Drilling Hammer

[Indy125]

Hello Everyone!

I am interested in buying what harbor freight calls, a "drilling hammer". I like the size and the weight of the one they sell. However, I would much rather get a hammer that is of better quality, and if at all possible get one made in the USA, of course at a reasonable price. Thoughts, comments?

Thanks so much!!

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-12-lb-hardwood-drilling-hammer-67816.html

 

[cgrutt]

I like Estwing hammers but they're considerably more expensive than the one you posted. Made in USA. Can get a 3# with fiberglass handle for about $15 or one piece forged steel head/handle for about $25 from Home Depot.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I've always found Tekton products to be really good for the price.

They have a good line up of hammers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMMI6W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[minnesotadude]

All the harbor freight hammers scare me. It seems like everyone I pick up has a sloppy head. Vaughan or estwing shouldn't really be that expensive.

 

[Thumper68]

I have Vaughan in 2 and 3 pounds love them.

 

[jumbojak]

Sears has a craftsman drilling hammer for about $15. I've found the Craftsman hammers are very nice.

 

[Codejack]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I33UDUS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a Stanley Fatmax framing hammer that has been fantastic.

Probably not USA, but best bang for the buck.

 

[Indy125]

Thanks!

Sorry for asking such an ignorant question, other than personal preference, what is the main difference between fiberglass, metal and wood handles? Electric shock, vibrations...?


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-48-oz-Steel-Drilling-Hammer-MRF3LB/202183868

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-3-lbs-Drilling-Hammer-B3-3LB/100394901

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-...-Hammer-with-Hickory-Handle-MRW-3LB/203075920

 

[Codejack]

Thanks!

Sorry for asking such an ignorant question, other than personal preference, what is the main difference between fiberglass, metal and wood handles? Electric shock, vibrations...?

Steel conducts electricity, the others do not.

Vibration can be a problem with any material, but a good hammer can be low vibration with any material.

I have hammers with each type of handle, and the only personal preference I have is for a big, thick rubber handle, which is usually found on metal and fiberglass.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I have the first blue estwing one. I’ve beaten the ever living **** out of it with no issues. Ball joints brake drums rotors etc. good little hammer

 

[cgrutt]

Think some of it is personal preference. Steel is most durable but will also vibrate most. Wood (hickory) is traditional material. Some say it feels best but I think that is personal preference. Looks good. Needs care to avoid damaging it and for long term maintenance. Could crack at some point. Fiberglass has good durability and minimizes vibrations. Can crack/splinter esp. in colder weather. Hard to replace. I don't have the estwing drilling hammer but do have a number of Estwings with the steel handle and antivibration grip. I think they're great and don't notice any excessive vibration, but again personal preference...

 

[maxdustington]

I have the second estwing listed. It's excellent, as is every estwing I have ever seen. The vibration reducing grip is actually effective in comparison to a wood handle.
3lbs provides a noticeable difference compared to a normal sized ball pein, claw or rip and the short handle makes it pretty handy.

 

[Pig_Pen]

I picked up a craftsman 48oz drilling hammer with a hickory handle a few months ago for less than 20 a couple months ago that was USA made. I believe it's been replaced with a fiberglass handle but is still USA made.

 

[davethorik]

I have an Estwing 3lb with metal handle, and I love it.
I also have a Nupla 3lb with fiberglass handle and their ribbed rubber grip. Love it as well, I just use it for "less extreme" uses than the Estwing, although I prefer the Nupla's grip. Both quality USA hammers.

 

[xela456]

These hammers are useless. if want to hit something with your knuckles just use your fist!

 

[rick carpenter]

I've got a Craftsman and an Estwing metal handled hammers and prefer to use them for demo work. I use them for hammering nails too, but I don't do that much.

I have wooden handled ball peins and a wooden handled engineer hammer, all for which I prefer the wood handles. Plus, refitting wood handles is kinda fun for me.

Never got into fiberglass handles.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have Vaughan in 2 and 3 pounds love them.

I have a Vaughan as well; when it comes out you know stuff's about to get serious.

 

[seanb02]

I use metal handle Estwing for my hammers. Have 3lb and 4lb drilling hammers. I wasn't sure about the metal handle when I first ordered them because of the impact to my hands when hitting objects, but this has proven to be a complete non issue with these hammers. Reason I chose metal is because of the environment they are used in, and where they are stored (truck utility body).

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Automotive chemicals seem to screw up wood more than the other materials.
I have an Estwing with the yellow and blue handle, and its hard to get the yellow looking remotely clean, the one I had before was black composite of some sort, and looked better.
Wood also takes it the worst if you miss. For clean work I prefer the feel of it though.
I have mid-good hammers ranging from 1 to 100 years old, and frankly there is not much difference in performance.

 

[WittHay]

^ I am the exact opposite, have always used a Blue-Point 3 lb. wood handle drilling hammer to do dirty mechanical work. The wood doesn't absorb the oil like rubber does. The cheap equivalent to that hammer is the Craftsman made in USA. Have steel Mac 3 and 4 lb. made in Taiwan anti-vibes that are really nice. There might be a cheaper Stanley equivalent to them

For cleaner carpentry work I also have a Estwing 3 lb. Don't use it much

 

[WhiffySpark]

After loosing more than one head, I know longer buy wooden handles

 

[gungatim]

I prefer wood personally. at least with wood you can tighten the head if it loosens. no reason a head should ever come off if you take proper care of it.

 

[Dave455]

Wood handles are pretty good all round. Reasonably durable and absorb shock well.

Metal handles are the most durable. I own the Estwing one piece steel version and it's nice, but even with the rubber grip, there are some things I wouldn't hit with it!

Glass fibre absorb shocks well and is more durable than wood, so as always, it all depends on what you are going to be hitting with it!

Personally, I'd always try the heft and balance before buying. You probably won't ever go wrong with an Estwing, Vaughan or any other decent make, but I've picked up a lot of cheap hammers of all sorts of types, and while some are o.k. the balance of others is dreadful!

Aside from the Estwing, my own club hammer (which is what I'd call this tool, U.S. terminology may be different) is an old British made one. So often the older tools are much nicer made, and so long as you can replicate the original handle, have much nicer balance.

I have yet to 'wear out' one of the heads...!

 

[Jon_E]

Have used the same 3 lb Estwing drilling hammer to pound in survey and construction stakes for at least 25 years. Before that it was my father's and he did the same. I would not use anything else. It's the one-piece steel model with the blue grip.