Ball Pein Hammer Weight....

[Loscaldazar]

So I need Ball Pein Hammers and I'm just going to go with Vaughans from HJE. But what I'm not certain of is what weights to get!

I need them for punches/chisels in automotive applications. HJE carries a 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24oz hammers, and then a 2lb and 3 lb hammers.

The 2oz and 4oz seem way too light (what application would these be used for...?), and the 3lb hammer seems like it would be over. Not sure on the 2lb hammer either.

So.... what weights do you use for punches/chisels in automotive applications?

Thanks!

EDIT: I'm expecting to get several sizes...

 

[Avgas]

12, 16, and 24 ball peen, also a 3lb mini sledge comes in handy

 

[ZRX61]

I've got 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, & 32 I think.
I also have a few 3lb mini sledges & *Mojolnir* which is a 10lb sledge with a 15in handle for close quarters bludgeon duties.

Most were bought used & needing new handles & clean up. Average price is about $2.00.

 

[jakemac]

Think of it this way -

A homeowner's claw hammer is usually 16oz. Framing hammers tend to be in the 22oz-24oz range for most users. So, which weight would be most useful to you.

Start there, then get the next size up and the next size down to start with. If you run into jobs later, where you think you need smaller or larger, then pick them up when the need arrises.

P.S. - I've got 'em all, so what do I know.

 

[ken w.]

I use the 2 oz. for gunsmith work.Other than that I go big for automotive work.

 

[zkling]

I find the 8oz I think to be of a handy size for punches and general machine work.

~24oz + I think for knocking loose drums and other rough work

Like Ken I have a ~2oz (guess as I made it) for gun work and that is about all it is good for.

 

[ZRX61]

Mjolnir...



This is one I picked up with a busted handle. It's a 20oz BluePoint. Before:



Now awaiting new handle:

 

[Loscaldazar]

Ahhh frick... buy them all!

 

[Provincial]

For those who don't know Norse mythology, Mjolnir is the name of the hammer wielded by the god Thor. Nice name, ZRX61!!!

My biggest ball pein is a 32 oz. P&C that i found in a bunch of stuff I picked up thirty years ago. The handle was so split that it was only half there, and soaked with oil. The head was rusty and swelled from use. I dug it out about a year ago to put in the garage sale pile when I noticed it was a P&C, so I cleaned it up, ground the swell from the face and put a new handle on it. I use it for the jobs in between the 24 oz. ball pein and the 3 lb. small sledge.

 

[larry_g]

In time you will need all of them. The kind of repairs you choose to do. The size of your punches and chisels and what you apply them to will dictate what you need. Are you working on fiddly small cars or rusty old trucks? Are you a 98lb weakling or a 250lb strong man?

May I suggest that you pick 3 maybe a 4,12, and a 24 and see how they serve your needs. Then you can fill in where you are lacking.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Outlawmws]

Ahhh frick... buy them all!

That was my solution, unfortunately I still have a few gaps, @ > 50 BP hammers...

12, 16, and 24 ball peen, also a 3lb mini sledge comes in handy

For your described use, this ^^^ is a good answer...

 

[_vin_]

I have used a 4 oz for removing roll pins in air tools.

 

[CWP1616L]

16 ounce is useful for pin punches and gasket punches.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought the I think 4 to 32 set of 5 from HF, something like $12 for the set, so far no complaints from anything I hit with one of them. Its nice to have a variety of sized to pick for a given job, so you can't have too many hammers, just don't put them in a bag, as that is dumb.

 

[gsmornot]

, just don't put them in a bag, as that is dumb.

I think you meant sack but I like what you did there. Ha

I bought one of each size except the two ounce. Almost for the sake of collection but the handle would be the heavier part I think.

 

[nicksnothereman]

So I need Ball Pein Hammers and I'm just going to go with Vaughans from HJE. But what I'm not certain of is what weights to get!

I need them for punches/chisels in automotive applications. HJE carries a 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24oz hammers, and then a 2lb and 3 lb hammers.

The 2oz and 4oz seem way too light (what application would these be used for...?), and the 3lb hammer seems like it would be over. Not sure on the 2lb hammer either.

