Dead Blow Hammers ? Why ?
- Thread starter Weedwaka
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Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
They don't rebound for one, also they are a clever way of exerting more force with less mass.
onesickastre
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with a rubber face on them, they do not marr the surface as a regular would
garfunkle24
Well-known member
Do you mean the 'soft faced' aspect or the 'dead blow' part?
For the non-marking part, they allow you to beat on something you don't want to wreck. For example, if you needed to beat on a shaft but then had to pull a bearing off, the dead blow would stop you from mushrooming said shaft.
The 'dead blow' part reduces recoil, directing more force into the work piece.
For some really nice ones, see this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26739&highlight=dead&showall=1
For the non-marking part, they allow you to beat on something you don't want to wreck. For example, if you needed to beat on a shaft but then had to pull a bearing off, the dead blow would stop you from mushrooming said shaft.
The 'dead blow' part reduces recoil, directing more force into the work piece.
For some really nice ones, see this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26739&highlight=dead&showall=1
T VETTE
Well-known member
I used one on my old Corvette that had knock off wheels, did not do any damage to the knock off . 
Tsk tsk, I may have this all wrong, but a hammer with recoil like a ball peen delivers more force than a dead blow for the same weight and speed. With a deal blow part of the energy goes to heat as the "stuff" inside sloshes around. With a hammer that recoils the energy transfer is the energy of the hammer going toward the item, PLUS the energy of the hammer going away.
speed bump
Well-known member
Think of a regular hammer as a semi-elastic collision, think of a dead blow as an in-elastic collision. More energy is transferred in an inelastic than in an elastic one.
My favorite things about dead blows are:
1 It easier on the arms
2 Its quieter
3 it hits much harder
84scrambler
Well-known member
I believe you have that backwards, more energy is transferred in an elastic collision then an inelastic collision to the moving bodies. In an elastic collision kinetic Energy is conserved while in an inelastic collision some energy is lost due to noise and heat.
From basic mechanics you can prove that impacting on a surface with a recoil will transfer more energy into an object then no recoil what so ever. Its been a while since I looked through my mechanics book but I believe this should be correct.
To add to the original question for me its mainly not damaging the surface when using a dead blow hammer.
From basic mechanics you can prove that impacting on a surface with a recoil will transfer more energy into an object then no recoil what so ever. Its been a while since I looked through my mechanics book but I believe this should be correct.
To add to the original question for me its mainly not damaging the surface when using a dead blow hammer.
Merkava_4
Banned
$99.75 is the reason I've never had the pleasure of using one.
A true rich man's tool.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
A true rich man's tool.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Stuey
Well-known member
You guys are starting to mull things up. Ignore inelastic and elastic collisions and momentum and all that jazz since different conditions will produce different results. In some cases a standard hammer will impart more energy, other times the dead blow will.
I haven't used dead blows for long, but I too love them. I'm almost tempted to throw my old mallets away, but they still have their uses.
I haven't used dead blows for long, but I too love them. I'm almost tempted to throw my old mallets away, but they still have their uses.
$99.75 is the reason I've never had the pleasure of using one.
A true rich man's tool.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
And that would explain why I have yet to see one in the shop
LGMechanical
Well-known member
I use the deadblow hammer on aluminum parts or parts that are more fragile. At time I place the deadblow on top of what I need to hit, then hit the back of the deadblow with a steel hammer.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
Like others, I use a dead blow when I want to 'ammer summat, but without hurting it.
kindyr
Well-known member
if you are just looking at the non marring aspect, there are other options.
notably rubber mallets, UHMW(ultra high molecular weight plastic) and Rawhide. in standard formats, all three are a bit light if you really need to hit something though. My preferred option for non marring are Chicago Rawhide split rawhide hammers. I have several sizes depending on what I'm using them for. They also can have the rawhide heads swapped out for plastic or brass if need be.
the deadblow portion is meant for the lack of rebound. the hammer simply hit and doesn't bounce back. I won't get into the physics of if it imparts more energy that way, but no rebound is useful in tight areas where the hammer might rebound into something expensive like another engine part, and back into the weilders face...
