Here’s a different one.
Anyone ever find themselves switching back and forth between hammers throughout the day?
I spent Wednesday and Thursday this week banging out the frame, siding, and trim for a 12′ by 16′ shed. Thursday night as we wrapped up, a close friend that I had working with me made a comment as to my hammer use over the two days. I’ve never really paid it much mind, but when framing I tend to switch back and forth between at least two hammers. I’ve never really found a framing hammer that I liked for every task, so I keep two at close hand: a 14oz Stilletto that I have mixed feelings about and an 18oz Top Banana with a “normal” handle, a dimpled face, and slightly curved claws. The Stilletto rides in my bags until I start hand-nailing any hardware, working at heights, and toe-nailing by hand. Works well for me and I’ve never thought anything of it. I suppose one could ask why I don’t carry the Top Banana all the time, but it just doesn’t work well for me bent over spiking together a wall or hand-nailing a bit of sheathing. Once things get going on siding and trim I switch to my trusty old 16oz Hart.
I should add that I didn’t hand-nail this whole frame, actually very little of it. We had two nailers running both days, but hey, sometimes it’s just as fast to hand-nail.
So, am I nuts or just waaaaaaay too anal-retentive?
Replies
I don't typically switch my hammers throughout the day unless I'm switching from a sledge to a framing to a tack hammer. The past few years I've been trying new hammers like steel or fiberglass. this year I'm going to try out a wooden one.
There's enough youth in this world, how 'bout a fountain of SMART??!!
Same framing hammer for me for about 4 years now. Same hickory handle too if you can believe that. Only time it's not in my belt is when I'm doing exterior trim or siding and a I switch to a 19oz Douglas trimmer with a smooth face.
Hey DP,
What kind of framing hammer are you using? I'm always looking at new hammers and I have yet to find any that I really grab and like.
Barney<!----><!----><!---->
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Its not the destination, but the integrity of the journey.<!----><!---->
Barney, I've been using a Vaughan Ti-Tech for about 4 years now and I really like it. Hickory handle, titanium head, but a steel striking face. Nice hammer and reasonably priced too. My favorite by far.View Image
Thanks. I'll have to take a look at one and see if it will work for me.
I'm tired of picking one up, buying it, and then a week later not liking it.
Barney<!----><!----><!---->
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Its not the destination, but the integrity of the journey.<!----><!---->
Barney, if you look around a bit, that Vaughan Ti-tech can be had in all sorts of configurations so you're bound to find one that suits you. Straight handle, axe handle, hickory handle, fiberglass handle, milled face, smooth face, etc.
No matter which handle you choose you can buy both the smooth and milled face if you have the need. The steel faces are swapped via an allen screw. I like a titanium hammer (for all the obvious reasons) but I like the steel face because it won't mushroom and disfigure the way a titanium face will. The Ti-Tech is also 16oz... a touch heavier than some of the other titanium hammers available. Just right for me, anyway.View Image
Thanks for the additional advice. Definitely appreciate it.I'm looking for something in a hickory handle this time. I've tried the fiber glass and the Stanley anti-vibe hammers. Found the first generation wasn't so anti after all.This time I'll probably go with the milled face. I'll have to go to amazon and check them out if they have them.
Barney<!----><!----><!---->
<!----> <!---->
Its not the destination, but the integrity of the journey.<!----><!---->
You need to be honest with them. Your favorite hammer is that Hitachi framming nailor!
I usually switch back and forth during each nail - waffle face to steer it in, then a smooth face to seat it. Sometimes I'll even use three hammers if it's a really big nail.
Forrest
I can picture Bugs and Elmer, going back and forth at each other, each time with a bigger hammer.
I use my big Estwing for framing, and the 16oz for finish work. View Image View Image
Forest, I used to do that but eventually learned to simultaneously swing a hammer with each hand.Takes a little getting used to, especially having to learn to hold the nails between my toes to get them started.Oh gosh. I guess that means I swing both ways!
Squash,
14oz milled face Stilletto for framing that doesn't make my arm hurt no matter how much I use it... and a something or another oz Estwing club for trashing stuff and when I need a smooth face.
Matt
I have a few mallet I throw in to the rotation depending on what I'm doing. I use a 15 oz Stilletto Tibone sometime, an 18 oz Douglass most of the time, and a 16 oz Vaughn for interior trim. I don't need an 18" handle for setting trim nails and brads.
Woods favorite carpenter
Most of my work is of the lighter variety like finishing, trim , kitchens etc, so I mostly use my 10 oz Stiletto titanium.
When I'm framing new, I use the 14 oz Stiletto.
When I demo, or am dealing with old framing, or need to move stuff I use my 22 oz Vaughn.
So yes, I'm often switching hammers throughout the day depending.
