OK, this is the tool that I know the least about so I figured I’d ask the pro’s:
My mother in law is 64, retired, and is spending alot of time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She can be pretty handy, and “STRONG LIKE OX!”… but swinging a borrowed hammer can really make her sore.
I was thinking of getting her a good hammer for Hannukka. Any weight range/style you might think good? Also, a good tool belt for her to hang it off of?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it’s because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
Replies
Wow. What an opening for smart-azz remarks!
Not me, though.
Nooooo.
I'd say something with a vibration-absorbing handle, maybe wood? Not rip claws (in your forehead if you're not used to it); no more than 20 oz.
For a hook I like the separate one you put on any belt,with a rigid metal "D" that's always open where you left it. Good thing about a wood hammer (without grips) is it will slide in and out of the metal ring smoothly and not grab on your pants or leg hair (mine, I mean).
Forrest
Ever use one of them slap it in hammer hooks? The kind ya sideways put the hammer in? Little spring loaded gate?
It IS possible to hook yourself to scaffold with one of them..or a ladder rung..DAHMIKNT.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
A 12ozmaybe or the 14oz Titanium. I have never used one but picked it off the rack at my supplier-initially interesting feel and much lighter than what I use. Supposedly will get the job done w/o the weight.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Play it safe and get her a 16 oz Stanley fiberglass handle curved claw to start. If she's really strong like ox, a 20 oz might be ok, but even I don't like swinging a 20 oz hammer all day.
Instead of a tool belt system, consider a belt and separate pouches/toolholders. That's what I bought my sister when she used to work with me occasionally. She likes it because it's light and flexible.
Thanks for the reply's everyone.
Was just looking around at different good hammers, and I came across the Douglas 18oz.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/douglas/DFR1814CX/
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/douglas/DFI18S14CX/
Amazon had great reviews on these. One is smooth face and the other is waffle face - any prefs for HFH work? I'm not sure what tools they use.
Any opinions on Douglas, vs say a Stilletto? Looking to stay under $100 for this.
Also... straight or axe handle?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
Smooth face, you can frame with smooth but can't do finish with waffled face. 18 oz. sounds pretty good actually to me. I frame with a 22, know guys who use a 20 (really old, old guys!) and I use a 16 for finish most of the time.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
forgot: I am an axe handle user. I think they help keep wrist strain down.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Waffle. It will save the material because the hammer will slip hold on and you will have significantly less slipoffs due to amateur techniques. If she is going to do some finish work, she should have a peashooter in her toolbox. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
I have the 18 oz. Douglas, with the smooth face. It's the best hammer I've used in over 30 years in carpentry.
I broke one, using it to chip concrete. ( not a good idea, BTW). I lost one a year or so ago. I recently bought a new one, and it went right into my hammer loop.
I never tried any of the titanium hammers. Maybe I'll get to swing one of Jer's sometime.
I recommend the Estwing fiberglass handle - the one with the extreme curve, that looks like it came from the Starship Enterprise. It's a very, very user-friendly design.
I remember that feeling nice but I fear it would be too heavy.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
As a gal-carp, I would recommend the Stilletto framing hammer. I have used mine for years, and still love it. Straight shaft.
I have always wanted to buy their finish hammer, yet I have never been able to figure out why they put the axe handle on it.
In my way of thinking, the axe handle is for more torque. Seems non-congruent to finish work. I rarely use a hammer when doing finish...nailers and compressor, mostly.
What kind of work is she doing?
It would be cool if you could post some pics of her working.
Isn't that interesting?I knew you would.I hope you're all taking notes, because there's going to be a short quiz next period... Tom Lehrer
OK, Gal Carp (you do have a fish theme going here don't you?)...
I've narrowed it down to the Stiletto 12oz Remodler, with the milled face. If she needs a smooth face for something, I'm sure H4H can provide. I figure the milled face will help out when she is hand nailing framing - she's already talked about doing that.
My question for you (or anyone else to pipe in): 18" handle or 16"?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
16" handle...unless she's over 6'5"...lol.
Isn't that interesting?I knew you would.I hope you're all taking notes, because there's going to be a short quiz next period... Tom Lehrer
10 oz Stilletto titanium. You'll end up getting one for yourself.
I probably need that 10 0z. I've never seen one. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
I know you're a framer who probably does finishing from time to time and I'm a finisher who can do framing. What the titanium 14 oz is to you, the 10 oz is to me. It seldom leaves my side. It's one of the best tool discoveries that has come down the pike in a long time. I own both.
I'm not strong enough to swing anything heavier than my 14 0z titanium.
There wouldn't be any job on a habitat for humanity that it wouldn't work on.
I wouldn't swing that 18 0z anything for one swat. It's too heavy for old tendons.
FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
The local ACE hardware has a decent SS with a pink handle. Just like a manly hammer, but pink. Perfect chick gift.
http://www.buildingonline.com/news/viewnews.pl?id=5425
http://www.amazon.com/Pink-Hammer-Purpose/dp/B000I5JAQW
Edited 11/18/2007 11:35 pm ET by peteshlagor
That would be excellent! She could identify her hammer from the others very easily. Also, my dad worked for habitat and had tools stolen. The problem is the areas where the houses are built. Theft is from non workers that slip in or volunteers that are not there to work. I don't know that I would want to use a expensive hammer there.
Consider this another vote for the 10 oz Stilletto, for your gift. And dang awesome thinking/gifting on your part!!! (did you sign up for the annual XMAS gift exchange? oh rats...that's got a 30 buck limit. Never mind...)
Only dead fish swim with the stream.
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