and the grip. As you will notice in the photo, the surface is smooth. We've been told that we need texturing in the handle and that the grip is a bit clumsy. I don't have too much feedback on specific applications. I know a body shop mechanic who kept a short length of 2X4 handy to get into tight spots. He now uses the extender rather than the 2X4 and says it works great. I’d like to get some more real world feedback on its use.

We’ve been using a temporary mold to make the extenders to date. We would need to have several molds made, which is an “investment”, before we go into general production. As a little info, our molds are machined out of solid chunks of steel (the model #4 mold weighs 56.85 lbs). We want to make sure we have it right before we have molds made.

Anybody have some application feedback for me?

I used it to knock free a starter on a 2002 Mercury Sable. I unbolted it but it was stuck on good. I was hoping to rebuild it so I didn't want to damage it getting it out. I snaked the DB extender down from above and got it right on top of the starter and was able to knock it free without harming it. Unfortunately my attempt at rebuilding the brushes was foiled by brittle plastic and the replacement was as expensive as a whole new starter from Advanced.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Just general feedback .... I have a few of your dead blow mallets and find the grip portion way too small in diameter. I have normal sized hands for an adult male, I wear large gloves. The Trusty grip is much smaller than my Wiha, proto, HF and Nupla deadblow hammers/mallets and they're not as comfortable for me to use.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
I used it to knock free a starter on a 2002 Mercury Sable. I unbolted it but it was stuck on good. I was hoping to rebuild it so I didn't want to damage it getting it out. I snaked the DB extender down from above and got it right on top of the starter and was able to knock it free without harming it. Unfortunately my attempt at rebuilding the brushes was foiled by brittle plastic and the replacement was as expensive as a whole new starter from Advanced.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Left side looks as I would expect. But the right side looks odd b/c of the size. What is the diameter of the face? I have a Snap on mallet that has two soft faces and the diameter would be about 1.75. Guessing that would be. About the same diameter ?? I like it and could see using/testing :)

The diameter of the soft face is 1.875". The rest of the specs match those of our 47 oz ball peen.

https://trustycook.com/product/47-oz-dead-blow-ball-peen-hammer-model-tcbp32/
 

Roddyo

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2015
Messages
89
It would be better if you could put the deadblow on the left side.






:)
 

cliftonbros89

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
3,009
Location
Missouri
I'd be more so interested in the deadblow extenders than a multi faced hammer. I think a deadblow extender could really be handy for things. I now own, I think it's up to 14 TC hammers, dead blow and ballpeen. All in green with the exception of a Buddy Blaster, a blue blemished bossing mallet, and a red Armstrong branded ballpeen. I've been satisfied with them all. Especially with all the good deals TC offers. I even bought several for Christmas gifts last year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Dennis Leigh Henry

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
6,302
Location
South Central, IN USA
I'd recommend a replaceable soft head if possible

Hi Richard...

As soon as I saw this prototype, that is what I thought...how cleaver to make a "snap on" soft face to use on one end of the flat flat.. Interesting concept.. Has TC looked into that? Something that would fit snug or otherwise attach to an existing TC flat flat or ball peen...?

I'm certain the Firestone boys at Washington and Kitley would give the prototype thorough field testing....in short order. :rocker:
 

Sterff

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
1,367
Location
PA
I like it. Id like it a lot more if the steel side was brass though.
 
OP
H

hammersmadeinusa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
963
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Hi Richard...

As soon as I saw this prototype, that is what I thought...how cleaver to make a "snap on" soft face to use on one end of the flat flat.. Interesting concept.. Has TC looked into that? Something that would fit snug or otherwise attach to an existing TC flat flat or ball peen...?

I'm certain the Firestone boys at Washington and Kitley would give the prototype thorough field testing....in short order. :rocker:

We haven't looked into multiple options for the faces. We do however have a good relationship with a company that makes brass hammers.

http://www.abchammers.com/bronze_head_hammers.html
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom