Need hammer recommendations and info

[Simplespeed]

So iv been a mechanic for years and have always used ball peen hammers. Now i need a claw hammer and aside from looking at one and picking one i like, im not sure what to look for. I haul pipe on a 53ft flatbed trailer. So ill be climbing up on the trailer and then onto large pipe, walking its length to hammer triangle chocks into 4x4s to prevent movement (it'll also be strapped of course). I like how wood handles look. And tips on what to look for would be great. And pics are always nice to look at. Thanks guys!

 

[Snap_cap]

Estwing, or Dalluge if you really desire hickory handles.

Both are Made in USA brands (Dalluge is a division of Vaughn).

 

[General Geoff]

How big are the chocks, how long are the nails?

 

[Simplespeed]

The chocks are cut from 4x4s. If you cut a perfect square off the end and then cut that in half you would have two chocks. We reuse the chocks and nails so we use the nails that are about 3 inches and have two heads which i assume is to make removing them easier.

 

[Snap_cap]

The chocks are cut from 4x4s. If you cut a perfect square off the end and then cut that in half you would have two chocks. We reuse the chocks and nails so we use the nails that are about 3 inches and have two heads which i assume is to make removing them easier.

With that application, you should really buy a cats paw too.

 

[General Geoff]

I'd say a 24oz framing hammer would do you good.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have been using Bostitch for a few years now. They are a great hammer. I think MAC rebrands them.

My go to hammer is a 20 ounce and my other is a 22 ounce. The 22 ounce is also about an inch longer.

 

[Hogtown]

Estwing 20oz ripping (straight claw) hammer.

 

[LB-1911]

So iv been a mechanic for years and have always used ball peen hammers. Now i need a claw hammer and aside from looking at one and picking one i like, im not sure what to look for. I haul pipe on a 53ft flatbed trailer. So ill be climbing up on the trailer and then onto large pipe, walking its length to hammer triangle chocks into 4x4s to prevent movement (it'll also be strapped of course). I like how wood handles look. And tips on what to look for would be great. And pics are always nice to look at. Thanks guys!

The chocks are cut from 4x4s. If you cut a perfect square off the end and then cut that in half you would have two chocks. We reuse the chocks and nails so we use the nails that are about 3 inches and have two heads which i assume is to make removing them easier.

A steel hammer worth a look is a Vaughan V5.

Forged steel hammer designed for heavy duty framing and concrete form work. Shorter claws increase strength. Magnetic nail starter holds both standard and duplex nails. Side nail puller provides greater leverage. Molded slip-resistant grip.


VAUGHAN V5 HAMMER
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/vaughan-v5-hammer/42037.html

Vaughan V Series
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/19-OZ-Milled-Face-Solid-Steel-With-16-Handle__V5.aspx

19 oz All Steel Plain Face Rip Hammer
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/VaughnGrayvik/90158.html

 

[pauls_workshop]

Hi, not sure where you live, but if you are near a Menard's, they sell Vaughan and some Dalluge. A Dalluge 22 oz or so California Framers Hammer with a wood handle or similar Vaughan would be easy to hit those 3" nails with quickly. A normal 16 oz hammer would probably take too many hits/effort for this type job. Estwing is another top brand. I like Vaughan as US made but best value out there. Craftsman sells a number of rebadged Vaughan's which are all top notch as well. - Paul

 

[dutchgray]

I would say get an all steel curved claw 20oz, either Estwing or Vaughan, it will bash 3" nails in no problem and be better at pulling them back out than a strait claw. Hickory handles will be prone to failing removing those nails so you would then need a cats paw as well.

 

[FMC1959]

Hammers are one of the oldest and most basic tools, yet you ask 10 framers to show you their hammer and you are likely to see 10 different hammers. There are lots of good brand names already mentioned and others also (Hart), but you really need to go somewhere they have a big selection and you feel them in your hand and swing them.

You could probably start a whole thread just on wood vs steel handle, but check the composites, there are some nice compromises.

No one can pick a better hammer than you (A dedicated nail puller for your needs might night be a bad idea either)

 

[Simplespeed]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. Iv got something to go off of now. I might have to go raid my dads garage first but i doubt he would let me leave with a hammer lol. Ill hit up home depot and lowed today, maybe a sears and see what they have. To be honest most of the guys are using any old cheap thing they had laying around. But im a bit of a tool snob and like to have nice gear that works well. I know yall understand. Thanks again guys!

 

[back2class]

Cheap ones if you think there is any real chance of loosing it. You can buy a lot of $5 wood handle ones at HD before you reach the cost of a Eastwing for around $30. I personally like Eastwing claw hammers. I think I have 10 of them. I tend to break wood and fiberglass claw hammers when I pull too hard on the claw ends.

