Graham Tool Lead Hammer

Posted by 141drew Apr 13, 2009 at 10:03 AM and filed under Reviews & Features

So I got this press release the other day. In it was the description of a “different kind of tool company” along with a gorgeously designed catalog. I fell in love with their marketing instantly… and as a marketing guy, I couldn’t resist showing off just one of the ways Graham Tool is making a splash. This isn’t a commercial – I don’t know these guys at all and they haven’t paid me a dime.

Introducing the Lead Hammer. You cast it yourself and when the hammer becomes abused and mis-shaped, you just melt it down and cast it again. It might not be practical, but it is friggin’ brilliant.

Get yours here.

See Comments on the forum.

View thread (26 replies)

e-tek

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

Thanks for posting this Ryan! Funny how this seems like a GREAT NEW IDEA!!! But like many things, it's just been pulled out of obscurity. When I was a kid growing up in a body shop, I saw lots of lead hammers and still have a lead dolly that an old-timer made for me. Works great for pick-hammer work on small dents or woirking out the last ripples.

Be interested to see how many guys think they need a lead hammer and aren't afraid of working with lead. (It's only dangerous when sanded and inhaled).

Cheers on posting interesting things that come your way!

Uncle Buck

Banned

Apr 13, 2009

e-tek said:
Thanks for posting this Ryan! Funny how this seems like a GREAT NEW IDEA!!! But like many things, it's just been pulled out of obscurity. When I was a kid growing up in a body shop, I saw lots of lead hammers and still have a lead dolly that an old-timer made for me. Works great for pick-hammer work on small dents or woirking out the last ripples.

Be interested to see how many guys think they need a lead hammer and aren't afraid of working with lead. (It's only dangerous when sanded and inhaled).

Cheers on posting interesting things that come your way!

Don't you imagine there is a bit of risk from the inhalation of fumes from heating the lead to liquidity as well? I am fairly sure there is some risk there. :pimpflash

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

Apr 13, 2009

Uncle Buck said:
Don't you imagine there is a bit of risk from the inhalation of fumes from heating the lead to liquidity as well? I am fairly sure there is some risk there.

Minimal... and even so, who cares? Live a little...

Jononon

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

Uncle Buck said:
Don't you imagine there is a bit of risk from the inhalation of fumes from heating the lead to liquidity as well? I am fairly sure there is some risk there.

Ryan said:
Minimal... and even so, who cares? Live a little...

Doesn't seem to have done this guy any harm over sixty-odd years:

Brad54

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

I haven't seen any on ebay for a while, but lead hammer molds used to show up pretty frequently. I bought one that looks identical to the one in the video. Haven't cast a hammer yet, but will.

I've heard lead hammers work very well for shrinking metal around curves and corners. I need to get on it.

-Brad

Last edited: Apr 13, 2009

-B-

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

Well they have a small market open to them if they get to it SCCA, and Vintage racing.

Brad54

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

-B- said:
Well they have a small market open to them if they get to it SCCA, and Vintage racing.

Machinists, too--nice to have a lead hammer to tap vice jaws and clamps tight. Doesn't mark up the machine.

Brad

goodfellow

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

Jononon said:
Doesn't seem to have done this guy any harm over sixty-odd years:

Bill (the lead slinger) Hines is one of my personal heroes. That old guy has THE touch. What most guys do with bondo, Bill does with lead. Gotta love that "mug". :bounce:

I use lead hammers all the time to beat body panels back into shape and to take off wire wheel spinners.

Torque1st

MEMBER EMERITUS

Apr 13, 2009

Ditto on machinists using lead hammers. A lead hammer mold is on my list of projects. I already have a nice setup for melting lead.

slim53

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

These guys rule. The artwork alone makes me want to purchase from them. Does anyone know who did it for them? The posters and t-shirts are first on my list.

