What Hammers For the Homeowner?

[Dynasty]

What types of hammers should the DIY type homeowner have on hand at all times?

Would a basic claw hammer (what weight?), a small ball peen, and a sledgehammer (what weight?) do the trick?

Any recommendations on brands?

Thanks for your help.

 

[woody 73]

Let me see you will need a hammer for Monday...
You will need a hammer for Tuesday...
One for Wednesday...
Another for Thursday..
Not forgetting Friday..
Of course one for Saturday..
And let us not forget one for Sunday.

Does that answer your question?

 

[dr_clyde]

I would think a 16oz framing/claw hammer a medium weight dead blow mallet and a 3 lb drilling hammer would handle most things.

If you really felt the need, a 12 lb sledge would be nice for busting out concrete patios and stuff like that.

 

[Rileysan]

Let me see you will need a hammer for Monday...
You will need a hammer for Tuesday...
One for Wednesday...
Another for Thursday..
Not forgetting Friday..
Of course one for Saturday..
And let us not forget one for Sunday.

Does that answer your question?

This really doesn't come close to meeting the average homeowner's needs - I might use 4 or 5 different hammers on each of those days!

All joking aside, there's no such thing as too many different hammers. As far as claw (framing) hammers are concerned, there is no better brand than Estwing - 20oz -24oz. They are expensive, but will last forever. Personally, I would ignore all the gimmicky anti-vibe hammers. The handles simply don't last.

A good ball peen hammer with a WOOD handle in a couple sizes are nice (8oz, 16oz, and 24oz), and a 3lb sledge will round off a good selection of hammers for the average homeowner.

I would recommend dropping by any thrift store in your area and browse their tool & hardware section. I almost always find ball peens for sale for $2-$3/ea

Brian

 

[hancock1701]

A good ball peen hammer with a WOOD handle in a couple sizes are nice (8oz, 16oz, and 24oz), and a 3lb sledge will round off a good selection of hammers for the average homeowner.

Brian

Is there a reason why you recommend Wood but not Fiberglass handle or other type of handle (is there any beside those 2)?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[velillen01]

For the average homeowner? They could most likely just get away with a claw hammer.

As for me i owned just a small ~8oz claw hammer, a larger like 20oz claw hammer, and a rubber mallet for the longest time. Got me by for around the house chores.

But ive expanded quite a bit as i get more in automotive work. I now have a couple different deadblows and ball peens.

 

[fivespdcat]

The most used hammers at my house are some form of claw hanger, mid size ball peen and a dead blow. The dead blow may be one of the most important nowadays considering all the assembly of furniture and other goods that require some persuasion without damage.

 

[PoorOwner]

I just had a claw hammer and a deadblow and I worked on cars. Expanded since then.
I didn't know what a ball peen hammer was, actually what does the ball side do?

 

[Rileysan]

Is there a reason why you recommend Wood but not Fiberglass handle or other type of handle (is there any beside those 2)?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Ball peen hammers tend to be the most used, if not abused hammers in a home shop and even the most accurate user is going to let lose an errant swing that will damage the handle. A damaged wood handle will give a little (read: dent) before breaking. A damaged fiberglass handle will splinter - which will render it virtually useless. Once a wood handle is broken, you can easily replace it for a few bucks. No such luck with fiberglass handles. And even if you wanted to replace a fiberglass handle with a wood handle, you have a lot of work to do in order to clean the epoxy out of the hammer head - you'll want to throw the hammer away after a few minutes

Just my 2 cents.

edit: There's also various types of steel handles - most of which are hallow, pressed-in handles that are poorly made. Estwing makes cast hammers that are really well made, but expensive.
Brian

 

[ez-duzit]

I would start off with:

medium claw
heavy framer
4lb single jack
sledge

Later you can add:

plastic tipped
ball pein
dead blow
tack
rubber mallet

 

[danwolfgang]

I'm tempted to say that the sizes of your hammers are more important than the type. For years I made use of a tiny ball peen (8 oz? Maybe smaller?) and a 20 oz claw. The tiny ball peen was great for control and delicate work -- I never used it for its intended purpose, but the small head and light weight made it the perfect tool for some jobs.

I'd say a small and large claw are essential (8-12 oz and 20 oz?) and a set of deadblows (perhaps roughly 1, 2, and 3 pound?).

 

[mrvm]

Stick with some of the hammer brand names mentioned already. I'm leery of some of the lower quality imported hammers that have questionable quality control. Swinging a hammer with a loose head never ends well.

 

[Carves]

Opened my hammer drawer after seeing this thread ,

... and the ones on top of the pile, are a,

20oz Claw,
24oz Ball Pein,
2.5lb Club,

... and a cheapy, 10ozish, interchangeable head, nylon/brass/rubber, hammer
... for the delicate jobs ..

 

[theoldwizard1]

16 oz claw (20 oz "California Framers" are just to big for anything but framing. Guys who swing that all day must have amazing "guns")
24 oz ball pein
4 lb dead blow
4 lb Engineer's hammer (similar to a drilling hammer with a longer handle)
10 lb fiberglass sledge
8 lb fiberglass maul

 

[georgiadave]

I think a white rubber mallet, a straight rip 20 ounce, and a 3 pound drilling hammer would handle most chores, though not optimum for some. White rubber does not leave marks when striking surfaces.

 

[ganymede]

I just had a claw hammer and a deadblow and I worked on cars. Expanded since then.
I didn't know what a ball peen hammer was, actually what does the ball side do?