 

[Snap_cap]

Hammers are one of the oldest and most basic tools, yet you ask 10 framers to show you their hammer and you are likely to see 10 different hammers. There are lots of good brand names already mentioned and others also (Hart), but you really need to go somewhere they have a big selection and you feel them in your hand and swing them.

You could probably start a whole thread just on wood vs steel handle, but check the composites, there are some nice compromises.

No one can pick a better hammer than you (A dedicated nail puller for your needs might night be a bad idea either)

Hart is no longer, sadly.

They sold the rights to the name to somebody offshore, but retained the rights on the head shape.

Closest thing in shape/head style is Dalluge.

To your remark in bold, that is the absolute truth!

That is why I didn't recommend any particular weight, etc. - just quality brands, since hammers really are a personal preference tool rather than a "one-size-fits-most."

 

[firebox40dash5]

Cheap ones if you think there is any real chance of loosing it. You can buy a lot of $5 wood handle ones at HD before you reach the cost of a Eastwing for around $30. I personally like Eastwing claw hammers. I think I have 10 of them. I tend to break wood and fiberglass claw hammers when I pull too hard on the claw ends.

Yeah.... but... you could also buy a whole lot of sets of HF sockets before you paid for a nice set. That's not the spirit of tool addiction!

That Vaughn V5 looks purdy, and the magnetic starter spot and V-notch look like they'd work great for this... 19oz. sounds like a decent weight too. I know I went balls out and bought a 24oz. framer at first, and after I used it for a day figured out it wasn't made for someone like me to swing all day long.

 

[dutchgray]

Yeah.... but... you could also buy a whole lot of sets of HF sockets before you paid for a nice set. That's not the spirit of tool addiction!

That Vaughn V5 looks purdy, and the magnetic starter spot and V-notch look like they'd work great for this... 19oz. sounds like a decent weight too. I know I went balls out and bought a 24oz. framer at first, and after I used it for a day figured out it wasn't made for someone like me to swing all day long.

Although I recommend a curved claw for this HJE has some Vaughan Gravik factory seconds of the V5 for cheap. I bought one and its great for demo work.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Estwing. Nothing but Estwing.

 

[Tellingthem]

Hart is no longer, sadly.

They sold the rights to the name to somebody offshore, but retained the rights on the head shape.

Closest thing in shape/head style is Dalluge.

To your remark in bold, that is the absolute truth!

That is why I didn't recommend any particular weight, etc. - just quality brands, since hammers really are a personal preference tool rather than a "one-size-fits-most."

Seriously, my favorite hammer is a cheap import one. I didn't have my usual and needed one for a quick job. Just swung into the Depot and grabbed the cheapest one because I figured I'd probably never use it again. 7-8 years later and 100's of jobs and still my favorite hammer. There is just something about it I can't explain. It just feels perfect. I've tried a few others of the exact same kind and they are all terrible. Somehow I just happened to find the one in a million, cheap, perfect, generic hammer.

 

[JKennedy]

Craftsman wood handled hammers are pretty nice, I have a ball pein and framing. I'd also look for a leather handled one those usually feel great in the hands.

 

[fury9]

Get one with a fiberglass handle or you'll most likeley be breaking a wood one in no time.The double headed nails are so you can pull them out, drive the nail down to the first head leave the second one out so you can pull it.

 

[Simplespeed]

I ended up with this one. I like the length because if i start the nail in the chock, i can reach up and wedge it against the pipe and give it a whack with the hammer without having to climb up on the trailer. Thats if i only have two layers of pipe but it would be a little bit of time saved. Plus less time walkin on pipe is lecc chance of an injury. Its 25oz, which is havier than i wanted but its not too bad. The only hammer i wanted more was called stiletto and was similar to this one but had a titanium head. I didnt feel like paying $70 for it though.

 

[dutchgray]

I ended up with this one. I like the length because if i start the nail in the chock, i can reach up and wedge it against the pipe and give it a whack with the hammer without having to climb up on the trailer. Thats if i only have two layers of pipe but it would be a little bit of time saved. Plus less time walkin on pipe is lecc chance of an injury. Its 25oz, which is havier than i wanted but its not too bad. The only hammer i wanted more was called stiletto and was similar to this one but had a titanium head. I didnt feel like paying $70 for it though.

Those Stilettos are nice but I prefer the Dalluge titanium ones if wood handled but only because those are still USA made (I have 4 titanium now, great if your using all day but overkill if your not)
Those Estwing sure strikes are great hammers, I have a little one for trim work but they are Taiwan made, which I know many are against.

