Proto Ball Pein Hammer Set

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

I’ve been looking at this Proto Ball Pein hammer set (also spelled “ball peen”). The 4 pc Proto set has been rebranded by Mac Tools. All I have in the garage are random claw hammers and a cheap dead blow. The Proto set's price jumped after Christmas, from $106 to $118 on Amazon.

Anyone use these hammers? Would also appreciate recommendations on a less expensive set for DIY use, thanks. Also looking at the ABN 5 pc set ($33) and Tekton 4 pc set ($26), all on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J1304AVPS-Antivibe-4-Piece/dp/B00H1LLP2I/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=proto+ball+peen+hammer+set&qid=1577444179&s=hi&sr=1-3

CJM8515 · Dec 27, 2019

Sears sells a bunch made by vaughn with wood handles that have served me well, even the HF ones are decent for the money.

I have a mini mac branded sledge similar to those ball peens and its good, nothing special tho.

Fedwrench · Dec 27, 2019

I have a couple of them. Taiwan made. I think i got them from MSC during a sale a few years ago. They're OK but, I don't think i would buy a whole set of them.

Swing by your local Home Depot or Lowes and see what they have hanging on the hammer wall. Depending on what you beat on, a small, medium, and BFH is all you really need. :beer:

Crabman · Dec 27, 2019

I recently saw that Cripe Distributing had some Gedores and a few others I think, their prices are usually pretty good.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

Fedwrench said:
Swing by your local Home Depot or Lowes and see what they have hanging on the hammer wall. Depending on what you beat on, a small, medium, and BFH is all you really need.

I definitely need both small and BFH in the garage. I'm leaning towards a set, so i can throw the medium size hammer (either 12 oz or 16 oz) in the "mobile toolbox" that I keep in my trunk.

I was in HD the other day and checked their hammer wall. The ball peins looked cheaply made, was not impressed. Haven't tried Lowe's yet.

My local Fastenal carries the Rock River line of hammers, very nice. But they were high--$25 a pop with a fiberglass handle. I can get the Proto steel for a little bit more.

sberry · Dec 27, 2019

You got none now, how good they got to be? Secondly if you don't have a hammer in a portable box is a 25$ one gonna make a difference over a 10 buck one? Where I was limited to 1 it would be a 20oz framing hammer with straight claw and fiberglass or steel handle.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

sberry said:
You got none now, how good they got to be? Secondly if you don't have a hammer in a portable box is a 25$ one gonna make a difference over a 10 buck one? Where I was limited to 1 it would be a 20oz framing hammer with straight claw and fiberglass or steel handle.

You don't want to use a framing hammer for automotive work, unless that's the only hammer around. Example: my riding mower wouldn't start this weekend (leaf mulching time). The battery bolts were corroded, so I needed a small hammer to tap them out. The only hammer that would fit was my 8 oz frame. The claw end got tangled in some wires on the back swing. Fortunately I didn't make the problem worse, but you get the idea.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

Crabman said:
I recently saw that Cripe Distributing had some Gedores and a few others I think, their prices are usually pretty good.

Those Gedores on Cripe look really nice, and the Gedore Nupla dead blow also caught my eye. Not a bad price point for those hammers. But they seem to be sold out of the 8 oz ball pein. It would be nice if they sold the Gedore Ball Peins in a set--didn't see that.

Outwest · Dec 27, 2019

Harry Epstein’s has a good selection of Vaughan’s and Grayvik’s.

RKA · Dec 27, 2019

Trusty cook has a full line of stuff. I would go with a single ball peen and two dead blow hammers for starters.

lardy1 · Dec 27, 2019

I've picked up all mine used. Nice ones. I see them all the time in good condition for five bucks and less. That kind of shopping isn't for everyone.

Bretny · Dec 27, 2019

I mostly use a 16oz, I think. Usually if I need something bigger I'm going for a 2-3lb. No real need for such small increments in size difference.

I have a wide range of hammers and I think only 2 are the same brand, many don't have a brand. They still bang stuff just fine.

