hammers - what do I need
- Thread starter chappys4life
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RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Now thats a BFH...
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Uncle Buck
Banned
some working hammers
Are some of these tools used, or are they all collected? Not trying to stir the pot, just curious.
These are hammers I use, I do not collect many hammers, do have a few ballpein blue points from the 20s. And a 40s blue point body hammer in very nice condition.
The big sledge, I purchased one years ago, its was broke and I traded it in to toolman for a new one, I am gitten to old to use it.
The big sledge, I purchased one years ago, its was broke and I traded it in to toolman for a new one, I am gitten to old to use it.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Thanks for the dead blow defenition. I thought my soft face hammers were dead blows but was mistaken. I quess its a dead blow shopping spree for me too. So, would the dead blow ball peins take the place of regular soild head hickory handled ball peins? When would you need the original kind if you owned both? I am looking at the BP Stanleys as they seem easily obtainable from Sears, and maybe HF for a few soft face ones.
snapmom, Whats the make of the cluster of three orange BP deadblows on the right?
I quess its a dead blow shopping spree for me too. So, would the dead blow ball peins take the place of regular soild head hickory handled ball peins? When would you need the original kind if you owned both? I am looking at the BP Stanleys as they seem easily obtainable from Sears, and maybe HF for a few soft face ones. snapmom, Whats the make of the cluster of three orange BP deadblows on the right?
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Uncle Buck
Banned
Thanks for the dead blow defenition. I thought my soft face hammers were dead blows but was mistaken.
snapmom, Whats the make of the cluster of three orange BP deadblows on the right?
They are Snap-on of course!
speed bump
Well-known member
Snapmom, is that big orange hammer a dead blow and what size is it?
<>Severed<>
Well-known member
As a body guy hammers are a important part of the job. heres the ones I have so far. There are a couple of differnt body hammers that I want to get still but these get the job done. The one in the top right (blue square head) is called a foam fist and is super soft way better then using your hand to smack something together.
Snapon hammer is too rich for me, my 99 cent rubber mallet was used to assemble and disassemble a couple dozen commercial shelf units (pounding in shelves to lock). HF 5 pc ball peen hammer set was $10, $4 for the 3lb dead blow, and about the same for the 3 lb sledge. The brass hammer and decent soft face are going to cost me, same for brass drifts and other related bits. Spend only where you have to is my view.
Good tip on the white rubber mallet, getting one asap (but for no more than $2).
If I buy body work hammers and stuff, it will be 100% HF.
Good tip on the white rubber mallet, getting one asap (but for no more than $2).
If I buy body work hammers and stuff, it will be 100% HF.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I'm in love with Estwing hammers. I have a 30 oz framer, 16 oz claw, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32.oz ball peens.
I'm going to add a 3 lb engineers hammer, chipping hammer, and two of their soft face hammers. I personally don't like the dead blow ball peens, especially since I often need to use the side of the head in tight spaces, and you can't with them.
I'm going to add a 3 lb engineers hammer, chipping hammer, and two of their soft face hammers. I personally don't like the dead blow ball peens, especially since I often need to use the side of the head in tight spaces, and you can't with them.
Uncle Buck
Banned
BIG MISTAKE THERE! I HAVE A COUPLE DRAWERS FULL OF HAMMERS, DOLLIES AND SPOONS. I PAID PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR FOR ALL OF IT USED OVER MANY YEARS. JUST KEEP YER EYES OPEN AND BUY AS YOU FIND, NOT WHEN YOU NEED! I TOO BUY SOME HF STUFF, BUT DON'T DO IT HERE YOU WILL REGRET IT!
(NO I AM NOT YELLING THOUGH I AM USING CAPS, WE ARE GOOD!
)Chris Adams
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- Oct 21, 2007
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I have a lot of the HF body tools, got them free from a buddy that didn't like them.
The swap meet stuff I have is worlds better.
Really.
Old American stuff sells for next to nothing and is so much more useful.
The old hammers were bigger, better steel and better shapes.
The dollies from HF are light don't have the mass you want and often have weird curves.
The super solid used stuff is what you want for most body work.
RickP330
Well-known member
Okay,
I saw at least some of you have a 4oz - my buddie is an A&P mechanic and he said the small ball pein is the first tool he grabs when goes to work on a new airframe. He told me to get one
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1053&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
said I would be suprised how often I'd reach for it. I still haven't gotten one, but it's on my short list of tools to purchase....