no clue is the name brand deadblow does that much better than the HF brand, but they have their uses.
notably rubber mallets, UHMW(ultra high molecular weight plastic) and Rawhide. in standard formats, all three are a bit light if you really need to hit something though. My preferred option for non marring are Chicago Rawhide split rawhide hammers. I have several sizes depending on what I'm using them for. They also can have the rawhide heads swapped out for plastic or brass if need be.
the deadblow portion is meant for the lack of rebound. the hammer simply hit and doesn't bounce back. I won't get into the physics of if it imparts more energy that way, but no rebound is useful in tight areas where the hammer might rebound into something expensive like another engine part, and back into the weilders face...
no clue is the name brand deadblow does that much better than the HF brand, but they have their uses.
johnny1290
Well-known member
I'd always wanted one sso I got one at Sears when the one near me was going out of business
I <3 my hammer.
it's great for hammering in a tight spot or anywhere that you don't want the recoil to bounce into something
Mainly I like it because it's just so much more pleasant to use with no recoil and sound or slippingi off the the surface
and I like the way the sand inside sounds..it's an imprompteu toy/musical instrument
I <3 my hammer.
it's great for hammering in a tight spot or anywhere that you don't want the recoil to bounce into something
Mainly I like it because it's just so much more pleasant to use with no recoil and sound or slippingi off the the surface
and I like the way the sand inside sounds..it's an imprompteu toy/musical instrument
Adam McLaughlin
Well-known member
A dead blow hammer is probably THE most used hammer by myself, as a transmission mechanic. I don't think I have use for any other nearly as much as I use a dead blow.
Adam
Adam
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I can't believe some of you guys don't have a dead blow hammer! At home and at work, I use the dead blow hammers more than any other. A good dead blow doesn't have to cost a crazy Snap-On amount of money. Sears has Nuplas, SKs, and Craftsmans for way less. I love my Nupla with the steel face on one side and the urethane face on the other.
Coach James
Well-known member
Dead blow hammers for many things...
My HF dead blow has served me well.
And kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions, but not in inelastic.
Coach
My HF dead blow has served me well.
And kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions, but not in inelastic.
Coach
+1
I use mine for everything from automotive to wood chisels. It really moves the object of you hammering!Chris Adams
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80% of my hammering is with the deadblows, useful around wood or metal.
15% of my hammering is with a body hammer, and the rest is divided among rubber mallets, ball peen, sledge, brass and claw.
I bought some deadblows at HF, they work fine, got others on line cheap, they also work fine.
Maybe the really nice ones that cost 5-15 times as much would work better, but I really don't see how.
Deadblows also don't sting your hand when you really wail it.
15% of my hammering is with a body hammer, and the rest is divided among rubber mallets, ball peen, sledge, brass and claw.
I bought some deadblows at HF, they work fine, got others on line cheap, they also work fine.
Maybe the really nice ones that cost 5-15 times as much would work better, but I really don't see how.
Deadblows also don't sting your hand when you really wail it.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
Yes, I was going to say it earlier. A dead blow is one of those things where a Harbor Freight branded one would be OK. I'd still prefer a Nupla, but at work we have cheap Performance Tool dead blows, and they work just as well.
While we are on the subject, does anyone else use the deadblow without a handle like this one?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00979534000P?keyword=dead+blow
I haven't used mine much, but it has come in handy on occasion.
While we are on the subject, does anyone else use the deadblow without a handle like this one?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00979534000P?keyword=dead+blow
I haven't used mine much, but it has come in handy on occasion.
fordracing200
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Interesting, never seen that before. BTW I hate sears new web site..
Simple test, take a 3 lb dead blow, a 3 lb sledge, and give a center punch a whack with each on a piece of steel and compare the results.
The right tool for the right job.
HF is great for the dead blows, and I use my I think 3 lb a lot. I feel a bit safer taking a serious smack to something with it, which is what maybe some are confusing with more actual force. Almost bought the 2 lb last time on sale for about $8.
The right tool for the right job.
