Choosing the Best Hammer for the Job

One of the best construction tips for choosing the best hammer for a construction job comes down to touch and texture, i.e., how the tool feels in your hands. So, if you are looking for a hammer for a particular task, you cannot use any random hammer – you must opt for the appropriate tool.

Types of Hammers You Can Go For

Here are some of the common hammers you can come across on a construction site:

Claw Hammer

This is the standard hammer that you will find in every toolbox. It weighs 16 ounces and has a curved claw at the base, ideal for pulling nails from wood and other surfaces.

Sledge Hammer

This hammer is quite large and heavy enough to break concrete easily. It can weigh anywhere from two to 12 pounds.

Hand-drilling Hammer

This hammer is typically used with chisels to cut bricks. It is also used on construction sites to drive concrete nails down.

Framing Hammer

Also known as a ‘ripping’ hammer – generally used for rough construction work. A waffle-faced framing hammer is typically used for rough framing because of its coarse face and weight. The face bites into the nail head, and the weight drives it in. You can find framing hammers that are up to 28 ounces in weight.

Mallet

Mallets are heavy-duty hammers used to drive in chisels and apply force to fragile areas.

Ball Pein Hammer

These hammers are used for round edges, metalworking, riveting, and punching. Ball pein hammers have a hard face on one side and a ball on the other, thus the name. It is available for up to 48 ounces.

Club Hammer

Club hammers have a short handle and are ideal for situations that require strength but have limited space. That makes them great for demolition jobs and driving stakes or chisels into surfaces.

Roofing Hatchet

Roofing hatchets are hammers that are used to drive nails into shingles. You can cut, place, and nail shingles with a single hammer.

Types of Handles

One of the best construction tips regarding hammers has to do with their handles. The type of handle can affect a hammer’s strength, comfort, and function. Wood and fiberglass are popular. The former absorbs shocks well and is well-balanced. However, it may shrink and warp with age and exposure to elements.

Fiberglass handles are highly durable, but they aren’t as shock absorbent compared to wooden handled hammers. A hammer with anti-vibration technology and a fiberglass handle can last for years.

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