RickP
I saw at least some of you have a 4oz - my buddie is an A&P mechanic and he said the small ball pein is the first tool he grabs when goes to work on a new airframe. He told me to get one
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1053&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
said I would be suprised how often I'd reach for it. I still haven't gotten one, but it's on my short list of tools to purchase....
RickP
I took the anode out of my old water heater yesterday morning, 1 1/16 HF jumbo wrench with the HF 3 lb deadblow. It didn't come out easy, but everything worked fine. Whats going to be more demanding than a full swack on the edge of a wrench?
I completely agree, swap meet old tools before new junk, but I live in SoCal the land of body shops always hiring so good tools even bad tools often have crazy used prices. I'll have to see what my swap meet used Snapon guy wants for a "hammer".
I completely agree, swap meet old tools before new junk, but I live in SoCal the land of body shops always hiring so good tools even bad tools often have crazy used prices. I'll have to see what my swap meet used Snapon guy wants for a "hammer".
speed bump
Well-known member
I have one in the very bottom of my hammer drawer and the last time I used was sometime when I had something tiny to hit. I prefer my 3 lb dead blow or my drillers hammer, however if I hated my shoulder the little ball pein would be ideal.
MAD
Well-known member
The Vaughan RM24 is a great rubber mallet. The steel head gives it some real heft. They have them for around $16 - $17 at Home Depot. - A good stocking stuffer for your holiday list.
http://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-RM24-14-Inch-Professional-Flame-Treated/dp/B00018ANT4
edit: Looks like Vaughan makes one for Craftsman as well
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00938304000P
http://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-RM24-14-Inch-Professional-Flame-Treated/dp/B00018ANT4
edit: Looks like Vaughan makes one for Craftsman as well
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00938304000P
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rsanter
Well-known member
small meduim and large ball piens and a BFH
also need a rubber/plastic dead blow
bob
also need a rubber/plastic dead blow
bob
dwilliams35
Well-known member
I'm sold on estwings as well: pretty much indestructible, no matter which one you get. However, unlike yours, mine don't still have the labels on them.I'm in love with Estwing hammers. I have a 30 oz framer, 16 oz claw, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32.oz ball peens.
I'm going to add a 3 lb engineers hammer, chipping hammer, and two of their soft face hammers. I personally don't like the dead blow ball peens, especially since I often need to use the side of the head in tight spaces, and you can't with them.
MAD
Well-known member
nissan_crawler posted that picture last April when he bought those hammers. I suspect they probably are looking a bit more broken in by now, judging by some of the nice fabrication he has posted.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Hmm, I'm an A&P mechanic, have never wanted one that small, and doubt I ever would. I have a 12, 16, and 24 at work. The 16 gets used the most, followed by the 24. Rarely will I reach for the 12 oz.
Vinko
Well-known member
We use these in our machine shop. My father does, among other things, tool and die work and likes them. Also Stanley deadblow in orange. (I think offered by SO at one time?). I use that for various projects and like its balance. I'm more of a dabbler than a pro., so someone else might have a more informed opinion.
Anyone have an opinion on Vaughan ball peins? Who makes the Blue Point (USA) ball pein hammers?
Vinko
Well-known member
Vinko
Well-known member
That's the next tool I'm thinking of getting. I can think of a lot of uses for that. Just in small carpentry projects where a tap'll do ya.
Vinko
Well-known member
Harry Epstein has Vaughan ball pein hammers on clearance, here:
http://www.harryepstein.com/miscgeneral.htm
also Vaughan chisels for two bucks. And Armstrong needle nose pliers for $8.
http://www.harryepstein.com/miscgeneral.htm
also Vaughan chisels for two bucks. And Armstrong needle nose pliers for $8.
I've got a surprising assortment of hammers... I have two 5-lb sledge hammers from my Grandpa's collection: one is permanently with my swap meet gear to pound in the signs at the show field, the other gets used on chassis stuff when I've got something particularly disagreeable or am pounding rebar stakes thru pressure treated wood for landscape projects. (have done a 5 in the 10 years I've been a home owner).
I have several ball-pien hammers in different sizes for many different things. Big and little...depends on what you're doing--cutting a piece of small chain with a chisel or cutting a piece of big chain with a chisel requires a different sized hammer.
One older Craftsman rubber mallet that's had a fair amount of use and has held up perfectly.
EVERY car shop needs a decent claw hammer--you often end up putting nails in walls, etc. and I think it's it most mortgage paperwork that a home owner MUST have a claw hammer.
I've got a non-marring plastic faced Craftsman hammer that I've abused over the years...I guess that's what it's for though. The plastic face is sacrificial.
I don't have a dead blow, but certainly need one.
