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Choices in hammers

20551 Views 66 Replies 44 Participants Last post by  PatChap
It has been a few years since I had to swing a hammer to earn a living. My hammer of choice back then at the time of transition was an Estwing 20 oz hammer that I was able to use for both rough framing and trim work. It was my all around hammer.

I was in a store today and was looking at all of the hammer choices and was amazed at the quality and size of some of them. What are you pro's using these days and why:

Framing?

General Purpose?

Thanks.

I was also surprised to find a tape measure that extended to over 12' before it kinked and fell. Pretty damn good.
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I use a 23 oz Vaughan California Framer for framing. I like the long reach and light weight of the handle. Because of the wood handle it allows me to put all the power at the end of hammer if that makes any sense.

For general use I've got a generic 20 oz Husky. It's got a short handle, smooth face, and rip claw. It gets use doing demo, light framing, finishing and whatever else I might need a hammer for. It's cheap and small which is what I wanted for such abusive work.
I used the estwing 22oz framer for a very long time. Then I went to the 24 oz.

Well after about 12 years, the bottom of the handle split and a chunk broke off. I used it that way for a couple of months, but it had to go.

I looked at the hammers at HD and ended up with a 14oz DEWALT DWHT51135.



I had a buddy of mine helping out a couple weeks ago and he saw it and said, "what'd borrow your wife's hammer?" :laughing:

I don't care, I like the hammer.
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I've been using Stilettos. Wood handled. I have a 14 oz titanium, 21 oz steel, and a 10 oz titanium.

Table Furniture Coffee table


I picked up this Estwing framer:

Claw hammer Tool Antique tool Hammer Stonemason's hammer


When my steel Stiletto did this:

Grass Musical instrument Lawn


I'm thinking about picking up a steel Estwing, because, why not?
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3
I use the Estwings. They work, they take a beating and also double as demo hammers.
I have always been curious just where exactly the term "Rough Framing" is applicable?...:whistling:thumbsup:
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The last two years, I have been using that 28oz. wood handled estwing. I do mostly interior and exterior finish work, just watch the waffle face. I have 6 other forms of estwings too.

I am going to buy one of those one hammers I saw on here, can't remember the name.
I have always been curious just where exactly the term "Rough Framing" is applicable?...:whistling:thumbsup:


?
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My go to hammer is a 32 oz. Snap On dead blow ball pein hammer, but I use a hammer for packing lead or beating bolts out for the most part.
Hart 28 oz with an axe handle. Had it forever. Love that thing.

Have a vaughn 23 for decking/whatnot. Smoothface, also axe handle.

Klein 16 oz for electrical work.

Couple others.

Want to get this soon, well, because.



You can get it here.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010T57QM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Sexiest....Hammer.....Ever.
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Dalluge titanium, best hammer known to man



Wood Tool
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A co-worker let me try his titanium hammer once. I didn't like it.

I know alot of carpenters swear by them, I just don't think I could ever get used to swinging something that light.
Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
A co-worker let me try his titanium hammer once. I didn't like it.

I know alot of carpenters swear by them, I just don't think I could ever get used to swinging something that light.
Don't really use a hammer anymore, since nailguns. But I go back before nailguns and used a 24oz Vaughn
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Lowe's Kobalt hammers. Lifetime replacement warranty! :)
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Ive got so many hammer but the one I always use is my Stanley Anti-Vibe 20oz with a curved claw. I've had it from the start and its still my go to hammer. However, I do have other 16oz with curve claw and a few 20oz with a rip clap. However the comfort isn't there with the other ones.
I have always been curious just where exactly the term "Rough Framing" is applicable?...:whistling:thumbsup:
In Mexico
16oz estwing for trim and general duty.

17oz dewalt ax handle for framing

22oz vaun for whatever
I've had carpal tunnel surgery and also have screws and plates in my wrist/hand on my hammer swinging arm.

What is the best hammer to buy to reduce wrist impact? Truthfully I don't care about cost, just can't handle the pain with every swing and I don't take any pain relievers.

Sorry to hijack the thread.
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