I'd probably opt for your setup if I ever returned to the field. I ended my career using that 14oz and everything else feels far too heavy now but occasionally I'd need some more heft in the hit. I had one of those stanley weird hammer/wrecker tools that worked somewhat okay. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I often switch hammers and think that is reasonable.
I framed with a guy a few years ago who wore two hammers on his belt. I thought that was a bit much to carry around. I always like to carry minimal tools when framing, but I have an extra belt that holds a few items. I just hang it on a nail near where I am doing most of my work so I don't have to run to the truck when I need a pry bar or something else.
I think using two is reasonable too, but it depends on the person and setting. I can't ever see myself carrying two hammers at one time on my bags, but I keep the second within a quick jaunt. I don't want to paint the picture that I switch back and forth constantly, it's simply based on the current task at hand. I seem to be able to nail much much faster with a smaller hammer like my Top Banana and tend to default to it more often than not.
Truth be told, I'm quickly becoming less and less of a fan of my Stilletto. It sure is nice on the elbow, but it's just too clunky for me and doesn't fit my hand too well which results in my hand cramping after a while. Maybe it's time to offload it.
I use the same hammer for everything. Hand nailed a few homes together with it.
28yr. old Plumb 16 oz. curved claw fibreglass handle.
I agree one hammer per day. 28oz estwing framing 16oz eswing
for everything else.
22 oz. Vaughn is my hammer of choice.....milled face for framing....smooth for exterior trim.
I'll drop down to my 20 oz. smooth faced when using finish nails.
Truth is though, I could probably be perfectly happy with the 22 oz. smooth for everything, everyday.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
I'm attached to my 20oz straight claw smooth face for about everything lately. Wood handle - third one
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I could see that....although I find the 20 a tad light for some of the heavier framing I do.
Overall though, it could probably handle most tasks.
I've also found that my wood handled hammers last a LOT longer now that I don't lend them out.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
squash
I used to use a 22 oz vaugh framing hammer with a wood hatchet handle.. Then I developed tennis elbow.. I went to the estwing leather grip but it's too light to be effective in a lot of situations..
I bought a Hart death stick titanium with the wooden hatchet handle and that has been great!
I have the leverage and size I need. My tennis elbow hasn't reappeared and except for the litttle magnet gone flying off at some point it's worked well for me.. I still use the estwing for the smaller stuff..
I used to use a 22 oz vaugh framing hammer .... Then I developed tennis elbow..
I would be shocked to find out that the hammer led to the condition.
Vaughan wood handled hammers are among the most well balanced hammers on the market and I have met and worked with countless people who have switched from all steel hammers precisely because of such a condition.
Anyone I have ever met with "tennis elbow" swears by their Vaughan hammers.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
I worked for several decades and didn't have any elbow problems at all. I bought a new hammer and developed severe problems within a few weeks. My 14oz titanium solved them in a few weeks and I've never had any more problems. I dont think it's the hammer or the user exclusively that solves or creates tennis elbow. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Oh...I agree completely.
I didn't mean to infer that specific hammers created or solved any condition.
Only that those with such a condition often found relief when switching to a well balanced hammer.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
jaybird,
Please remember I'm a fat overweight old guy who used to live a mostly sedentary life prior to this craziness.. So I ain't most guys. :-)
I'm with you on that! Most cases get blamed on steel Estwings causing shock to the arm. The wood handle absorbs shock better.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
wood hatchet handle.. I believe you mean a colt's foot handle.
If so you need to hold it by the very end to
swing it properly.
That could have been the problem.
Henley..
That's indeed how I always swing a hammer.. I use every inch of handle available.. let leverage work for me..
I have been told that eating pineapple cures the elbow thing.
i have a quiver of hammers i will pick from depending on the job,
framing is either a 25 oz or a 21 oz HART waffle face depending on footing. ( i think i have about three of each). all are old, not the newer castings/incarnations of hart hammers. both have been rehandled many times, i think maybe even three have had waffle face regrooved.
for pick-up, or joisting where the longer nose comes in handy its a 20 oz or 24 oz vaughn rip hammer, both have been rehandled with longer handles. a lot longer on the 20. several factors go into choosing the weight for the task, but the main thing is whether i am bent over (nailing downhill) or working at waist height or above.
i have tried many hammers over the years, but those are my favorites for rough framing work, and i will switch back and forth till i find the one thats right for the task.
for the perfect swing, check out message 34122.44
in a previous incarnation i was skids, changed names when moved and new ISP.
Edited 4/8/2008 5:01 pm ET by segundo
95% of the time it's my 20 YO Estwing 20 oz smooth face, straight claw.
Other 5% of the time I spend looking for my ^&%^%^%* 20 YO Estwing 20 oz smooth face, straight claw.
Oh yeah, I also have a 28 oz straight claw waffle head for beating stuff apart etc.