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Framers in Da House

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mobiledynamics

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Wth is going on with tool pricing....

I was stumbling across Douglas Hammers. He's asking $200 for a hammer these days. I have two framers and a lightweight finish and I kno I did not pay $200 per hammer for them. Am I going crazy ? Or is the youtube vlogs driving esoteric makers $$ happy
 
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Stuart in MN

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It appears Douglas is some sort of boutique brand that has a premium price, but no one is forcing you to buy one. You can get an Estwing framing hammer for $40 and it will probably do everything you could with the Douglas.
 
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mobiledynamics

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To clarify on the OP, I have Douglas hammers. The same 2 bones he's asking for I think I paid maybe $75 for them. Pretty big rate change...
 
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ChrisLS8

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Looks like Vaughan makes a "Douglas pattern" not quite so fancy at a much nicer price. I don't understand the appeal of an expensive boutique hammer like that. Most my tools look years old within 2 weeks
 
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shelteredV

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If you swing a hammer all day, a Douglas is a Corvette compared to a Vaughn or Estwing. Well worth it. i personally swing a Hart framer, but that's what I happen to like.
 
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mike93lx

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shelteredV said:
If you swing a hammer all day, a Douglas is a Corvette compared to a Vaughn or Estwing. Well worth it. i personally swing a Hart framer, but that's what I happen to like.
Click to expand...

I think the same can be said for titanium offerings from stiletto and Martinez.

Personally, I do most of my nailing with a gun and swing a few very cheap hammers... But I am just a hobbyist
 
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lardy1

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The day a nailer can do everything I can do with my Estwing, I'll stand naked on main street. I agree that nailers are the way to go but technology hasn't replaced the hammer yet and likely never will.
 
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JohnM45

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This thread is a mind-blower. I bought a Douglas DFI18 about 12 or 14 years ago. I just googled that hammer and the Douglas website sold the last one for a $216 winning bid...I guess they auctioned it off.

When I bought the hammer, I was with a friend of mine and we both were impressed with them...paid maybe $70 at the time. He was a timber framer at the time and I was just a joe-homeowner. But, being the weak, petty, tool-loving **** that I am, I bought one...great hammer, but it sure ain't a $150 or $200 hammer, IMO. It has quite a few good projects on its resume, but the last few years, it mostly hangs pictures....I know, sad.

Anyway, great thread. Great hammers. I oughta try selling it if it'll bring that much money.
 
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shelteredV

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A hammer is an extension of your arm, hell, it's an extension of your being. Bostitch ain't got a replacement... I'm a little guy, but swung a 24 oz. framer for a while. Went down to a 22 Hart smooth face, and then to a 20 oz. Have to admit, I don't get to play with heavy or sharp objects any more, my guys tend to scatter if I do, but I still carry my 20 framer in my truck box, love that hammer.
 
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mobiledynamics

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The history on Douglas afaik, is that they licensed the design to Vaughan. Vaughan still makes that style though. So I'm not sure WHY the current pricepoint offered from Douglas is almost maybe 3X of what I think paid for them when they came out.

At those prices, I'd rather buy me a Ti
 
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ChrisLS8

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Cordless framing guns will replace hammers soon. Alot of stuff is getting to be modular. Build off-site and crane it up
 
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mike93lx

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ChrisLS8 said:
Cordless framing guns will replace hammers soon. Alot of stuff is getting to be modular. Build off-site and crane it up
Click to expand...

Not a chance. It isn't the hose that stopped pneumatic from doing the same.

Sometimes you need a hammer. That will never go away.
 
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jg4660

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No doubt there will always be a need for a hammer and they will never be totally replaced by air or cordless framer's. I just can't imagine how a $200 hammer is gonna be worth the price difference over another of reasonable quality for even $50.

JG
 
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mike93lx

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jg4660 said:
No doubt there will always be a need for a hammer and they will never be totally replaced by air or cordless framer's. I just can't imagine how a $200 hammer is gonna be worth the price difference over another of reasonable quality for even $50.

JG
Click to expand...

The same can be said for ratchets, sockets, wrenches any tool. I think my $20HF ratchets are amazing and many people here love their $100 SO/Matco/etc. Depends on your use case and comfort with spending money.

I am absolutely certain that we all have at least one tool that many people would question the need for
 
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