What hammer to use ???

[bratwurst]

Just wondering what hammer you guys use for a punch and chisel in the automotive industry or metal industry.

 

[ItsNemo]

Ball Peen usually assuming just a standard tool steel punch.

 

[SGKent]

Ball peen, (or 2 lb sledge if a big chisel, and safety glasses. Keep the ends of the punch / chisel clean with a grinder once in a while when they start to flare over so pieces don't come off like bullet. ER rooms see lots of visits of men hit with shrapnel when driving mauls, chisels etc., as the ends flare, Ask me how I know.

 

[techieman33]

It depends on what I'm hitting and how hard I want to hit it. I use a little 4oz engineers hammer for small delicate stuff. Also have a couple different sizes of ball peen hammers for general use stuff. Then there's a brass hammer for use with the brass punches when I don't want to hurt what I'm hitting.

 

[Shiftless]

And don’t use a claw hammer to strike hardened steel surfaces. If a chip flys off of the hammer head, it can hurt you.

Use a ball peen hammer. That’s what they’re there for.

Safety glasses can save your eyesight. THEY DID FOR ME!


.

 

[bratwurst]

What’s a good weight for the ball peen hammer, like a 16oz for common use ?

 

[xela456]

What’s a good weight for the ball peen hammer, like a 16oz for common use ?

16 is good for all around use. For me it is a good weight for a constant hammering where a 20 would hurt my elbow. Vaughn makes a great wood handle ballpeen I've still got my first one I've had for years!

 

[Sugarfryz]

What’s a good weight for the ball peen hammer, like a 16oz for common use ?

Depends on what you’re doing. Light work 16 oz is fine. Here in the rust belt I mainly use a 40 oz ball peen for auto work. I have a 4lb sledge for when things are serious. If you’re just driving a punch I usually use my 16 oz

 

[1cargarage]

I use a 2lb brass mallet / drilling hammer for 90% of hammer & punch jobs. 4-5lb single jack for bigger ones.

 

[Bacon!]

16 is good for all around use. For me it is a good weight for a constant hammering where a 20 would hurt my elbow. Vaughn makes a great wood handle ballpeen I've still got my first one I've had for years!

I love my old Vaughn 20oz, and also have a C-Man ~10(?)oz. You can get away with using a claw hammer for punches if you use a cheap one with minimal hardening. If you see nail head impacts on the head, it's probably soft enough. Harbor Freight sledge hammers are also "plenty" soft to use, lol. Even so, eye protection!

 

[Dave455]

A regular ball pein hammer is the tool you need!

The face of a ball pein hammer will be harder than the haft of a punch or chisel, but not as hard as a carpenters hammer, so there is no risk of chips. Also, the face will be flat, or even slightly concave, whereas some carpenters hammmers have slightly convex faces!

I use 8oz and 16oz the most. Probably use one or the other for 90% of jobs. I tend to use the 8oz more for general metalwork (centre punching etc) or for punching small pins. The 16oz wins for automotive. I also have 12oz, 2lb and 3lb.

Being a Brit, most of mine are British brands, though I have a couple of Vaughan hammers and they are superb. If I was in the U.S. I wouldn’t look further than Vaughan or Estwing. Both superb makers, and reasonable prices.

Worth thinking about the handle material. For use at base, I generally prefer a traditional wooden handle. They don’t come loose if you get one from a decent maker, the balance is good, and they absorb some shock. If you travel with tools in a box though, they need to be well protected, so one of the one piece steel designs might be a better choice. I prefer glass fibre or composite though, as they absorb the shock better.

For heavy punching, a dead blow hammer with a hard face is the newest concept, and I have to say these are the most comfortable option to use. If you’re doing a lot, probably the only option. I probably wouldn’t use one for centre punching etc though!

 

[Bondo]

Just wondering what hammer you guys use for a punch and chisel in the automotive industry or metal industry.

Ayuh,..... An air hammer,...... Brrrrp,.....

 

[DFB]

Ayuh,..... An air hammer,...... Brrrrp,.....

 

[Trucky]

Lots of swing space.. nothing to hit around me: 16, 24, or 32 oz. ball pein

Not much space... more delicate things... 3 lb. drilling hammer. or a smaller ball pein.

OK this thing is ******* me off-level of punching application: I use a 4 lb. dead blow with a steel face and a long handle (or 4 lb. engineers hammer) ... and some brave soul to hold the punch or drift holder. Never take a macho swing like that with someones hand directly on the punch or chisel.

 

[bdbecker]

What’s a good weight for the ball peen hammer, like a 16oz for common use ?

If you are only buying one, pick whatever feels right to you. Eventually you are going to want a set. A decent set for the money is the 6 piece Grayvik from HJE.

https://www.harryepstein.com/grayvik-usa-redhandled-ballpein-hammer-set.html

I purchased this set during Epstien Day last year and have been surprised at how much I use the different weights depending on the job at hand. The quality of the hammers themselves isn't as nice as some other brands, but its not bad either - definitely a fair price for what you get.

