Claw Hammer thread.

Ton ton · Nov 8, 2019

Post your favorite claw hammer, whether it's fiber glass handle or wood. USA made or foreign. If someone has started a thread like this, I am sorry but I have not seen a real recent thread on this topic.

IndyGarage · Nov 8, 2019

Estwing 24 ounce steel framing hammer (with the blue handle)if I'm hitting a lot of nails.

I also have a 20 ounce Fatmax Stanley antivibe and it is a bit more comfortable than other hammers.

Ton ton · Nov 8, 2019

Thanks, Indy garage.

Robinson1 · Nov 8, 2019

Estwing 20 oz straight claw with leather handle is my general use hammer.

I'm still partial to a 28oz Vaughan rig axe if I'm hand banging 16s and 20s all day.

My all time favorite "hammer" is made by Paslode........

Bretny · Nov 8, 2019

I have actualy had really good luck with the California style framing hammer from HF. It will never be passed down to my kids but bangs nails well. I like a more streight claw.

lardy1 · Nov 8, 2019

20 oz. Estwing. Short handle, rip claw. I still have the first one I ever bought back when I was a cub. I used that hammer every working day for around 25 years.

AE2 · Nov 8, 2019

My dad's all time favorite is a True Temper Rocket from the 60's. He's been a carpenter for 50+ years. Uses Estwing 16 oz now.

I have a 16 and 20 oz Stanley Antivibe, both work well enough.

Mr. Wonderful · Nov 8, 2019

I love the old style estwing but the Stiletto TI is a whole other world for me. I routinely have to drive 16 penny nails into semi truck decks and nothing works as well. Most nail guns have trouble sinking a nail into that.

woody 73 · Nov 8, 2019

AE2 said:
My dad's all time favorite is a True Temper Rocket from the 60's. He's been a carpenter for 50+ years. Uses Estwing 16 oz now.

I have a 16 and 20 oz Stanley Antivibe, both work well enough.

Ah Grasshopper...

Rocket Man George W. Yearley

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=268427&highlight=rocket

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 8, 2019

I framed in the days as pneumatic nailers were just coming in. The contractors I worked for were too cheap to provide the guns. So I have much deeper appreciation of simple hammers. I was warned against the common steel and blue nylon Estwing 22 oz straight claw milled face. "Your elbow wouldn't last past 30". Most carpenters who started as framers were burnt out by their mid thirties and moved to form construction. I used a red fiberglass handled Plumb, the same 22 oz milled face straight claw when I framed. But I moved to industrial work, much more pay and easier work. There I used 20 oz smooth face curved claw hammers, they would only last about a year, I used them to chew concrete to get a smooth run for chalk lines. The last one I used was a Vaughan fiberglass handled one, which I still have. A Good hammer.

A test for balance is to close your eyes and hammer a piece of wood a number of times, there should only be one dent.

engineer2 · Nov 8, 2019

I like my Dead On framing hammers. I have a straight and a curved, but the straight feels better. Found it in the Ace Hardware bargain bin for $16.
https://www.deadontools.com/investment-cast---straight.html

McFarmer · Nov 8, 2019

An old beat to **** Estwing that broken or not will never leave my shop. It’s the only hammer I ever saw may dad use, and he built most of the buildings on this farm.

jeffmoss26 · Nov 8, 2019

the hammer of my childhood, my dad's fiberglass True Temper

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 8, 2019

I'm feeling a little more ambitious.

Balance is very important, remember your other hand holds the nail.

The slot should narrow down enough to pull small brads. I have a Stanley hammer that was my dad's that can. More modern hammer makers have a hard time with this.

The face should be "bell shaped". If it is flat, put the hammer in scrap iron bin,
then it can be made into something useful.

My favourites are octagon shaped , both the head and the handle. But I've used ones with tubular steel and heavy rubber, or fiberglass.

MarvinBerry · Nov 9, 2019

Downwindtracker 2 said:
A test for balance is to close your eyes and hammer a piece of wood a number of times, there should only be one dent.

My high school shop teacher told certain people...

You hammer like lightning! Never hit the same spot twice.

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 9, 2019

"Must be windy down there!" a comment if you bent a nail.

davethorik · Nov 9, 2019

Estwing:
E3-28SM milled face straight claw rubber grip framer 28oz.
E20S straight claw leather grip 20oz.

I found the bigger hammer to be more efficient to use and deliver better shock absorption with the blue rubber than the leather grip. Although I use the leather grip way more, it was my 1st claw hammer purchased new and intended to be also the last one I bought (of course that wasn't true, I got Estwing fever). It rings but not annoying. The big one doesn't ring.

I also have a vintage E20C curved claw leather grip I got for free, found in basement of hoarder home with a couple other goodies. I was getting paid hourly to help clean place out after occupant passed, so I got paid to find and keep that hammer.

I also have a few of their other products, including an unusual for Estwing hickory handle 21oz. bricklayer's hammer with a very comfy handle profile. A drilling hammer, leather grip hatchet, 36" pro wrecking bar, and Japanese moulding bar. Most recent purchase was a 24oz. ball peen. They are tough.

Parrothead · Nov 9, 2019

Estwing 20 oz. Straight-Claw Rip Hammer

https://www.homedepot.com/p/100032790

I have a few others, but primarily use this one.

snickers muncher · Nov 9, 2019

17 oz Estwing. We've done quite a few project together.

redwrench60 · Nov 9, 2019

snickers muncher said:
17 oz Estwing. We've done quite a few project together.

