I haven’t done much framing for years, but am about to get into it again for a few months (volunteer building project). Last time I spent weekends with a framing hammer, my joints were not happy. Would it make a big difference if I got a low-vibration hammer (like the Stanley)?
I don’t need much encouragement to buy new tools: I’m just curious to know if this would make a difference.
Replies
I used the stanley antivibe II 20oz with a straight claw, and I loved it. After about 3 years the tunning fork broke off and that was the end of it. I couldn't find another II but found a III. I didn't like the III as much but was still superior to my old eastwing. I always had trouble finding an eastwing what would not ring. The antivibes were as quiet as could be.
However my last hammer was a stanley fatmax with a hickory handle. big 22oz with a wafflehead and a nail set. It was a big MFer. Wasn't good for alot of apps, but handy on forms and overhand or anything that needed slight :-) adjusting. Used the antivibe III mostly now. I does seem more solid than my II was.
I guess you question was about arm fatigue. The antivibe did have a noticable differance. I could use it a lot longer than my old eastwings.
I also have traded the faithful Estwing in on the Stanley antivibe.
Just love it.
Really does seem to be easier are the arm, and the handle feels very good. Always feel like I am in control, even when I let her slide way down, with just a little handle in my hand.
I had a little trouble with a 16oz. and the fork, but Stanley replaced it for nothing.View Image
estwings dont ring they sing
Need to know how much you are willing to spend on a hammer to be much help.
The Stanley Fat max is a pretty good bang for the buck if you like a 22oz. head weight for $19.95.
Douglas is way better but costs about $40. dollars more.
The Vaughan "TiTech" is sweet but a little soft on impact due to the soft rubber between the head and striker, we've replaced the rubber with a teflon washer.
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Never tried the anti vibe stanelys.
However, I've noticed a big difference in elbow pain with my wood handled douglas over the estwings I have. Maybe the hammer is just balanced better and the handle has nothing to do with it, but I've noticed a lot less elbow aggervation since I switched to wood
I love the durability of the Estwings, but a few years of framing about did in my elbows (yeah, I had to get ambidextrous for awhile to give my right arm a breather).
So I've played around with some alternatives the last couple years....the Stanleys are ok but.....
Now I'm a converted titanium fan....I went to the inexpensive end (about $58 for the stiletto framer) but what an amazing hammer! A friend loaned me one to try and it took me awhile to bring myself to return it. Now, a couple guys on my crew are always wanting to borrow it!
Easy on the arm and a nail drivin,' spike drivin' SOB and it weighs about 14 oz.!
And if you've got a limp wrist, you don't have to choke up on it.
If Major League baseball switched to titanium bats, there would be a lot of home runs along with frequent fatalities in the stands.
I`ve used a Vaughn wood handled hammer for the past twenty years.....I see no need for an "anti-vibe" hammer.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
As far as I'm concerned wood is anti vibe, unless you miss and get your hand between the two, and if that's the case you had better find another profession..........
Vaughan is a pretty good hammer........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
whats the collection up to these days anyway?
43 beauties.............The new Douglas curved claw framer is next, I'm still waiting on the Vaughan "Patriot"............don't tell the wife"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
somehow I think with 43 hammers already, she probably doesn't notice to quickly when you add a new one.
she probably doesn't notice to quickly when you add a new one
Yes she does, I'm encroaching onto her wall space on the other side of our shared office...............
She wants me to get a life...........
Sheeeezzzzzz........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Just say:
"I have one honey, and I couldn't imagine it with out you"
she'll either A, see right through the line of BS, B, be so confused as your new found "sweetness" she'll forgt the hammers or C, Buy it and all is well
You don't by any chance have a "duck" in your collection do you?
Found myself picking it up yesterday at Berlands and really liking the balance.
Any first hand experience with the thing?
Yes the Mean Duck is hangin on the wall daring to hit a nail................
I think it is a true framers hammer with the heavy head weight and built in catspaw for pulling those gun nails outta your shoes..........
If you didn't get the instruction tab on the handle you might like to know the claw side of the hammer is a nail starter..........
Enjoy your new hammer.........It's pretty cool..........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Hey Pro-Dek ......Do you have any comments or experience with Estwing's 21 oz. Fiberglass , " Rip , claw" ? Being a real old framer I picked one up at Menards and said "Damn " and of course used it to scratch my back , worked pretty good . The local price was $26.78 on sale .
The only Estwing I own is my Dads ole hammer and I do use it around the house for some finish work but the handles on Estwings are too short for my liking (even for scratching your back)and there really is no balance to there hammers. They are affordable and built to last forever."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Another vote here for the titanium.....my acupuncturist, (and partner) just about requires her patients who are in the trades to get one, as she treats many with tendonitis.
Amen on the titanium! I had a Vaugne (untill it developed "legs") and replaced it with a carbon wrapped axe handle, Death.. (something, I forget but it's got a skull and crossbones on it) evan my wife loves the feel of it and she hates tools..
whimpy little taps drives nails to an amazing depth. easy to control and when you need to turn it into a sledge hammer ansd just bash something into place it does that well too!
I do keep my beloved eastwing around for trim work..
It's a death stick. I almost bought it when I ended up with a stanley fatmax. I didn't notice any differance and the fatmax was $10.00 cheaper.
Let me take this time to give a shout out to the guys who come by the job and have a truckload of 22oz eastwings with a waffle head for $5.00. Haven't seen them in awhile but I do miss them.
They are almost as welcome as the guy who was just trying to get home and needed "gas money". So he was riding around selling jewelry. All I had was a $100.00 bill. Guess what... he had change.
My wife still loves her $10.00 24k necklace. It had a receit in the box for $1100.00.
I swung an Estwing till we started two houses with $75,000 in LVL's, in each one. Let me tell you metal bad-wood good-titanium better. Death stick makes a titanium hammer for around 80-90 smackers, waffle head and no waffle head. Swing away and never look back. Swings like feather, stings like a bee! I know is is expensive, but so is health care. Tool crib has an all titanium hammer from Stilleto that absolutely rocks. Shaft and all are titanium so you don't have to worry about replacing handles. Good luck........