To most, a hammer is a hammer. “They all look the same and they’re all used to bang stuff together, right?”
Actually, it is not that simple. Sometimes using the wrong hammer can be dangerous to the user or cause damage. Other times using the wrong hammer will lead to wasting a lot of time with little results.
All hammers were designed and engineered for a specific purpose. Knowing that purpose will help you select the right tool for the job. Not using the right hammer can be tedious and brutal to your elbows and you know for a fact that there’s no fun to an aching body after a tiring day at a workshop.
Further Most of the time when people think of hammers they think of the steelhead and the wooden handle. It’s just the most common type of hammer out there and that type has been used for centuries. What people don’t realize is that there is quite a bit of variety when it comes to choosing the type of hammer and the handle of your hammer. Most hammers in the list below are available in
- Wooden Handles
Absorbs recoil / Good balance but prone to wear and tear, needs maintenance, handle replacements will be necessary over time, chances of head separating from the handle.
Wooden handles are also prone to rot/warp/loosen over time or due to prolonged exposure to heat/sun etc
- Fibreglass Handles
Absorbs recoil, but not as good as wood. Slightly more expensive than wood. Usually one-piece construction. requires little to no maintenance. Long-lasting. If broken, the handle cannot be replaced.
- Steel Handles
High recoil, and rebound action. Usually one-piece construction. requires little to no maintenance. Long-lasting. If broken, the handle cannot be replaced. Steel is also the heaviest option, and that extra weight doesn’t necessarily mean that steel-handled hammers pack more punch. Steel hammers are the worst offenders for causing vibrations that impact the user. Heavy vibrations can lead to repetitive strain injuries and other ailments.
Some companies also make Graphite and Titanium Handles varieties for special purposes
A Few Types of Hammers
Claw Hammer
The most popular hammer for general work, available with a wooden (often hickory), glass-fibre or steel handle; with or without rubber grip. The most popular weights are 500-800g. The claw is normally curved and incorporates a ‘V’ cut-out to draw nails from timber. The claw can be used to lever up floorboards or where other places where a lever is required.
Ball Pein Hammer
Normally used by engineer’s, the pein, in this case, is rounded and is usually used for shaping metal and closing rivets. The handles are traditionally wood, although Fibreglass Handles are now very popular.
Club Hammer
This tool has a short, double-faced head similar to that of a sledgehammer. While not well-suited for commercial work, the club hammer is useful for driving steel chisels and masonry heads, as well as light demolition work. It is usually having a head weight from 1kg to 2kg (2Lb – 4Lb). The handles are traditionally wood, although Fibreglass Handles are now very popular. Wood handles tend to crack more easily due to the high head weight.
Sledge Hammer
These are similar hammers to a club hammer, except they have a longer handle and tend to be a heavier (3-14 lbs).
They are used for breaking up masonry, stones and concrete. They are also useful for driving in stakes. Real force can be delivered by swinging the hammer like an axe; the longer handle will provide huge momentum and hitting power when combined with the weight of the head.
Dead-Blow Hammer
The head of this hammer is specially designed for minimal recoil and soft blows. It usually has either a solid rubber or plastic head or a semi-hollow head filled with sand or lead shot. Some hammers also come with replaceable faces for various uses.
They can be used in everything from woodworking to automotive applications where they aid in dislodging parts, fixing small dents, and knocking wood together or apart without marring the surface.
Soft-faced Hammers
A soft-faced hammer or mallet is a hammer designed to offer driving force without damaging surfaces. They also reduce the force transmitted back to the arm or hand of the user, by temporarily deforming more than a metal hammer would.
Aluminium Head
These are soft-faced hammers that are used for moulding metal without damaging the surface being moulded.
Copper and Hide Hammers
This hammer’s head has copper at one end and rawhide at the other. It is used for shaping metal when you do not want hammer marks on it, such as on car bodywork.
Plastic / Nylon Faced Hammer
This round, double-faced hammer has a rubber, plastic, or copper face that may sometimes be interchangeable. It’s designed to strike more delicate materials, such as chrome without causing damage. Some companies have Dead blow hammers with interchangeable faces as well.
Rubber Mallet
The head on a rubber mallet is made of rubber. These types of hammers deliver softer impact than hammers with metalheads. They are essential if your work needs to be free of impact marks.
Of all the types of hammers, you will only need the ones that are useful in your trade. Because many hammers have similar designs, it may appear that one hammer should be good enough for a variety of uses. Choosing the best hammer for the job at hand is the only way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your tool.
We have a Great Selection of Hammers in our online store. If there is a specific type that you are looking for do contact us