What Hammer?

[ItsNemo]

I'm putting together a mid-size service bag, something I can quickly grab when I go help a family/friend/neighbour and not have to raid my tool box for stuff. It will have the usual screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, gloves/safety, wrenches/sockets, measuring tape, pencil, etc. plus things like a small torpedo level, stud finder, zip ties, small kit of misc fasteners, knife, flashlight, multimeter, electrical tape, small flat prybar (for trim), and so forth. Basically, I want to be able to change a light fixture/switch, or hang a picture, or fix a toilet or faucet, or repair an appliance, or change an air filter on a car, or similar sort of household kind of things. I've taken a lot of my seconds for the bag or have been upgrading my primary tools and putting my old ones in the bag.

The one thing I'm having trouble picking is what sort of hammer to put in there. My two most used types at home are 12ish oz ball peen (I have 8, 12, 16, 24, 32oz ones, so whatever size I grab but usually the smaller ones) or a 3lb solid steel drilling hammer...but something keeps telling me I should put a standard 16oz claw hammer in this kit. I almost never use my claw hammer for anything, rare that I choose nails over screws, and will just use the drilling/peen hammer for most tapometer needs. I don't really want to put more than one hammer in there for weight/space reasons.

So what says everyone here? Any neat versatile hammers out there that give best of multiple worlds? Otherwise, the Estwing E3-16C is kinda the front runner for an upgrade and I'll put my old mastercraft claw hammer in the bag.

 

[Etchase]

I keep framing hammer around for demo and prying which I’m frequently doing in unplanned situations. Claws are pretty limited to removing nails.

 

[Toomanytools?]

I would go with a 16oz straight claw hammer, it will do most everything in the small to medium task.

 

[eejack]

I would go another direction. I carry an estwing pry bar which works great for thumping things and even better for disassembling things. It won't really do a great job of driving a nail, but that isn't what you claim to want it for anyway.

Estwing 12 in. Pro-Claw Nail Puller PC300G - The Home Depot

Estwing's popular 12 in. Japanese pattern design Pro Claw Nail Puller, is made with fine tool steel, drop forged and tempered for extra durability. Chrome finish and comfortable blue cushion grip. Both

www.homedepot.com

 

[ItsNemo]

I would go another direction. I carry an estwing pry bar which works great for thumping things and even better for disassembling things. It won't really do a great job of driving a nail, but that isn't what you claim to want it for anyway.

Estwing 12 in. Pro-Claw Nail Puller PC300G - The Home Depot

Estwing's popular 12 in. Japanese pattern design Pro Claw Nail Puller, is made with fine tool steel, drop forged and tempered for extra durability. Chrome finish and comfortable blue cushion grip. Both

www.homedepot.com

How good would that be for something like wire staples though?

 

[ecotec]

I do not ever use a traditional claw hammer… but I often use a Klein or Vaughan fiberglass handle rip claw hammer.

 

[Dave455]

It’s really difficult to come up with one bag of tools that’s suitable for so many tasks.

Although some tools are suitable for many tasks (screwdrivers for example) most others will be specific to automotive repair, or woodwork / property maintenance, with little crossover.

Hammers are much the same. In my automotive “road box” I have a 16oz ball pein, which is perfect for driving punches, but would be totally unsuitable (not hard enough) for driving nails.

I’ve recently put together a small box for these property maintenance tasks, and include a 12oz Estwing claw hammer, which seems just perfect. If I need to tackle bigger jobs I’m getting tools from my shop anyway.

 

[eejack]

How good would that be for something like wire staples though?

A good pair of dykes is better but I have removed lots of staples, both for things like carpets and for romex/mc staples with it. The two ends give you options for prying.

 

[ecotec]

Like jack said, diagonals are a better tool for removing electrical staples without doing damage to the wires under them.

 

[ItsNemo]

It’s really difficult to come up with one bag of tools that’s suitable for so many tasks.

Although some tools are suitable for many tasks (screwdrivers for example) most others will be specific to automotive repair, or woodwork / property maintenance, with little crossover.

Hammers are much the same. In my automotive “road box” I have a 16oz ball pein, which is perfect for driving punches, but would be totally unsuitable (not hard enough) for driving nails.

I’ve recently put together a small box for these property maintenance tasks, and include a 12oz Estwing claw hammer, which seems just perfect. If I need to tackle bigger jobs I’m getting tools from my shop anyway.

Oh for sure, I wouldn't be surprised if I have to grab a few specific tools depending on what I'm being asked to help with...but at least I could grab one bag and not have to spend 10 minutes raiding my tool boxes to get what I think I need, then having to go back and forth for that one more thing lol

Most of the automotive stuff I do will be in my garage, short of a flashlight and gloves to inspect something, I'm not doing much away from home on vehicles. I'm not going to drag a jack around or a full socket set in multiple drive sizes in this after all.

I bought the technicians bag I'm using for this for a trip to my Aunt's cottage where I was doing a bunch of odd jobs. It was super handy, but was all my favorite tools out of my main stuff, hence putting this together permanently as its own thing.

Like jack said, diagonals are a better tool for removing electrical staples without doing damage to the wires under them.