I have a few Snap-on body hammers...you can't work sheetmetal with ball-pien hammers.
The most used hammer in my tool box is a very small ball pien hammer..VERY small. Everywhere you would use your hands to push something apart but the pressure hurts your thumbs...every time you put a screwdriver on something and push, etc.
-Brad
I have several ball-pien hammers in different sizes for many different things. Big and little...depends on what you're doing--cutting a piece of small chain with a chisel or cutting a piece of big chain with a chisel requires a different sized hammer.
One older Craftsman rubber mallet that's had a fair amount of use and has held up perfectly.
EVERY car shop needs a decent claw hammer--you often end up putting nails in walls, etc. and I think it's it most mortgage paperwork that a home owner MUST have a claw hammer.
I've got a non-marring plastic faced Craftsman hammer that I've abused over the years...I guess that's what it's for though. The plastic face is sacrificial.
I don't have a dead blow, but certainly need one.
I have a few Snap-on body hammers...you can't work sheetmetal with ball-pien hammers.
The most used hammer in my tool box is a very small ball pien hammer..VERY small. Everywhere you would use your hands to push something apart but the pressure hurts your thumbs...every time you put a screwdriver on something and push, etc.
-Brad
I have a little ball pein that was my grandfathers. It isn't something you use every day, but I think they come in handy at times.
Hammers are typically rather heavy when grouped together. Elroy has chosen to place his collection in the bottom drawer.
Mine are hung from the pegboard...
kartracer55
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- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
I Highly recommend one of these...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ame=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&sName=Hammers
This thing has proved to be one of my most used hammers. It isn't super heavy, but ideal for tapping loose valve covers, oil pans and other parts that tend to get a little stuck. Excellent for aluminum stuff as well. I've been using mine almost every weekend at the track for like 5 years now and Im still on the original faces, which can be replaced for 1.99 each.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ame=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&sName=Hammers
This thing has proved to be one of my most used hammers. It isn't super heavy, but ideal for tapping loose valve covers, oil pans and other parts that tend to get a little stuck. Excellent for aluminum stuff as well. I've been using mine almost every weekend at the track for like 5 years now and Im still on the original faces, which can be replaced for 1.99 each.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Hammers are typically rather heavy when grouped together. Elroy has chosen to place his collection in the bottom drawer.
Elroy, Nice collection.
What treasure is hiding in that vintage looking leather pouch on the right side?Elroy, Nice collection.
Line wrenches
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24697&
Vinko
Well-known member
I just picked up the 12 oz. Blue Point hammer. I believe made in the USA. I like the handle, but the finish (varnish) on the handle isn't perfect. Next I need an 8 oz.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Funny how things change. Within the last 24-36 hours, I posted on another thread the following statement: "I dont want anything to do with Snap -On". Today I find myself about to make my first purchase off of the SO website. This is why: I ordered three Stanley dead blow compo-cast ball peins; the first (24 oz.) arrived this morning and I have to say I am very dissapointed. I went to three Sears to try to look at these but no one had them for inspection, so I ordered them blindly which I hate to do on anything. The handle was really thin and shiney and felt greasy/slippery even when wipped down. The casting of the plastic was really poor with defects that I can only assume were made from bubbles in the plastic. There were alot of really deep grind marks on it from cleaning off the overmold, and still had considerable overmold creeping onto the metal heads. Rust was on the pein end. Now, I am not that picky of a person but keep in mind this thing was around $56 after tax. For mallet style dead blows I went with HF and am very happy, FWIW the HF handles were considerably beefier/non -slippery/more comfortable than the Stanley. I only own one SO item; it's a replacible plastic tipped (black/grey) hammer that Ive had for about 15 years or so and have allways been happy with, so, I fiquired I would give Snap -On a try.The problem is; the SO site only list two sizes. 
Where are the other sizes? I know theirs more sizes because of pictures on this post. Please dont tell me I have to chase down a truck.
SO Dead Blow Ball peins: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=hand&Group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store
Where are the other sizes? I know theirs more sizes because of pictures on this post. Please dont tell me I have to chase down a truck.SO Dead Blow Ball peins: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=hand&Group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store
Uncle Buck
Banned
I have had a couple of Snappy deadblow hammers for years, one of them a ball pein, I have nothing but good words for them. Great stuff there. Make sure and round yerself up a few decent brass punches for inclusion in your set.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Thanks holmberg; why arn't more sizes/weights listed on the SO store site? I know theres more than two.
link: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store
link: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store
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Uncle Buck
Banned
I do not know, but make sure not to settle for that little one, get the bigger one of the two you showed.