What's an Engineer's Hammer for?

[m.b.0331]

I've had this question for a long time. I can tell that an engineer's hammer and a drilling hammer typically have similarly shaped, 2-3 pound heads. The drilling hammer has a shorter handle than the engineer's hammer. From the name, I can tell that the drilling hammer is used to hand drill in masonry. I use one at work to pound chisels and generally break things.

So what's an engineer's hammer for? I have yet to see an engineer out on a jobsite hammering with one of these mini-sledges. Would a train engineer use this? That's the only theory I have right now...google search gave me some BS article by Bob Vila that offered no explanation into the name and dedicated purpose of this hammer.

 

[BFBOB]

Hammering Engineers?

 

[m.b.0331]

Or maybe the big hammer we use when we need to give something a little persuasion and "blunt force engineering."

 

[gonefirefighting]

Engineer's hammers tend to have softer faces, because these hand sledges are designed for striking cold metal.

 

[Grumpy365]

It is a small dual face heavy hammer.

I always assumed it was named for railroad engineers using it on frozen or rusty railroad switches, car couplers, etc.

 

[iroc409]

I like mine as it has a shorter handle than your standard small sledge. I tend to choke up on the handle, so why have the longer handle sticking out? Sears has nice ones in both the short engineer's version, and an identical traditional handle.

 

[m.b.0331]

Thanks for the replies. I'm guessing that the longer handle and soft, heavy head would be great for someone who needs a tool to give big metal parts and pieces some persuasion without breaking them. And if the heads are the same shape and hardness, then the only difference between a drilling hammer and an engineer's hammer is the handle?

 

[gonefirefighting]

the reason the drill hammers handle is shorter (and the head is harder) is so you can twist your drill with one hand and hammer with the other.

 

[machine_punk]

Now that you ask, I don't really know, but I always thought it was for engineers on a job site to drive corner pins, etc. to lay out a project. But that is totally just a guess on my part.

Kev

 

[rsanter]

I am an engineer and I have used an engineers hammer....
As an engineer you design things, then you build things.
Sometimes you ideas are great and they work. You can get a patent and perhaps a raise from the boss for you great idea and the money you will be making the company.

Other times you have what you think is a great idea. You build the prototype and it fails.
You redesign it and it still dosent work....
Thats when you get out the engineers hammer and break the thing into pieces so there is no evidence of you **** *** idea left

Ask me how I know.....

Bob

 

[Deskmechanic]

An engineer's hammer is also called a drilling hammer. Its the same thing. A sledge has a long handle.

 

[Plombob]

I am an engineer and I have used an engineers hammer....
As an engineer you design things, then you build things.
Sometimes you ideas are great and they work. You can get a patent and perhaps a raise from the boss for you great idea and the money you will be making the company.

Other times you have what you think is a great idea. You build the prototype and it fails.
You redesign it and it still dosent work....
Thats when you get out the engineers hammer and break the thing into pieces so there is no evidence of you **** *** idea left

Ask me how I know.....

Bob

Beat me to it!

 

[nicksnothereman]

I've had this question for a long time. I can tell that an engineer's hammer and a drilling hammer typically have similarly shaped, 2-3 pound heads. The drilling hammer has a shorter handle than the engineer's hammer. From the name, I can tell that the drilling hammer is used to hand drill in masonry. I use one at work to pound chisels and generally break things.

So what's an engineer's hammer for? I have yet to see an engineer out on a jobsite hammering with one of these mini-sledges. Would a train engineer use this? That's the only theory I have right now...google search gave me some BS article by Bob Vila that offered no explanation into the name and dedicated purpose of this hammer.

Engineer's hammer is for forming metal. Drilling hammer is for smacking stuff (just about anything), people (including me) call them baby sledges. There are hammers classed somewhat incorrectly but you typically buy them for the head type not the purpose.

There are lots of different kinds of hammers for different types of jobs. For automotive repairs you'll need (or want, depends on the person) a couple such as a good mallet, drilling or sledge hammer, and a deadblow (if not more than one). The good thing about hammers is that they're fairly cheap and somewhat serviceable (except the deadblows and fiberglass handled stuff).

I own an engineers hammer but more or less use it for things other than forming metal. Last time I used it was for smashing ceramic to make ceramic plugs/patches. The handle length was good for avoiding flying shards.

 

[Danglerb]

From last years thread of the same topic.

rlitman
Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 3,588
Default Re: Drilling vs Engineer Hammer
Drilling hammers should have a soft face, for hitting hardened tools.
Engineer hammers may be fully hard, but also have longer handles that I find makes them more difficult to control, but that's a matter of personal taste.