The peen is for shaping metal. Blacksmithing, machine shop, fabrication stuff.

 

[Jeremy77]

To me "Estwing" is the "Snap On" of the framing/claw hammer world. For a homeowner, an Estwing 16 or 20 oz. claw hammer will last a lifetime. Pay the extra $ and never look back. Craftsman branded hammers are rebadged Vaughn, which is also a top notch hammer. All of my ball peins are Craftsman. An 8oz. and maybe a 16oz. will serve the majority of homeowners well. I also prefer to keep a 3lb. drilling hammer handy for when that extra "heft" is needed. Estwing makes a very nice, one piece, steel version with a nylon grip or the Craftsman wood handled works nicely as well. Another option to consider is a good rubber mallet. I've got both the regular and non marring ones made by Estwing. In my opinion, a hammer is akin to a ratchet.....Buy the best quality one that you can afford.

 

[drink]

What types of hammers should the DIY type homeowner have on hand at all times?

Would a basic claw hammer (what weight?), a small ball peen, and a sledgehammer (what weight?) do the trick?

Any recommendations on brands?

Thanks for your help.

Personally I really like a good 16 oz claw hammer. In the past I could swing one all day and not get tired. It really depends on what the DIY'er is doing. So far I am thinking the average homeowner would do okay with just a claw hammer.

If they are doing stuff like splitting fire wood then I would recommend a sledge hammer with some wedges to make short work out of splitting wood. A ball pein hammer fits inside a tool box a lot better than a claw hammer.

If they don't split wood I would say both a 16 oz claw hammer and either a 12 oz or 16 oz ball pein hammer. A 12 oz would make the tool box lighter.

 

[MDK22]

Before people go Craftsman yuk they are made by Vaughan. They tend to have a better coating on the handle that lasts longer then the Vaughan and the stain is more aesthetically pleasing to me. Only reason I didn't use their framing hammer is I doubt the accuracy of its length and the curved handle is nice to protect you hand when you are nailing stuff.

Vaughan Model # CF2HC 19 oz. California Framer Framing Hammer with Curved Handle

Craftsman 3-Pound Hand-Drilling Hammer with Hickory Handle

Craftsman 24 oz. Rubber Mallet

Jackson 1199400 12-Pound Double Faced Sledge Hammer with 36-Inch Hickory Handle also known as Ames True Temper

As far as hammers go that should take care of everything you need. People say ballpeens all the time but, I have yet to find a real reason for needing one. Most people are not shaping metal which is what the rounded ball is for is to peen over metal.

If you really feel the need to get one for god knows what reason Craftsman 16 oz. Ball Pein Hammer

 

[drink]

I have a variety of brand name hammers with different weights and head styles to do work with. Straight claw, curved claw, steel, wood, hollow, etc. Some people really go for the high dollar fancy brand names. After doing stuff like climbing up the walls, onto roofs, working in the blazing heat, or freezing cold, I still like the way my plain 16 oz curved claw hammer fit in my tool belt. It did the job as needed regardless if I was hitting large or small fasteners.

 

[Jeremy77]

Before people go Craftsman yuk they are made by Vaughan. They tend to have a better coating on the handle that lasts longer then the Vaughan and the stain is more aesthetically pleasing to me. Only reason I didn't use their framing hammer is I doubt the accuracy of its length and the curved handle is nice to protect you hand when you are nailing stuff.

Vaughan Model # CF2HC 19 oz. California Framer Framing Hammer with Curved Handle

Craftsman 3-Pound Hand-Drilling Hammer with Hickory Handle

Craftsman 24 oz. Rubber Mallet

Jackson 1199400 12-Pound Double Faced Sledge Hammer with 36-Inch Hickory Handle also known as Ames True Temper

As far as hammers go that should take care of everything you need. People say ballpeens all the time but, I have yet to find a real reason for needing one. Most people are not shaping metal which is what the rounded ball is for is to peen over metal.

If you really feel the need to get one for god knows what reason Craftsman 16 oz. Ball Pein Hammer

Ball Peins are better than claw hammers, not just for shaping metal but also for hitting punches, cold chisels etc. Definitely not a necessity for a lot of people but handy at times.

 

[ez-duzit]

I have the Hart wood handled framer. And have had a Great Neck curved claw hammer with fiberglass handle for many years.

 

[MDK22]

I use my drilling hammer to hit my punches/chisels when I am at work.

I don't know why anyone would use something so light with such a long handle to hit a punch. You want mass to hit them and the shorter handle make it easier to hold the punch with one hand and it with the hammer in the other. Ask any blacksmith they will tell you that you want mass. Sure the rounded face can make it glance a little easier but the mass makes it less likely too.

Drilling hammers are meant for hand drilling into concrete/rock/steel so it is meant to do exactly what i use it for.

 

[Coolabah]

What types of hammers should the DIY type homeowner have on hand at all times?

Would a basic claw hammer (what weight?), a small ball peen, and a sledgehammer (what weight?) do the trick?

Any recommendations on brands?

Thanks for your help.

I survived for many, many years with just my fathers old 20 oz claw hammer, no name brand in fact he probably made it himself when I first started out in this game. Now I have probably well over 20 hammers but that is another story....

 

[PugetDude]

16 ounce Curved Claw Hammer
20 Ounce Rip Claw Framing Hammer
12 ounce Rip Claw Trim hammer
4 lb Sledgehammer
All from Estwing, of course... you won't regret spending the money; they'll last your lifetime.