Stop...Hammer time!

[zx2slow]

So due to an Unfortunate Turn of Events™ my hammers are gone. Missing quite a few tools actually, anyhoo.

I need a set of ball pein hammers, as well as a rubber mallet or two. I saw a deal on a craftsman set with hickory handles and then there is the harbor freight set.

Can anyone recommend a set of nice hammers? Also a set of rubber mallets that's made of nice material that wont disintegrate?

 

[iroc409]

I have some of the Craftsman ones, and they are pretty nice. They are made by Estwing or Vaughn--I can't remember which. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more.

 

[JJThrasher]

The HF ones work. Craigslist is a good place to get good hammers cheap.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TwoInch]

i have a couple craftsman hickory handles and they are fine, and i believe are lifetime warranty also. i prefer wooden handles on tools of that nature.

i have a HF ball peen too, terrible handle, and balanced poorly. the ball end is shaped terribly, and not good for actual peening anything really. had to tighten the head after about 30 whacks.

pawn shops are great for $1 hammers, even if they need rehandled, you can find some nice old ball peens, cross peens, and small sledge types.

 

[crewchief888]

i picked up a few HF hammers for home use.

heads loosened up on every one after a very short time.

 

[fatfillup]

Harry Epstiens had a nice selection of Vaughn hammers that are cosmetic seconds at some good pricing recently. They are marked Grayvick I think.

Here's a link to a page of hammers, not the exact one I was looking for, but a place to start. Great people!!
http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Hammers.html

 

[jeffmoss26]

It's time for my daily preaching of the Epstein's gospel. but you beat me to it!!
I have ordered several hammers from them, even some special order stuff from Vaughan.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Flea markets and yard sales will yield the best results for your buck. I bought about 15 hammers of all different styles and sizes (autobody, ball pein, claw etc.) for $10 a few weeks ago.

 

[turbowoodworker]

No on the HF hammers. I just got one in an auction grab bag. Clearly HF, but the face is mushroomed like a bad cold chisel. That sight told me that hammers are not HF specialty.
I should post a pic but I'm too lazy.

 

[RCStocker]

Stay away form HF. The heads re not rounded or flat like they should be for the style of hammer. The handles come loose and they are really not good.
Sears is good. I have 30 ball peen hammers and I have one C man that I bought new 45 years ago. It is great quality. See what Lowe's, or Home Depot carry. There are other tool brands that are very good. Look on the internet and see what you can find. Cheap ones will come back to haunt you.

 

[woody 73]

i picked up a few HF hammers for home use.

heads loosened up on every one after a very short time.

Good advise...On the other hand the HF orange dead blow hammers are a fantastic good deal and they can dish out the abuse and come back for more abuse day in and day out!

Craftsman
Vaughn
Dead on
Estwing
thor
dalluge
big blue
hunter
rocket

All fantastic hammers!

 

[stonesfan68]

Trusty-Cook makes very good hammers. They make them for Armstrong. Snap-On, SK, Estwing and others.

http://www.trustycook.com/about.php

The 5-pack hammer set from Sears is a good buy, too.

Sears Item# 00938074000

 

[Jack Olsen]

I've had no problems with my HF or Craftsman hammers. It depends on what you're doing with them, of course. But for me, a hammer is a pretty simple tool.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've seen WAY too many mushroomed heads and split/damaged handles on Chicom hammers at yard sales to recommend them. Conversely I've bought MANY old North American/European iron that has plenty of life left, despite clear heavy use...

 

[gsmornot]

Harry Epstiens had a nice selection of Vaughn hammers that are cosmetic seconds at some good pricing recently. They are marked Grayvick I think.

Here's a link to a page of hammers, not the exact one I was looking for, but a place to start. Great people!!
http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Hammers.html

I have bought from these guys several times and had excellent service every time. I have bought many of my Vaughn hammers from them.

 

[zx2slow]

Thanks everyone.

I went with the craftsman hickory handled hammers, with coupons I got a set of 4 ball pein + 1 rubber/plastic for ~$40. I don't have a project that needs them now, but you never know when something needs clobberin'