B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Does anyone know the model number or what estwing actually called it?
Odd Estwing Hammer
- Thread starter Farmall 1066
- Start date
Notorious BRT
Well-known member
E3-28GM appears to be the model. It seems to be a variation of the 28oz milled face framing hammer which is model E3-28SM.
Notorious BRT
Well-known member
I just emailed Estwing asking about the hammer in question. I will report back as soon as I receive a reply.
Notorious BRT
Well-known member
Estwing's reply:
Well . . . . Farmall1066 . . . . . .
. . . we NEED a PIC of your hammer that completed the quest !!
I've only seen one "in the wild" myself but it's been several decades ago.
Cool find that now will be on my mind at Garage/Estate sales !!
. . . we NEED a PIC of your hammer that completed the quest !!
I've only seen one "in the wild" myself but it's been several decades ago.
Cool find that now will be on my mind at Garage/Estate sales !!
Interesting, Quack, i've never seen one. Something to look for at the flea markets. I do have a Estwing framing hammer, plastic handle, great used condition. Some people think Estwing equals money regardless, I saw one in pawn shop that the guy wanted $20 for. It had been used professionally and was beat to pieces including the claws worn out. Last I noticed it was still there.
KEH
KEH
Not an Estwing, but here's a very similar hammer - Cheney #777 Adz Hammer:
http://jtc.net/hchc/777/
US Patent 1,517,043 issued Nov. 25, 1924
http://jtc.net/hchc/777/
US Patent 1,517,043 issued Nov. 25, 1924
Attachments
PBCampbell
Well-known member
A crating hammer makes sense. Good link DenisG. I vaguely remember something similar but a mason's hammer with a key hole for pulling duplex nails in formwork.
OP
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
I'll try to grab a pic in the next day or so.
Mine's definitely had a hard life....but for $5, I wasn't going to pass it up.
Mine's definitely had a hard life....but for $5, I wasn't going to pass it up.
Yes, I tried looking for something like a combination masonry and framing (or rip) hammer. The pry end does look like a masonry type.
OP
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
OP
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
John Schacht
New member
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- Jan 8, 2022
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- 1
This hammer is a form hammer for concrete forms to put up and tear down wooden and iron forms I bought mine new in 1976 still have it
Ton ton
Well-known member
Cool hammer thread. I have never seen a closed claw hammer like the OP bought. I appreciate claw hammer threads because they are somewhat rare on garage journal. I did see a leather handle steel shank Estwing @ Lowe's this week.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
This one is on its way to a new owner in Florida 
shortykorte
Well-known member
How’d you get my address?This one is on its way to a new owner in Florida
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
How’d you get my address?
Maybe John will let you look at it. Just don’t try to touch it. You haven’t been checked out on safe use and operation of this model yet.
Last edited:
Josh_Stokley
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- Jan 25, 2025
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- 4
I have one of these hammers and looking on this page was the only way to get info on it they are beyond rare now eastwing now don't have any record on them now really cool hammerWell . . . . Farmall1066 . . . . . .
. . . we NEED a PIC of your hammer that completed the quest !!
I've only seen one "in the wild" myself but it's been several decades ago.
Cool find that now will be on my mind at Garage/Estate sales !!
woody 73
Well-known member
Sigh another one to add to my list, you guys are killing me.
Josh_Stokley
New member
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- Jan 25, 2025
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Was just touching base on the subject to see if anyone was still looking for this hammerSigh another one to add to my list, you guys are killing me.
Josh_Stokley
New member
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- Jan 25, 2025
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Very few around
dutchgray
Well-known member
I have one as well except mine is an E328S or smooth face varient.
I believe it's actually called a Safe T Shape as that's what's molded into the nylon handle..
I believe it's actually called a Safe T Shape as that's what's molded into the nylon handle..
Josh_Stokley
New member
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- Jan 25, 2025
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Okay that's what this one was also but thanks it's been fun learning about ESTWING a little more ether way
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Chain letter from a Nigerian Prince.How’d you get my address?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Well, by the eighties, the hammer on the right was marketed and used as a California Stand-up Framer:If you weren't walking the plate in your Laguna swim trunks in the 60's and 70's here in SoCal, then don't tell me what framers used originally. Standard uniform was 6" boots, swim trunks, long hair and 3 leather bags, one of each side and a big *** one in back. Nothing in front; that's East Coast. Along with the ax hung out back as well so the long handle always hits you in the back of the knee.
No nail guns, Skillsaws only with the guard not blocked, but clean off the saw and a 20' cord with a twist lock. Right down to the leather laces on the boots.
The uniform.
Oh, and you're right about the brand. Not Plumb, but I couldn't find a pic of a Vaughn ax. In fact, I think we bought Vaughn handles for the rigging head.
24" Axe Handle.
These by Hart. The little one was my finish hammer.
I've walked more than a few plates with 40 lb of harness and a Skil 77. I wised up and made a shoulder holster for the big framer as it would get tangled between my legs if worn on the belt. I was the fastest draw on the jobsite.
shortykorte
Well-known member
I’m thoroughly vetted and certified on all hammers. If it smashes fingers or toes, I’m ready.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
We called that, appropriately, a framing hatchet. Kinda lost it's utility when balloon framing went out of style. They saw a lot of use inletting rim joists into the standing studs.This is a California framer:
A lot of times framers would put a 20' handle on them. The ax head wasn't needed. It was just there for balance and weight. I've been a carpenter for over 40 years and have never seen the Eastwing described.
The cool Eastwings have leather handles.
Story I heard is that someone on a Cali framing crew decided to re-forge the blade into ripping claws, thus inventing the California Framer.
I know the hatchet as a 'rigger's axe'. I have a vaughan, it actually doesn't drive nails terribly well, compared to a vaughan california framer of the same weight. I've seen a rigger's axe modified by cutting the axe blade off and arc welding on a pair of claws, which seems more likely than forging the blade into claws. the whole thing looked sloppier than if I'd done it. (and i'm ****** stick welder....)
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Yeah, maybe that was the story and I got it confused with the origin story of the Pulaski....
I've heard them called "rigger's axes", too. I've had a demo from an old guy I used to work with when we were remodeling a balloon-frame house where he used it to chop out the inlets for the rim band of the second floor. I used my Skilsaw and chisel.
Can you imagine trying to find thirty-foot, straight 2X4 for framing the gable ends of a two-story balloon-frame these days?
yes, and it's easy: you get a laminated-strand 2x4 or 2x6. straight as an arrow. 30' is probably special order from all but the biggest yards, but it's a standard size.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Back when these ballooners were built around here, there were at least four lumber mills right here in the county, and old-growth timber to get straight sticks from.
Balloon-frame was a matter of convenience. Modern framing is better for many reasons.
If you want to see some real funky construction, a lot of the millworkers took home "shorts" to build their own homes with "crib stack" construction. Solid, stacked 2X4 walls. Run plumbing and electrical in those!
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Had a neighbor that claimed his brother built a barn out of laminated 2x's laid flat. Apparently a lumber train derailed on the back side of his property and he was able to salvage a bunch of it.