 

[txvwnut]

If I’m hitting a punch or chisel I use my brass deadblow. If I’m asking something to move or change it’s shape then I just use what ever hammer is appropriate for the task. Thin sheet I’ll grab a body hammer, heavier stuff the ball peens get called up for the task.

 

[PelicanPines]

If I'm hitting a tool into something ... I use a drilling hammer... aka 3-5 pound pounder.

Ball peen hammers are for hitting the product not the tool... according to a machinist friend.

 

[larry_g]

I have from 2 oz to 20 pound hammers. Are you working on a watch or a crawler tractor, ( I do both) ? So the correct hammer is the one appropriate for the job. For metal work (?) are you referring to body work, machining work, fabricating, blacksmiths, or something else? You will find each trade/skill set will have hammers for the work being done. There is a reason there are so many forms of hammers, some very specialized.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[lardy1]

I bought all my ball pein hammers used. USA brands in very good shape for chump change. If you have the luxury of time. I just used what I had and improved/expanded over time.

 

[sqyards]

vaughan half hatchet.. its all i use I use it for everything for the last 28 years.

 

[bratwurst]

I ended up buying a 24oz blue point ball peen hammer of eBay for 25$

 

[bratwurst]

Here is a picture

 

[SGKent]

Looking at Vaughn sets, the handle color appears different than the individual hammers although both the individual and sets say hickory. I've been using a single no-name ball peen for sometime after giving up on finding good used ones in CL, at the swap meet, and local yard sales. I am wondering if the handles on the Vaughn set is as good as the handle on the individual hammers? I hate replacing handles on tools because it is such a pain to find good ones anymore. The stores would rather sell you a whole cheap Asian knockoff than a quality made American handle. Anyone have a quality American set they bought recently?

 

[Dutch01]

Ummmm reading this thread it seems like using a hammer is very scientific . The hammer I use is normally the 1st one I lay hands on

 

[SeisMec]

The face of a ball pein hammer will be harder than the haft of a punch or chisel, but not as hard as a carpenters hammer, so there is no risk of chips. Also, the face will be flat, or even slightly concave

Here in the U.S. only really cheap/crappy ball-peens have flat faces. Hi-quality ball-peens are very mildly crowned/convex as are the anvil ends of punches and chisels. This assures that force is applied very near the center of the anvil end. I'd guess that a concave head would be even better at achieving the same goal. (But harder to machine?)

 

[Mgdoug3]

Depending on the job, 8 oz to 20 ball pein hammer. I picked up an old Bluepoint BP8 cheap at a flea market and it surprised me how useful it is.

If I need to beat on something, I have a 2 lb dead blow, short handle 2 lb sledge and a 5 lb sledge.

 

[speed bump]

If you really want to be precise in your hammering a ball peen hammer is for beating metal (there are something like 5 different peening hammers). A drilling hammer is for driving a hand steel. An engineers hammer is for beating.

Personally I just grab whatever steel faced hammer is close and has sufficient mass to do the job.

 

[2oolhound]

Agree with most posts here. Ball peens come up to 48 oz. and it's nice to have several different sizes on hand. Even the baby ones are handy for some things.
You're off to a good start now.

 

[Dave455]

Here in the U.S. only really cheap/crappy ball-peens have flat faces. Hi-quality ball-peens are very mildly crowned/convex as are the anvil ends of punches and chisels. This assures that force is applied very near the center of the anvil end. I'd guess that a concave head would be even better at achieving the same goal. (But harder to machine?)

You’re right!

The U.S. hammers that I own have a noticeably convex face.

The British ones, even the ones I thought were flat, also have a convex face, but it seems to be much less pronounced. I’ve just put a square over a couple to check!

I assume this is due to differences in national standards!

 

[Bacon!]

They're also convex because it's practically impossible to strike with a hammer at an exact 90' angle in both dimensions, every time. Flat increases the odds of bent nails and mashed fingers.

 

[MANelson85]

Here is a picture

Looks like a Vaughan.

 

[ZRX61]

I have BP's from 4oz to 32oz, everyone should have a 16 & 24. I think Horrible Fright sell a set of 4 or 5.

 

[ZRX61]

ah ha! Tekton from Home Cheapo:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-...VltJkCh1RNQy7EAQYBSABEgIqlfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


Vaughans with wooden handles:
https://www.jbtools.com/vaughan-187...MIyO_Tytfc6AIVEcNkCh1DGAiPEAkYBiABEgKYC_D_BwE

 

[ZRX61]

They tend to multiply... & be sure to keep them free of dings etc...

 

[RTM]

I get handles for almost everything from House Handle. Buying several cuts the pain of postage on just one or two.