So.... what weights do you use for punches/chisels in automotive applications?

Thanks!

EDIT: I'm expecting to get several sizes...

What's it actually for? I mean is it precision work or hidden work? All things considered the higher the weight the less work you're going to end up doing if it's brute force work (which if it was you wouldn't want a ball peen), if it's not you probably want at least a 1lb and 2lb hammer. More than that is probably overkill.

The way to do it with a heavier than necessary hammer is to limit the "throw" when you're swinging. Like with a deadblow, best example I can give. Tap-a-tap-a-tap-a!

 

[ilovevocs]

Ahhh frick... buy them all!

Agree. I like to use the lightest possible hammer required to achieve the desired result. You can always pick up a bigger hammer. Once you damage something it's a hell of allot more work to remediate the damage from picking up the biggest hammer in the shop and going all willy nilly on it. Since buying a press, port a power, and slide hammer, I find myself doing allot less hammering as well.



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[fatfillup]

All things considered the higher the weight the less work you're going to end up doing if it's brute force work (which if it was you wouldn't want a ball peen),

Better to have a few sizes to more easily control the blow. Probably use my 16 oz and 24oz more then anything else but I have a 48 cause sometimes you need it.

 

[rlitman]

Ahhh frick... buy them all!

I've got ball peen hammers in 2oz, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 and 40oz (all wooden handled), plus a deadblow ball peen in 16oz (red Snap On). I think they get used about equally. I really don't favor one over the other. But I also think I'd be about as happy with half as many.

For the rare times the 40oz isn't big enough, I have a 48oz drilling hammer.

I will say that my ball peen hammers get much more used than the larger collection of soft faced hammers I have (dead blow, rawhide, canvas, rubber, urethane, brass, copper, lead and aluminum).

 

[woody 73]

Woody tip:

One can never have enough hammers...

 

[fivespdcat]

There is actually a great product from craftsman for these: 5 piece set for under $50.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-hammer-set/p-00938074000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
4 ball peens, 12, 16, 24 and 32 oz plus a dead blow. I have this set and it's quite nice, especially considering the price.

 

[rlitman]

Nice set. But that is not a dead blow. Just a soft faced hammer.

 

[RCStocker]

Go to yard sales and swap meets. They are a dime a dozen for good used ones. I must have 30 of them in all brands and sizes. I never paid more than $3 for one in my life and some are mint.

 

[illmatyk]

There is actually a great product from craftsman for these: 5 piece set for under $50.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-hammer-set/p-00938074000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
4 ball peens, 12, 16, 24 and 32 oz plus a dead blow. I have this set and it's quite nice, especially considering the price.

That is a nice set considering I paid about $60ish for my soft face hammer, (2)16oz ball peens, and 24oz ball peen. I don't even want to factor in the cost that spent to get a 16oz and 32oz dead blow ball peen from Snap On( the 32oz ended up getting stolen too ).

 

[plinker]

Woody tip:

One can never have enough hammers...

+1

That being said, I use a 24oz the most, possibily tied with the 3lb mini sledge type. Plastic and/or brass tip would be next. Then the 8lb.

A good assortment goes a long way.

 

[Loscaldazar]

There is actually a great product from craftsman for these: 5 piece set for under $50.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-hammer-set/p-00938074000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
4 ball peens, 12, 16, 24 and 32 oz plus a dead blow. I have this set and it's quite nice, especially considering the price.

Oooh! Good Deal! I have $30 in points at Sears too....They have a lifetime warranty this way too. Not that I ever plan on breaking a ball pein....

Don't need the soft face, but hey... a backup never hurts.

And these are the same as the vaughans from HJE too!

 

[Loscaldazar]

Order placed. $23 for 4 Craftsman (vaughan) ball pein hammers and the soft faced hammer. I'll probably save up and get the 4oz and 8oz to match my set at a later time, and then get the 2oz from HJE!

 

[fivespdcat]

Order placed. $23 for 4 Craftsman (vaughan) ball pein hammers and the soft faced hammer. I'll probably save up and get the 4oz and 8oz to match my set at a later time, and then get the 2oz from HJE!

That's an awesome price for those!

Enjoy!