My $8 HF California framing hammer still bangs a lot of nails.

Crabman · Dec 27, 2019

Those Gedores on Cripe look really nice, and the Gedore Nupla dead blow also caught my eye. Not a bad price point for those hammers. But they seem to be sold out of the 8 oz ball pein. It would be nice if they sold the Gedore Ball Peins in a set--didn't see that.

Not sure why but they are showing 2 8 oz ones available on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gedore-Too...261965?hash=item4da22bcf8d:g:qMcAAOSwMytd7~sU

If you like them I bet if you call they might assemble a set and combine shipping.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

I should admit here that I like well-made tools and often buy a more expensive tool than a DIYer really needs. Could I get by with the Tekton $26 Ball Pein set? Probably so. But I'm lucky--retired at 58 on a DoD pension after 30 years. I can afford nice tools. I bet I'm not the only person here like that.

But I try to buy quality tools that I'll actually use. If I bought that Proto set and it arrived this morning, I'd be banging on a mower blade before the sun goes down.

lardy1 · Dec 27, 2019

You only go around once. Take it from there.

Dakkyz · Dec 27, 2019

I have the MAC one, think it's 48 oz but yeah I like the anti vibe and grip, would happily buy again if needed.

Rabid Badger · Dec 27, 2019

If I was spending that much I would go with Estwing.

The Fall · Dec 27, 2019

All of mine are from Sears. USA-made with a wooden handle. They're great. If you still have one nearby...

bwringer · Dec 27, 2019

Vaughan and Estwing are first-rate and hanging on the wall at your nearest home store. Grab a couple of those, a big and a little.

That set of four in four ounce increments is expensive overkill. I can't imagine thinking "OMFG, this project would have been RUINED if my hammer weighed four ounces more!"

FWIW, you really need to shop for these in person to make sure you're getting smooth, round balls. Nothing more irritating than pointy balls leaving sharp dents in your work, and even in the name brands there's a lot of individual variation.

You need to be able to pick them up and feel the balls to make sure they're nice and smooth and round.

Seriously...

PR1Gneon · Dec 27, 2019

bwringer said:
Vaughan and Estwing are first-rate and hanging on the wall at your nearest home store. Grab a couple of those, a big and a little.

That set of four in four ounce increments is expensive overkill. I can't imagine thinking "OMFG, this project would have been RUINED if my hammer weighed four ounces more!"

FWIW, you really need to shop for these in person to make sure you're getting smooth, round balls. Nothing more irritating than pointy balls leaving sharp dents in your work, and even in the name brands there's a lot of individual variation.

You need to be able to pick them up and feel the balls to make sure they're nice and smooth and round.

Seriously...

X2 Estwing all steel or Vaughan wood handle.

Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk

Mecha · Dec 27, 2019

BrandoJames said:
I should admit here that I like well-made tools and often buy a more expensive tool than a DIYer really needs. Could I get by with the Tekton $26 Ball Pein set? Probably so. But I'm lucky--retired at 58 on a DoD pension after 30 years. I can afford nice tools. I bet I'm not the only person here like that.

But I try to buy quality tools that I'll actually use. If I bought that Proto set and it arrived this morning, I'd be banging on a mower blade before the sun goes down.

If you just want to buy that Proto set go ahead, but others are giving you decent advice. Great American brands are Vaughan, Grayvik, and Estwing. Harry Epstein has a great selection for good prices. And you probably only need probably two sizes, 20 oz and either one larger or one smaller.

ZRX61 · Dec 27, 2019

These were also on the OP's link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X26UFO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bighead38 · Dec 27, 2019

I actually really like the estwing ball pein hammers at Home Depot. I have both sizes. If you want higher end stuff go trusty cook. Recently got one of the trusty dead blows and it’s awesome.

Bighead38 · Dec 27, 2019

I actually really like the estwing ball pein hammers at Home Depot. I have both sizes. If you want higher end stuff go trusty cook. Recently got one of the trusty dead blows and it’s awesome.

