when /why do you need a raw hide hammer

[steveo3002]

picked up a rawhide hammer at a sale localy because i didnt have one

not really sure what jobs theyre meant for lol

 

[monomach]

It's just the same as a normal plastic-type soft-faced hammer. I don't know anyone who still buys rawhide, though. Most people long-ago moved on to one more like this: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-soft-face-hammer-with-4-tips/p-00938388000P They last longer than rawhide and have the added flexibility of different hardnesses.

Basically, they're for smacking things you don't want to put a mark on and for lightly hitting soft things a normal hammer would break.

If I had to guess the #1 use today, it would be gunsmithing/assembly. Also, leatherworking.

 

[neophyte]

Rawhide jammers are one of the main tools Jewelers use for shaping metal. They're soft enough that they don't really mar metal much, but stiff enough to slightly stretch or compress the metal when needed. They're good for when you need to hit something and not mark it up.

 

[NHBandit]

Rawhide jammers are one of the main tools Jewelers use for shaping metal. They're soft enough that they don't really mar metal much, but stiff enough to slightly stretch or compress the metal when needed. They're good for when you need to hit something and not mark it up.

Yep and leather work. I use one for leather tooling all the time. Nothing works better in my opinion.

 

[Dave455]

The rawhide hammers seem to have a little less 'bounce' then the nylon or plastic hammers so are some times preferable, especially in the larger sizes!

Like the nylon and plastic though, you'd use one whenever you wanted something softer than brass or copper. Great for disassembling or assembling engine or machine parts, especially if there are alloy or plated parts involved!

 

[PCO6]

I have a couple of raw hide hammers and they are among my favourites. They don't carry a lot of weight but are great for light duty "tapping".

 

[bad_idea]

Pipe fitting. I spent $50 or so on one about 6 months ago. I love them for pipe fitting. Depends on the pipe of course. I am fitting copper nickel (90/10 and 70/30) silver braze pipe from 1/4" - 2". The pipe goes into the fitting socket anywhere from 3/8" to 3/4" depending on the pipe size. It is a snug fit and at times they need the persuasion of a rawhide mallet. If a pipe is out of round a bit (existing pipe) you can tap it back into shape w/ the mallet. Occasionally I need to smack a red hot fitting w/ the mallet, a rubber mallet wouldn't do well w/ that!

Be careful not to tap your finger though. It smarts like crazy and is an instant blood blister. Just from a tap. Worse than smacking your finger w/ a hammer.

 

[Stuey]

Light sheet metal and soft wire.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

when /why do you need a raw hide hammer ?

Just think of the song... I only use mine when I'm Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rawhide

 

[pieceofwork]

Knocking the spinners off the wire wheels on your: (MG, Triumph, Ferrari, etc, etc)

 

[Rickster]

We used them all the time in the test lab to move fixtures around without messing them up.

 

[64Trvlr]

Knocking the spinners off the wire wheels on your: (MG, Triumph, Ferrari, etc, etc)

I never thought about using rawhide when I had cars with knock off wheels. I just used a lead hammer.

 

[TapperMan]

My dad was a tile layer. He had several rawhide hammers in with his other tools.

 

[thom1968]

My FIL left me several of various sizes. The ones he had multiples of were worn on one edge only, He was an old-school printer. I can well imagine he used them for tapping printing press parts into place where he could only strike from one direction.
Another advantage is that when the face gets messed up you can sand or bandsaw it down to a fresh face.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've got a big one with a cast iron head and raw hide faces I sue when mounting tires by hand. It allows me to tap on the tire bead to get it over the edge when things get tight and not mar either the rubber bead or a rim if I connect there.

I have a bunch of smaller lighter ones, can't say I've used then much at all, but I don't do a lot of soft metal work either.

 

[JohnK007]

In woodworking I use mine all the time for assembling/adjusting face frames, cabinet boxes and machine adjustment. I also use it for striking my wood chisels. I've got a couple. Wouldn't be without one.

 

[SKFishing]

Repairing boat props.

 

[minimowog]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THOR-COPP...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae793c3f4

half hide/copper hammer adds a bit of weight when you need to make use of the hide end

 

[mtnwalton]

I've always preferred rawhide to other "dead blow" hammers. I've got several sizes. Used in the machine shop often, setting parts down on parallels in milling vice, adjusting stock in lathe, millwright work, they seem to have more mass force when needed.

 

[monkeyspanners]

picked up a rawhide hammer at a sale localy because i didnt have one

not really sure what jobs theyre meant for lol

Lumping things you don't want to put dents in!

 

[mrborohachi]

i use mine when i'm reinstalling axles on non IRS Toyota rear ends. Like others have said they aren't very "heavy" so i'm not knocking wheels studs out of the axle flanges. One caveat tho is shreds of the rawhide flying off during use, think bits of lead on a lead hammer.


Blues Brothers RawHide:

 

[comedyman809]

i remember machine operators using them for printing press dies.
i had to order them new ones all the time, they beat the **** out of them, but couldn't use any other hammer for some reason. maybe for the teeth on the dies, so they don't get bent…not too sure.

 

[kindyr]

I have several of the split head weighted rawhide hammers ala Garland and Chicago Rawhide that work great for sheet metal shaping without leaving bags of marbles to clean up later. non weighted rawhides are shill the standard among leather workers and jewelers as has been mentioned.
If I need to move something and not destroy it, I use my #3 garland.

 

[Fordman7795]

Taking roll out of pipe. If you over roll sheet metal pipe u can smack it a few times with the rawhide and it will open up.

 

[hydro182]

I use a 44oz. almost daily. Machine retooling,adjustment/repair.

 

[kenburkholz]

Before all the plastic dead blow hammers became available, The gas company I worked for used a great number of Lead, copper, and rawhide hammers, for their non sparking qualities. Ken.