I've got side cutters and linesman in there already I definitely use them for removal...it's the installing side I need a tappy tappy device for.

 

[KnurledNut]

Sounds like most of the intended use is handyman tasks. Go with a straight claw hammer. I would go with 20 oz or higher.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Maybe it's my carpentry background but for general "handyman" stuff I tend to think of & use a 16oz straight claw... fiberglass.

At some point you'll have to drive nails... tiny finish nails... big framing nails... fence repair? Maybe ya gotta knock something apart?

Everyone should have a basic grab & go homeowner kinda bag... screwdrivers adjustable wrenches etc. Mine is setup around general carpentry & repairs. If I need to add more for a certain thing, especially power tools that'sa different bag filled out as needed.

 

[Dave455]

Oh for sure, I wouldn't be surprised if I have to grab a few specific tools depending on what I'm being asked to help with...but at least I could grab one bag and not have to spend 10 minutes raiding my tool boxes to get what I think I need, then having to go back and forth for that one more thing lol

Most of the automotive stuff I do will be in my garage, short of a flashlight and gloves to inspect something, I'm not doing much away from home on vehicles. I'm not going to drag a jack around or a full socket set in multiple drive sizes in this after all.

I bought the technicians bag I'm using for this for a trip to my Aunt's cottage where I was doing a bunch of odd jobs. It was super handy, but was all my favorite tools out of my main stuff, hence putting this together permanently as its own thing.



I've got side cutters and linesman in there already I definitely use them for removal...it's the installing side I need a tappy tappy device for.

I do sympathise. It’s actually quite difficult working away from base, and if you’re not careful you end up taking a 3 ton truck everywhere.

If it helps, this is what I’ve been putting together for property / household tasks. I started with some spare tools I had around, but have replaced a lot with more suitable ones.

Not shown are a load of misc bits like light bulbs, fuses, wire, glue, various tapes and various screws. Plus a small box with “decorating” tools such as scraper, filling knife, brushes etc.

Anything stainless or plated I find useful, hence the Knipex combo pliers (recent) and the Stainless Wera drivers. Hard handles are definitely preferable to soft, otherwise everything gets grubby. I do 90% with the fixed blade screwdrivers, but the plastic box has hex / torx / etc bits if needed.

Wooden handles get dinked up if you carry them too much, hence the Estwing, and the speed square replacing a traditional style. The folding saws are awesome. I’ll probably get a better / longer woodsaw, but the Milwaukee is great!

Will probably add a pliers wrench at some point.

 

[ItsNemo]

Maybe it's my carpentry background but for general "handyman" stuff I tend to think of & use a 16oz straight claw... fiberglass.

At some point you'll have to drive nails... tiny finish nails... big framing nails... fence repair? Maybe ya gotta knock something apart?

Everyone should have a basic grab & go homeowner kinda bag... screwdrivers adjustable wrenches etc. Mine is setup around general carpentry & repairs. If I need to add more for a certain thing, especially power tools that'sa different bag filled out as needed.

Yeah, power tools will definitely be separate...maybe a small 12v drill of some sort but the bag is already going to be fairly full with just general hand tools.

I'll do another thread when this gets closer to done about contents. I'm using one of these as the bag:

 

[ItsNemo]

Any links to the specific ripping hammers you guys like? 16oz vs 20+oz is there a preference?

 

[dutchgray]

16 or 20oz curved or straight claw hammer as per personal preference.
Myself always have a 20oz curved Estwing on hand for general duty.

 

[LeonardY]

My go to, is a Vaughan 16 oz, straight claw.

I set up a bag for my nephew. I put 20 oz Stanley straight claw in it. He loves it. He was using his fiance pink tools around the house.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Wooden handles get dinked up if you carry them too much, hence the Estwing, and the speed square replacing a traditional style. The folding saws are awesome. I’ll probably get a better / longer woodsaw, but the Milwaukee is great!

That Milwaukee hand saw that tales sawzall blades is the ****. Have one too love it total game changer.

My basic bag isn't much more then what you pictured... Add hex keys, Channelocks & needle nose... adjustable wrench... small pry bars... stud finder!

I'd stick to 16oz hammer over the 20 for general use. My main framing hammer is a 23oz Vaughan...

 

[Clutchsmoke]

I would say any Vaughan or Eastwing MIUSA claw hammer which feels right in your hand. I have an affinity for Vaughan.

 

[Dave455]

That Milwaukee hand saw that tales sawzall blades is the ****. Have one too love it total game changer.

My basic bag isn't much more then what you pictured... Add hex keys, Channelocks & needle nose... adjustable wrench... small pry bars... stud finder!

I'd stick to 16oz hammer over the 20 for general use. My main framing hammer is a 23oz Vaughan...

Yep, they’re great!

One of the things I always seem to need is a saw, but regular saws are a real pain to carry.

Isn’t it strange though, that so many companies spend so much on research and design, but no one made such a simple but effective folding hacksaw before Milwaukee. I don’t use it much on metal, but it’s perfect for cutting plastic trunking or plastic waste pipe.

The wood saw is a Silky. I use it a lot but it’s a little short. I’ll probably replace it with a larger Silky, or perhaps one of these Gyokucho folders. I think they are about the best for wood saws.