 

[Simplespeed]

Yea i wanted usa made but couldnt find aything i liked. If i dont care much for this one ill keep it in my pickup as backup and continue the search. I need something by monday so not a lot of time for looking. Ill use it every day but not all day.

 

[pauls_workshop]

That Estwing is a good choice. The Dalluge I mentioned is real similar to that one, California Framer style. - Paul

 

[ez-duzit]

The Hart Framer is what I use for that kind of work.

 

[Simplespeed]

^see how that bottom of the handle curves down a bit? I love how that feels in the hand.

 

[ttpete]

^see how that bottom of the handle curves down a bit? I love how that feels in the hand.

Seeing that you have a wood handled hammer and are using some pretty hefty nails, I'd suggest that you also carry a medium size gooseneck wrecking bar for pulling those nails. You'll no doubt find a few other things to use it for.

 

[fourjeepin]

Another vote here for Estwing. Made in the USA, aren't prohibitively expensive, and are available at Home Depot.

 

[dj_110]

I prefer the Estwing with full metal handles and the cushion rubber grip. You don't have to worry about the handle breaking or cracking. I have a 18 oz rip claw and 20 oz. rip claw. I also prefer the smooth face as opposed to the waffle head. Those tend to make hamburger out of a finger or whatever else is nearby if you miss the intended target.

 

[Simplespeed]

So i got to swing this around a little bit last night. With the weight and handle length, this thing can drive a nail in one swing. Love it but it does get heavy pretty quickly.

 

[BFHtime]

I hate estwing hammers, they are not good for side pulling unless you want to make a pretzel. If you give a good hard swing, they get a harmonic vibration and elicit a high frequency ringing sound.

I really like stiletto hammers. I have an all titanium one with a replacable steel face. Titanium makes some serious sparks, but the light weight and increased swing speed is nice.

You really have to find a hammer that feels god to you.

Unless you are moving something heavy with a hammer the extra weight is not necessary. A good swing with a 16oz hammer can drive a nail home after a good set. For a quick highly available hammer I would suggest a Stanley 16oz straight claw. They are not expensive either. I would tour some hardware stores and swing some hammers to try to get a feel of how they would perform. A hammer is a tool you really have to try before you buy.

Different hammers have different balance as well as head design. For starting nail I to a 45 degree angle the magnetic starter may not effective.

 

[cheechi]

You can find framing hammers from 12oz (not a real framing hammer imo but they sell them) to 28oz and anywhere in between. The reason depends on who you ask. Some would say certian kinds of framing and nails you should use different ones. Others like me would say get one that is a comfortable (and therefore safe) size and weight.

You don't want something too light, making you put too much of your force behind it as that's dangerous and fatigue, and especially with hammers RSI's are common. You also don't want one too heavy as the opposite can happen. Then there's smooth vs milled faces.

Me personally. 20oz smooth face with rip claw. I also have a 28oz smooth face estwing with a rip claw that I like a lot but can't use for everything. For you, maybe a different size, face, and claw shape. Try a bunch in the store. I made the mistake of buying a bunch of cheap ones to try them and now have a bunch of cheap hammers all over the place. If you do need to buy a few buy good ones, they make better gifts.

 

[bart1]

Here is another brand of that style that's US made.

http://shophardcorehammers.com/

 

[KamiCrit]

This is what you want, one piece of forged steel for a hammer. No lose heads, no wood rot, no nothing, just one piece of forged steel. Same thing the cavemen used.

 

[BFHtime]

This is what you want, one piece of forged steel for a hammer. No lose heads, no wood rot, no nothing, just one piece of forged steel. Same thing the cavemen used.

Just don't side pull nails with it, or it will bend. Side pulling is the most effective way to take out tough nails with a hammer. Especially with longer nails where more range for pulling is needed. I majored in nail pulling through the school of hard knocks. This literately was my job when I was a boy and first starting working I was not too bad at it by age 8.

 

[dutchgray]

This is what you want, one piece of forged steel for a hammer. No lose heads, no wood rot, no nothing, just one piece of forged steel. Same thing the cavemen used.

Which is what I recommended earlier, perfect for the OP's requirements, you don't need to worry about the vibrations through the handle unless your using it continuously for more than a few hours every day, curved claws are so much better for pulling nails. I used one of these daily for 8 years for everything before I went titanium to save my arm. You can get heaver than 20oz but it'll drive 4" nails no problem.

 

[cgv69]

Estwing 20oz ripping (straight claw) hammer.

That has been my "got to" for the last 20 years. Here's mine after a recent cleaning...

 

[BFHtime]

Straight claw is better for pulling nails. I used to like the curved claw hammers, but found the straight is better.

 

[Simplespeed]

Now yall.got me wanting multiple hammers.