Slim

russlaferrera

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

Yes, I bought it at HF!

rwhite692

Well-known member

Apr 13, 2009

As they say...everything old is new again....Next thing someone will come up with is a new and revolutionary durable and versatile surface for shaping metal called....an Anvil LOL

My Dad used to make up lead hammer heads all the time, brass ones also, from propeller shaft scrap.

Any yes, Bill Hines is the man!

e-tek

Well-known member

Apr 14, 2009

Jononon said:
Doesn't seem to have done this guy any harm over sixty-odd years:

He's actually only 22!!!!

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Jared

Well-known member

Apr 14, 2009

Im going to cast a couple lead hammers this week, i have the lead and a mold.

EddieB

Member

Apr 14, 2009

Their website makes me want to buy everything. I just looked through all of it. I like the safety poster.

CaliNapco

Active member

Apr 14, 2009

That is a cool site.. Almost as hip as Ryan's sites...

Kevin54

MEMBER EMERITUS

Apr 14, 2009

Jononon said:
Doesn't seem to have done this guy any harm over sixty-odd years:

When Bill was on Jesse James, Monster Garage, his son was also on there and stated Bill would never make it through a metal detector anywhere :lol_hitti

I did have the opportunity to see him in person a number of years ago at a Lead Sled show. He was doing a two day custom makeover of a '52 Chevy complete with chopped top. He had a young guy with him helping him out. The first day we watched him strip the car, pull the glass, and had it chopped and ready to sit the glass back in before we left that evening. The guy is amazing to watch. BTW....he is now 87 and has decided to slow down a little. The 2008 story says he is only going to work 9 hours a day or so :wtf:

http://www.billhinestheleadslinger.com/

M3Pilot

Well-known member

Apr 14, 2009

I agree it's a cool site,but $9.95 for a pint of rubbing alcohol?????

Boise-69

Member

Jan 15, 2010

Lead as a solid is not dangerous provided you dont knaw on it when youre bored :shocking:

or for that matter sip gasoline :spit:

The only slight hazard is in the melting process but you would have to do it alot for it to be measurable like we do.

Although neat how that works, what you end up with is more of a toy than a hammer. Within just a few blows the head becomes loose and after awhile a projectile. The ridges on that pipe only holds the lead when cast but when you pound the lead slips on the ridges and loosens.

If you'd rather not invest in a mold for 80.00 and then some lead and a respirator only to end up with a little hammer that gets loose when you use it and then you have to pour it again, I have a better idea...

I am the president of American Hammer, we manufacture the very best lead hammer on the market and if you get in touch with me via the website, i'll send you a a brand new 4lb lead hammer for 25.00 and that will include the shipping to your home. Its unlikely you'll ever need a replacement because the reason a lead hammer doesnt last very long is the softness of the head and that silly pipe handle that doesnt hold on to the head for long, well we have a secret, it doesnt need to be that soft and our heads never come loose. Plus we'll recast your hammer for life at only 15.00, something your son or daughter will take advantage of. www.americanhammer.com Take care all.

Last edited: Jan 15, 2010

Jim Sideways

Active member

Jan 15, 2010

Jononon said:
Doesn't seem to have done this guy any harm over sixty-odd years:

He used to be 6'2" tall :shocking:

Boise-69

Member

Jan 18, 2010

For all of you who ordered hammers, they will ship out by Friday. When you receive it put it to a test, then please post your feelings about it. Thank you.

rickjeanne

New member

Mar 16, 2014

Jared said:
Im going to cast a couple lead hammers this week, i have the lead and a mold.

Am looking for a lead hammer for my wire wheels knockoff bolt. Are you interested and how much 10lb

dmeadow

Well-known member

Mar 16, 2014

I've got a 6 lb hammer I bought from American Hammer a few years ago. I use it on the spinners on my Jag. I think I paid about $40 for it from a similar special offer on a Jag site. It is a solid, beautiful tool. Hard to imagine you could find or make a better one.