HF is great for the dead blows, and I use my I think 3 lb a lot. I feel a bit safer taking a serious smack to something with it, which is what maybe some are confusing with more actual force. Almost bought the 2 lb last time on sale for about $8.
georgiadave
Well-known member
A lead hammer is fairly cheap and works well.
-B-
Well-known member
More power that is why !
I have , bronze, lead, lead/ rawhide, rawhide, UHMP, and urethane DB's
and lots of steel too unless pounding nail, tin, stone or cold chisel it is one of the many DB's that see duty.
I have , bronze, lead, lead/ rawhide, rawhide, UHMP, and urethane DB's
and lots of steel too unless pounding nail, tin, stone or cold chisel it is one of the many DB's that see duty.
Brass hammers do not produce sparks.
SportFury59
Well-known member
I just used my big orange HF dead blow hammer today installing a 2x10 (54" length) window header. It was a tight fit and the db hammer persuaded the header to go in place.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=dead&Submit=Go
HF apparently has two different lines, a Pittsburgh dead blow series of 4 hammers in black, and a series of 6 in orange, 1 to 4 lbs, priced $5 to $12 not on sale.
I have I think the 3 lb orange, looking to add the 1 and 2 lb also in orange unless there is some reason for black.
I also still use my $2 rubber mallets from time to time.
HF apparently has two different lines, a Pittsburgh dead blow series of 4 hammers in black, and a series of 6 in orange, 1 to 4 lbs, priced $5 to $12 not on sale.
I have I think the 3 lb orange, looking to add the 1 and 2 lb also in orange unless there is some reason for black.
I also still use my $2 rubber mallets from time to time.
south pier garage
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Nupla cross pien 30 ounce engineers hammer & block of hardwood.
"end of story"
"end of story"
Frank Elson
Well-known member
All the US deadblows I have seen seem to come in a one-piece (I've never seen one in real life, just in pics on here)
so, do you have anything like this one of mine?
It's more than 20 years old and was given to me by a friend who "liberated" it from his job as a tool-maker.
Mostly metal with screw in replacement plastic/nylon strikers. No name anywhere.
so, do you have anything like this one of mine?
It's more than 20 years old and was given to me by a friend who "liberated" it from his job as a tool-maker.
Mostly metal with screw in replacement plastic/nylon strikers. No name anywhere.
Chris Adams
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Dead blows are usually in one piece.
They sell the interchangeable end hammers at HF. They are not dead blow.
I have an older one, don't remember where it came from, but I would have no idea where to buy new ends.
I have several dead blow hammers with brass on one end, but can't say I really need them. They were super cheap.
Dead blow hammer is not the same as a rubber, plastic, brass, lead, whatever hammer. If you don't use them you won't know how much different.
Closest might be soft lead hammer, but without out the pollution, marking and clumsy weight.
They sell the interchangeable end hammers at HF. They are not dead blow.
I have an older one, don't remember where it came from, but I would have no idea where to buy new ends.
I have several dead blow hammers with brass on one end, but can't say I really need them. They were super cheap.
Dead blow hammer is not the same as a rubber, plastic, brass, lead, whatever hammer. If you don't use them you won't know how much different.
Closest might be soft lead hammer, but without out the pollution, marking and clumsy weight.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Frank Elson
Well-known member
Seems I have it wrong then.
So, now I know what a dead blow is I'll have a look here for one.
So, tell me, what is mine known as then?
It is loaded with lead and it don't bounce, or damage what it hits...
So, now I know what a dead blow is I'll have a look here for one.
So, tell me, what is mine known as then?
It is loaded with lead and it don't bounce, or damage what it hits...
Last edited:
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Yours is a deadblow Frank, Its just a different variety that is not as well know here but they are found here. I believe the deadblows with the interchangeable heads are fairly popular with body men.
Uncle Buck
Banned
And that would explain why I have yet to see one in the shop
You do not have to spend tons of money to get a decent dead blow hammer. Your choice is not limited to Snap-on, every well equipped mechanics box should have several dead blow hammers. All dead blows do the same thing, some are just a bit pricier.
If you cannot afford Snap-on, but want a dead blow hammer then go to Harbor Freight and buy a cheap one, for some odd reason I have this notion it will work just fine.