 

[vwpieces]

I would go with a 20oz ish smooth face framing hammer.
Also suggest one of those basic sub-$10 pry bars. This one is $5 at wally world.

 

[Toolfool]

Then you'll need this bag to carry all that stuff, and it will : https://www.toolnut.com/veto-xxl-f-...m_term=4578984923217721&utm_content=Catch All

 

[Jlanciani]

Ive had an Estwing E20S in my travel bag for over 25 years and Ive never wished for anything different.

 

[southalabama]

The title to one of Adam Savages books is

Everything is a Hammer.

Used a pair of Kleins today as a hammer.

 

[ItsNemo]

Well, here's what we're going with...16oz ripping hammer. I wasn't looking for Dewalt specifically, but found it on sale for a good price, is an all steel (which I prefer to fiberglass or wood handles), so went with it.

 

[Ton ton]

I appreciate the nail puller on the side of the " claw".

 

[Ton ton]

Framing / claw hammers never get the proper attention they deserve on garage journal.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I've done a lot of consideration recently for similar purposes and what I've come up with is:

9.5" 16oz to 20oz Linesman Pliers is my primary handyman hammer using the side of the pliers as the strike face

Also in the portable kit is a rubber mallet for wacking stuff in a non-marring way

In my car at all times is a 3 pound drilling hammer. I won't bring the drilling hammer inside unless it's needed.

I have only rarely found myself needing to pull nails and I use pliers

 

[Beerhippie]

You mention a small flat bar for removing trim. If you're planning to reuse it, a pair of end-cutters are perfect for pulling nails/brads out of the backside of the trim, which leaves a clean hole with no tear-out. They're also useful as nippers.

I've been using these for that purpose for years:

 

[N8sToolz]

This has been my latest form factor for my evolving grab bag. Installing fixtures, small diag, ( there's a multimeter in there somewhere), I've done carb cleanings and installed trim out of this. It rides for pretty much any job, even when I grab one of the other larger kits I've assembled.

I prefer the rip style hammers and my main ones ride in the carpentry kit. I can drive small punches and I can stab holes with the claw when needed, this happen to be on sale and I think I paid less than $10 for it.

The biggest limitation that I run into is not having all the hardware needed to complete a task. O rings, or screws, fitting wirenut etc... that can be frustrating.

 

[dutchgray]

Well, here's what we're going with...16oz ripping hammer. I wasn't looking for Dewalt specifically, but found it on sale for a good price, is an all steel (which I prefer to fiberglass or wood handles), so went with it.

I have been meaning to get one of these but in 20 or 22oz to see what they are like.

 

[mike93lx]

Well, here's what we're going with...16oz ripping hammer. I wasn't looking for Dewalt specifically, but found it on sale for a good price, is an all steel (which I prefer to fiberglass or wood handles), so went with it.

That's the one I was going to recommend. I have it and it's bigger brother and find I grab the 16 almost all the time.

Dammit... Post is a year and a half old.

How are you liking it?

 

[ItsNemo]

That's the one I was going to recommend. I have it and it's bigger brother and find I grab the 16 almost all the time.

Dammit... Post is a year and a half old.

How are you liking it?

It's been fairly decent, no real complaints...doesn't see a ton of use but it smacks things alright lol

I never did update the thread, but here's what's in the bag:

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I never did update the thread, but here's what's in the bag:

Cool video! I have a few recommendations.

Consider scrapping most of the screwdrivers for. multi-bit driver. I dont love 1/4" bits for most things, but there's a lot of 6-in-1 screwdrivers on the market. Tekton is one of my favorites at the moment

Multi-Bit Drivers | TEKTON | Molded in USA

Buy pre-assembled 6-in-1 driver and bits, 3-in-1 stubby driver and bits, or build your own. Handle molded in the USA.

www.tekton.com

You can get a full size driver and a stubby driver, and then buy a full set of the bit shanks separately. They will be more secure and less flimsy than regular 1/4" small bits. You'll have to do some math to figure out which bits to get.

The central shank holder on the regular handle bit driver has a 5/16" side and a 1/4" side. They make two different types of double-end bits, one for 5/16 and one for 1/4 with some overlap of what sizes appear on each, to give you options.

The stubby only takes 1/4

So you want to do some math and calculate how to get al of the sizes you want in the fewest bits with no overlap.

I'd replace your hammer with this Knipex Hammer end pincher tool which is made for hammering on the side.:

https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pincers-and-nippers/carpenters'-pincers/carpenters-end-cutting-pliers/5101210

I'd streamline your socket set to remove overlapping SAE and Metric sizes to save some weight. You're not doing highly precise work out of that kit where 0.13mm difference between 11mm and 7/16" will impact the outcome.

For this style of general purpose minimalist kit I'd go:

• 8mm
• 9mm
• 3/8"
• 10mm
• 11mm
• 12mm
• 1/2"
• 13mm
• 14mm
• 9/16
• 15mm
• 16mm
• 17mm
• 11/16"
• 18mm
• 19mm

The knipex pliers wrench as you mention in the video is a great addition.