Your Thoughts about Magnetic Nail Starter on Hammers?

[giants]

I'm shopping for new hammers and came across the concept of magnetic nail starters (see eg photo and link, below):

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-22-oz-Steel-Checkered-Face-Hammer-DWHT51064/205849047

Are they really that advantageous?

I'm concerned about being able to place the nail accurately.

Also, I envision my limited uses (not building a house, mind you) that allow me to drill a pilot hole, then have room to put the nail before hammering it.

Thanks!

 

[redwrench60]

It’s a nice feature to have but I don’t live and die by it. it’s Great when you’re up on a ladder at the end of your reach and need to start a nail one handed or when one hand is holding a board or sheathing in place and you just need to get the first nail in place. Accuracy isn’t a problem if you have the ability to drive nails without having to cat’s paw every 3rd one. It’s really no different setting one in the right spot or hitting one that’s already set.

My favorite nail starter hammer is Estwing Ultra series.

 

[lardy1]

Any competent framer can do the same thing with the claws.

 

[Ton ton]

I am more worried about the handle being wooden or fiberglass than I am about the magnetic nail starter. I think that some features are a touch gimmicky. Just my 2 cents. I don't want to argue with anyone.

 

[Robinson1]

I've never used one or owned a hammer with one and almost every penny I've ever made my entire adult life has been from construction or wood working.

I'm sure it's nice in certain applications.

 

[Bighead38]

Any competent framer can do the same thing with the claws.

Trying to picture how but it’s not working out.

 

[DFB]

Never used a feature like that...my Estwing didn't have it

Thinking now the new Milwaukee I may have a notch for that magnetic nail holding


Ya it does!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Fiberglass-Handle-Hammer-48-22-9316/301688588


Nope never used it

 

[KnurledNut]

Trying to picture how but it’s not working out.

Old school claw hammer technique. Doesnt work too well with modern straight claw.

 

[Bighead38]

Old school claw hammer technique. Doesnt work too well with modern straight claw.

Oh ok, was completely picturing a more modern hammer and wondering how it would be possible lol.

 

[The Cobbler]

framers that I hired for my garage build all had them. they said they loved them. when it came time to tack on the wall sheeting, they could set the nail on the hammer, reach over head and get the nail started . same for the roof sheething . got the upper sheets tacked on without a ladder
followed up with wide crown staples

 

[lardy1]

With a rip hammer (straight claw for you landlubbers), you wedge the head between the claws rather than the shank of the nail.

Balance a dozen sixteen penny nails on the head of one?

Cut a perfect circle on a table saw?


It must be magic.

 

[KnurledNut]

With a rip hammer (straight claw for you landlubbers), you wedge the head between the claws rather than the shank of the nail.

Balance a dozen sixteen penny nails on the head of one?

Cut a perfect circle on a table saw?


It must be magic.

Used to do the “nails on top of one” trick often. Also cut radius’ with circular saw. Diagonal concave rips with table saw. Ladder sliding. Tape measure tricks. The list is long.

 

[lardy1]

 

[2oolhound]

I've never used a magnetic one but I like the idea. As mentioned and illustrated above, the claw hammer technique has been around for ages and is a super benefit when extra reach is needed. I was was a carpenter's helper when I was young. The journeymen on the heavy construction job could easily use the technique 10 times a week. (this could all happen in a 10 minute period where you needed the reach and didn't want to track down a longer ladder or way to get higher at the moment). This was 50 years ago and even before that Cheney made hammers with 2 spring loaded ball bearings like this: (so who knows how long the claw hammer technique has been around)

 

[seber]

Never used a feature like that...my Estwing didn't have it

Thinking now the new Milwaukee I may have a notch for that magnetic nail holding


Ya it does!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Fiberglass-Handle-Hammer-48-22-9316/301688588


Nope never used it

I'm trying to picture how I would use that hammer without destroying my knuckles.

 

[2oolhound]

I'm trying to picture how I would use that hammer without destroying my knuckles.

Yeah, somebody musta really hit something hard in order to squish the head in like that.

 

[zendriver]

I've never used one, but I'd think it would be a great feature.

It is on an HF framing hammer, I found lying in the road.

What is most interesting, people still hammer nails with a hammer. Thought it was a about the screw, or at least pneumatic nailer.

 

[DFB]

I'm trying to picture how I would use that hammer without destroying my knuckles.

???

Very strange comment

The thing swings like an axe

 

[speed bump]

I like the magnetic nail starter for siding nails. Between my lack of nailing skills (thanks pneumatic tools!), the blunt tip, and thin shank the extra little bit of support from the heads seems to help me avoid bending as many of them.

Otherwise its nice for nails at foot level (so you don't have to kneel) or above head level but in 10+ years I have had a hammer with one I don't think I have used it over 50 times.

The feature I want on my next hammer is the side nail puller because my hammer sees a lot of use pulling nails.

 

[DFB]

Yeah, somebody musta really hit something hard in order to squish the head in like that.

I have to say many of the newest hammers out there are pretty different looking from what was a standard for like ever.

 

[DFB]

I've never used one, but I'd think it would be a great feature.

It is on an HF framing hammer, I found lying in the road.

Maybe somebody threw it away

 

[mc4life27]

I'm shopping for new hammers and came across the concept of magnetic nail starters (see eg photo and link, below):



https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-22-oz-Steel-Checkered-Face-Hammer-DWHT51064/205849047



Are they really that advantageous?



I'm concerned about being able to place the nail accurately.



Also, I envision my limited uses (not building a house, mind you) that allow me to drill a pilot hole, then have room to put the nail before hammering it.



Thanks!

I think they work great. Plus if they didn’t work why would all of the top of the line hammers have one like the 200 and up price rang


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