39er

Like anything else danger follows the tablesaw to any project. My job as a Pilot had risks as well but proper training and tons of planning we kept that risk manageable.
I do remodeling and home repair now where I have seen lots of stupid things in the trades. Shimming the blade guard on a circular saw is one. The other is a rip cut on some blind stops for a door where the operator straddled the blade on the table saw with his index and middle finger. Get a push stick and stand to the side my friend. Use your head and cut the risks not the appendages. If the saw stop is activated the saw is down for serious repair costing a good bit of money and as I understand it only works once. I injured my arm with a saw but it was keeping it from falling off a tailgate that tore tendons (forever) not even plugged in. I was a Safety officer in aviation and will say you can't legislate ignorance and stupidity out of the equation.

By the time I became a decent part time Frame Carpenter I was mid way through a career flying Helicopters and Jets. In those days early 80s there were a number of hammers to include the Vaughn 999, and of course Eastwing milled face 23 Oz. I was riding in a van to pick up an aircraft after repair and stumbled on a hardware store that carried Hart Hammers. Spent my lunch money on a "California Framer" and immediately tossed the others in a bin as spares. This lasted until I was framing with a guy and he mentioned a Titanium Hammer he had tried. Thought little of it till I found one and had to have it. Stilletto has been anxious to re-mill the face,replace the Tubular Aircraft Aluminum handle and give credit toward an upgrade in some cases. They are a well run company and make a sweet hammer. Wife made note of 14 framing hammers at last inventory. Can't seem to throw them away. 8 Nail guns as well. Wish I had the skills to match the tools.

Unlike many above I actually have a Titanium hammer from Stilletto. Not sure how long the patent lasts but I am certain if Stanley and Plumb or others could follow the lead they would. I am a framer and very fussy about my work and tools. I made my living as a Pilot since age 20, 40 years ago. Framing has been an Avocation I suppose; but one that I have used as a way to make retirement productive.

The first time I picked up a Titanium was in a local (Mom& Pop)lumber retailer 9 years ago. I gladly forked over the 52 Bucks and went to the Job site to try it out. It changed my thinking about nailing instantly. The Estwing, Vaughn, and Plumb went into the Shop to wait for demolition jobs and my wife's tomato stakes. I bought another Titan that had an Aircraft Aluminum handle and man was it sweet. Perfect balance and grip with reverse curved handle. 2 years of constant use and a crack developed near the point where aluminum met titanium at the base of the head. Couldn't find a replacement ( they quit making that type) so I emailed the company. Soon prepaid fed-ex envelope took both hammers to Sunny Cal and in days both were back with new wooden handles, new milling on faces and a full credit toward the purchase of the new I-Beam style hammer. Some Hardcore guys were waiting on me at a site where we were building an addition on a church. To a man they asked if my hammer was borrowed from my wife or if it was a father's day gift I had to carry??? I tossed it to them one at a time and they shut up about my hammer. Need one with a smooth face for Cornice work. Regards Blair

Unlike many above I actually have a Titanium hammer from Stilletto. Not sure how long the patent lasts but I am certain if Stanley and Plumb or others could follow the lead they would. I am a framer and very fussy about my work and tools. I made my living as a Pilot since age 20, 40 years ago. Framing has been an Avocation I suppose; but one that I have used as a way to make retirement productive.

The first time I picked up a Titanium was in a local (Mom& Pop)lumber retailer 9 years ago. I gladly forked over the 52 Bucks and went to the Job site to try it out. It changed my thinking about nailing instantly. The Estwing, Vaughn, and Plumb went into the Shop to wait for demolition jobs and my wife's tomato stakes. I bought another Titan that had an Aircraft Aluminum handle and man was it sweet. Perfect balance and grip with reverse curved handle. 2 years of constant use and a crack developed near the point where aluminum met titanium at the base of the head. Couldn't find a replacement ( they quit making that type) so I emailed the company. Soon prepaid fed-ex envelope took both hammers to Sunny Cal and in days both were back with new wooden handles, new milling on faces and a full credit toward the purchase of the new I-Beam style hammer. Some Hardcore guys were waiting on me at a site where we were building an addition on a church. To a man they asked if my hammer was borrowed from my wife or if it was a father's day gift I had to carry??? I tossed it to them one at a time and they shut up about my hammer. Need one with a smooth face for Cornice work. Regards Blair