I'm in the market for some ball peen hammers and have a feeling I'm going to become addicted to vintage hammers. So far I only own a small Maydole ball peen and a 22 oz Maydole carpenter hammer. I was wondering what other brands I should keep my eyes open for, or what some of your favorite hammers are? Do your favorite makers depend on the type of hammer?
Favorite Vintage Hammer Brands
- Thread starter jhnlngn
- Start date
4xdog
Well-known member
I've got a small True Temper ball peen hammer that's often my first go-to. 12 oz, I'd guess. Not that old -- probably 1980s -- but it's a good little hammer.
I really liked my 1970s Blue Point dead blow ball peen, but the polymer turned to mush a few years ago. It's Snap-on replacement doesn't have the same appeal.
I really liked my 1970s Blue Point dead blow ball peen, but the polymer turned to mush a few years ago. It's Snap-on replacement doesn't have the same appeal.
four.cycle
Well-known member
check the "Hammer Time!" thread - that should give you some good ideas:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143435
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143435
Larryjones
Well-known member
I picked up a Fairmount 24oz head a few weeks ago. Dollar handle from the flea market and it looks good.
crackit
Well-known member
Most of my vintage ball peins are Plumb, True Temper, Vaughan (also made Craftsman), or Atha. All of these are good.
I have a few hammers, but this 16oz. Craftsman branded ball peen is the one that I use more than any other non nail pounding hammer I own. For punches, chisels, driving out pins, etc., this is the one I reach for first. I bought it new in the early/mid 1990s. It's one of those tools that feels just right when I use it. Good balance, the right weight..... I like it so much that I'll occasionally rub the striking surfaces with a scotch brite pad to keep it looking good.
Jim C.
Jim C.
Attachments
Last edited:
That's a great looking hammer! I really like the color and finish of the handle.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Herbrand and Plvmb/Proto
Yeah, thanks! It's a good hammer. I use it all the time, but then again, I don't abuse it either. It just happens to fit the bill for most of my projects, but when it doesn't I don't beat the **** out of it.....I just get a bigger/heavier hammer.
Jim C.
Yeah, thanks! It's a good hammer. I use it all the time, but then again, I don't abuse it either. It just happens to fit the bill for most of my projects, but when it doesn't I don't beat the **** out of it.....I just get a bigger/heavier hammer.
Jim C.
Is that all the original finish? It's in amazing condition for being over 20 years old.
Thanks! I've seen Herbrand here and there but wasn't sure as to the quality. I have seen Proto ball peens but never Plvmb. Didn't I read that they never labeled their ball peens Plvmb, just other hammers?
Super Mech
Well-known member
I've got the same one, also purchased in the 90s. Great hammer. It was my go to for years until the handle broke and I never got around to replacing it. I use a Snap on now. I've got 2 NOS Protos in the garage with the green handle that have never been used. I had a bunch more and sold them on EBay a few years ago.
davethorik
Well-known member
I have a Pexto claw hammer with a non original stubby handle. It's old but very nicely made. I need to get a better handle fitted to it.
Yes, the handle and finish are original. I'm pretty careful (actually more like fanatical) about my tools. I don't abuse them......ever. And I learned early on to NEVER loan them out. So I use them regularly and I'll spend the extra time to keep them in top condition. There's nothing like picking up an older (or newer) clean tool that's in good, ready to use condition. If I'm working around a car, I ALWAYS put down a movers blanket to avoid any hand tools from coming into contact with the concrete floor. If I'm under the car, I put down a towel or two for the same reason. Out in the shop, I have connecting rubber mats around my work bench. They protect tools from the floor and they're great if you're standing for long periods of time. If a tool gets a scuff, like that hammer, I'll use a scotch brite pad on it to keep the bare metal clean. Insane.....right? I feel like I spent a lot of money on my arsenal of tools, and they've served me well, so I really try to take care of them.
Jim C.
crackit
Well-known member
OP, that's some really good advice. My ball peins range from an ounce or two up to two or three pounds, and if you use the appropriate one you don't have to swing very hard. For stuff that really needs persuading, I use three or four pound drilling or engineers hammers.
Vintage hammers will definitely save you some money if you shop garage/estate sales. Most of the ones you see will be ****, but good ones are out there. And bad handles are fairly easy to replace.
Here's a little 2oz. ball peen that belonged to my grandfather. He was a tool and die maker. The hammer was in his box along with many other tools of the trade. If you look closely, you can see that it's marked with a Keen Kutter stamp. The KK stamp is somewhat obscured by my "grandfather applied" initials.
Jim C.
Jim C.
Attachments
ganymede
Well-known member
H Cheney Corp
Little Falls NY.
In the center of the logo it says Tool steel guaranteed.
I'm pretty sure the claw hammer is the same make.
It's my fave nail hammer because it belonged to a Greatest Generation neighbor .
I think of him every time I use his tools.
View media item 68124
Little Falls NY.
In the center of the logo it says Tool steel guaranteed.
I'm pretty sure the claw hammer is the same make.
It's my fave nail hammer because it belonged to a Greatest Generation neighbor .
I think of him every time I use his tools.
View media item 68124
Last edited:
Very cool! My grandfather was a tool and die maker as well but I think most of his tools have disappeared over time, he did have 4 sons. My father was a patternmaker and he gave me what he no longer had any use for. So I have a nice Kennedy tool box with a lot of Starrett tools. I'll also never run out of files in my lifetime!
Thanks for the advice! I am surprised by how many hammers I come across with no makers marks on them. I just assumed that at one time the maker was on a sticker on the handle or something. I've just been staying away from those. I have a number of old woodworking machines that I've restored and doing a few hammers looks like it could be fun too.
Not insane at all. I'm much the same way and probably one of the reasons I don't have kids. lol