Dude. That’s a wild looking hammer. What’s the advantage?

dutchgray · Nov 9, 2019

I have plenty, Estwing E3-20C for general work, the Vaughan Dalluge titanium (Douglas pattern) for framing work only, I have a Vaughan V5 that I like for demolition work.

Coach James · Nov 9, 2019

This one, and it was made in USA. Got it when I was 14 and working with my dad roofing houses. It replaced a cheapo 12 ounce I wore the handle out on. I still have both of them.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-16-...lerId=Sears&prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10

Coach

snickers muncher · Nov 9, 2019

redwrench60 said:
Dude. That’s a wild looking hammer. What’s the advantage?

It has a weight forward design that hits harder than other hammers its weight. The face is also at a slight angle so that you hit the nail closer to 90 degrees. It definitely has a different swing than other hammers which is I guess why it didn't catch on.

It grabs nails like no other. It has no problem getting brads or finish nails, and if the head of a nail is broken off---just smack its face and it'll bite into the nail and pull it right out.

redwrench60 · Nov 10, 2019

snickers muncher said:
It has a weight forward design that hits harder than other hammers its weight. The face is also at a slight angle so that you hit the nail closer to 90 degrees. It definitely has a different swing than other hammers which is I guess why it didn't catch on.

It grabs nails like no other. It has no problem getting brads or finish nails, and if the head of a nail is broken off---just smack its face and it'll bite into the nail and pull it right out.

I'm pretty sure I'd hit everything but the nail with that thing.

HenryAZ · Nov 10, 2019

I like Vaughan hickory handled hammers, both claw and ball pein. I use several different head weights of each.

joshmodelskidoo · Dec 3, 2019

Stilletto for me. I worked on and off helping a contractor buddy of mine that had a stiletto so i forked over the $$ for a wood handled one. Those things are awesome

Toolfool · Dec 3, 2019

I still have my HART 16oz finish hammer , 21oz framer, and 25oz California Framer w/milled face from when I started 35 years ago. All are w/hickory handles (not the originals) and I see they're no longer available. Good thing I'm near the end of my career.

speed bump · Dec 3, 2019

I love the California framer for a framing hammer. I have a Stanley fatmax 21 oz version with a hickory handle. Would like to upgrade to a Stiletto or Martinez but not being a carpenter my framing hammer doesn't get enough use to justify it

Ton ton · Dec 3, 2019

I use a 22oz. ACE wooden handle that I like pretty good. I know that there are better hammers but I like to sleep @ night not worry about a hammer walking off. I live in a bad neighborhood.

DFB · Dec 3, 2019

20z Craftsman, 22oz Estwing, 19oz Milwaukee, 16oz Estwing, 16oz Estwing

lardy1 · Dec 3, 2019

I spent 30 years with an Estwing S20 attached to the end of my arm.

Ton ton · Dec 4, 2019

DFB said:
20z Craftsman, 22oz Estwing, 19oz Milwaukee, 16oz Estwing, 16oz Estwing

I agree with the pic idea. My Ace hammer is so ugly I don't want to take a pic of it.

GTO · Dec 4, 2019

My curved handle Dead On and my Fathers early sixties Plomb claw hammer

Jeffh40 · Dec 4, 2019

I've had several hammers over the years but I can't think of a better purchase than my Estwing 20 oz. I've had it for close to 30 years and will never get rid of it.

Mine's no where near this pretty anymore.

DFB · Dec 4, 2019

20 ouncers IMO are ideal for light construction/framing chores

My 20oz Craftsman has always been a joy to use when you need some weight. I've had it for about 40 years now. Not as long handle as the larger Estwing and much more forgiving on the arm.

I have always been curious to what company supplied it. I had once though maybe Estwing as it's all steel and USA built, but the contours are different as you can see in the photo.

Downwindtracker 2 · Dec 4, 2019

Vaughan is Craftsman's longest steady supplier . Hammers, axes or casing bars. I've only recently found this out. I had shied away from Craftsman woodworking as they were generally second rate tools,

This makes Craftsman axes at garage sales a very good deal.

Ton ton · Dec 4, 2019

Downwindtracker 2 said:
Vaughan is Craftsman's longest steady supplier . Hammers, axes or casing bars. I've only recently found this out. I had shied away from Craftsman woodworking as they were generally second rate tools,

This makes Craftsman axes at garage sales a very good deal.

Cool, thanks.

itylerstewart · Dec 4, 2019

I run a 23oz Vaughan California framer in linework

DFB · Dec 4, 2019

DFB said:
20 ouncers IMO are ideal for light construction/framing chores

My 20oz Craftsman has always been a joy to use when you need some weight. I've had it for about 40 years now. Not as long handle as the larger Estwing and much more forgiving on the arm.

I have always been curious to what company supplied it. I had once though maybe Estwing as it's all steel and USA built, but the contours are different as you can see in the photo.

Downwindtracker 2 said:
Vaughan is Craftsman's longest steady supplier . Hammers, axes or casing bars. I've only recently found this out. I had shied away from Craftsman woodworking as they were generally second rate tools,

This makes Craftsman axes at garage sales a very good deal.

Ton ton said:
Cool, thanks.

Hehe "Vintage"....

:lol_hitti

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233419468818

Trapps · Dec 4, 2019

Although I've had trouble with some of the left handed hammers available, I recommend you pick up any Estwing that suits your need/job at hand.

Nothing wrong with Vaughn, Stanley, or any other brand. That Craftsman ballpeen was my grandfathers and still swings as true as its operator.

:beer:

Claw Hammer thread.

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