TalonFE · Dec 27, 2019

Craftsman wood-handled made in USA units. I built up a set of every weight available to smack the **** out of stuff. They all have nice balls as well.....

WittHay · Dec 27, 2019

The Proto and Mac Antivibe hammers are good. Would choose them over the Estwing any day for mechanical work. dont like Estwing handles around oil and grease. I have just about the complete set of Mac mini sledges and quite a few Proto ball peins.

Also have a set of wood handled Blue-points made by I guess by Vaughan . The guys choose the Anti vibes over the wood handles all the time. More comfortable to use. The new USA made wood handles are some of the poorest looking hammers i have owned. That clear coat starts to come off and they start rusting

shawhite · Dec 27, 2019

I second the person who recommended Trusty Cook. Why get a ball peen when you can have a ball peen deadblow.

https://trustycook.com/product-category/hammers/ball-peen-hammers/

Professional Tool User · Dec 27, 2019

Kind of expensive for a Made in Taiwan hammer. I don't know if all the early problems Stanley had with the anti vibe had been ironed out. i would honestly go look at other options.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

WittHay said:
The Proto and Mac Antivibe hammers are good. Would choose them over the Estwing any day for mechanical work. dont like Estwing handles around oil and grease. I have just about the complete set of Mac mini sledges and quite a few Proto ball peins...Also have a set of wood handled Blue-points made by I guess by Vaughan . The guys choose the Anti vibes over the wood handles all the time.

That's good to know. I was also looking at the Blue-Point but was worried about that wood handle. I would think the Proto steel handle would be really easy to keep clean.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

Mecha said:
If you just want to buy that Proto set go ahead, but others are giving you decent advice. Great American brands are Vaughan, Grayvik, and Estwing. Harry Epstein has a great selection for good prices. And you probably only need probably two sizes, 20 oz and either one larger or one smaller.

I appreciate all the advice--but some of the brands mentioned are totally new to me. I'm more familiar with Proto, Tekton, and Blue-Point.

BrandoJames · Dec 27, 2019

Professional Tool User said:
Kind of expensive for a Made in Taiwan hammer. I don't know if all the early problems Stanley had with the anti vibe had been ironed out. i would honestly go look at other options.

I don't have a problem with Made-in-Taiwan because my wife is from Taiwan, lol. Been to Taiwan twice, really friendly people. I try to buy U.S.A. or Taiwan whenever I can.

What were the problems that you mentioned regarding the anti-vibe.

measuredtwice · Dec 27, 2019

I think I have one of the Stanley Anti-Vibe hammers somewhere at home. They used to sell them at Walmart about 15 or more years ago. From what I can recall, they looked the same but they were much cheaper back then.

I also have 100 year old Stanley at home... pretty sure that I replaced the handle though--haha!

sberry · Dec 27, 2019

Did the anti vibe ever catch on and become a standard? Whoops, guess I was late with this.

Monte · Dec 27, 2019

woody6904 · Dec 27, 2019

Buy once, cry once. These three make a great "starter set."

MattT · Dec 27, 2019

PR1Gneon said:
X2 Estwing all steel

-1,000,000. The Antivibes are way better hammers if you want all steel.

Tripn88 · Dec 27, 2019

i love my trusty cook hammers..

those protos are still 106 on amazon on my end. look for them in the stanley flavor. they might be a bit cheaper with the stanley name vs proto or mac.

MattT · Dec 27, 2019

woody6904 said:
Buy once, cry once. These three make a great "starter set."

Urethane hammers with a 2 year warranty you'll be buying and crying again at some point. If you want to go that route better to get ones with lifetime warranty.

sberry · Dec 27, 2019

Can pay 2 or 3 times as much for lifetime,, or replace them IF you have to.

Wamsutta · Dec 27, 2019

I still prefer the feel of a wood handle. Proto makes some nice hammers with wood handles.

Proto Ball Pein Hammer Set

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