Hello all, I have the opportunity to volunteer with building 3 Habitat for Humanity homes this summer. I’ve been out a few days already and have enjoyed the work thoroughly however I have an older fiberglass framing hammer that has seen better days and I’d like to replace it. One of the lead hands on site suggested I don’t use it to pull any nails as they’ve had many of their fiberglass models break from this stress.
Any recommendations? Steel? Fiberglass? 14inches? 16? How many ounces? I have seen the new Estwing ‘forward design’ model which looks interesting (as seen in FHB) however it is a fiberglass model. I’ve heard of too many problems from pro framers stating the fiberglass hammers have a tendency to break down and fray after prolonged use leaving dangerous slivers in your hands.
I’m not a framer by profession but I’m trying to get as much experience as I can. From all the models available at the tool store, it seems buying a hammer isn’t such an easy choice. Oh ya, I saw the $300 titanium ‘Stilleto’ framing hammer the other day….yikes!
Thanks in advance,
Mike.
Replies
The hammer man here is Pro-Dek...
Might wanna put in a call for him...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Just saw a post from June 16th asking about the new 'weight forward' hammer from Estwing. That model seems to be ruled out...
There's a hammer call fer ya...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
My son got me one of those to hang on the wall.............I won't do it
That is the dumbest, ugliest, poorest balanced, narrowest headed, homeowner tool I have ever seen or held in my hand.
Other than that it's pretty unique.............."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
LOL- Hammerman?
It's called a hammerfan...............
The Deathstick is junk, the cool inlaid skull and crossbones fall out on the first blow,
Lots of warranty claims on the Stiletto
The Vaughan Ti-tech is sweet but the washer between the striker should be Teflon not rubber
Dalluge is great but will be hard to get now that Vaughan owns them
Hart and Dead on are now owned by Maasdam Power Pull which makes fence pullers so now we will have hammers with ratchets.........:-)
I'm up to 46 hammers now............
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
ProDek,
Is that the original wood on that 11 year old Douglas?
I'm trying to catch you, but don't think that's gonna happen. I've got 24 or 25 (haven't counted lately) beauties and still collecting. My problem is that I can't help myself and end up taking them to work "just for a day or two" to give 'em a whirl. Daily hammer is a 4 year old first generation (I think) Stiletto titanium Ruger. On probably it's 6th or 7th piece of hickory.
Great looking collection, and I agree about the Death Stick hammers. But their "Exhumer" nail puller is a must have in my Occi's.
Yup! That's the original handle. I grooved it on my bench grinder to make it less slippery.
Diesel! Don't go bangin up your collection, Nobody want's a used Barbie Doll do they?
Keep them shiny and on the wall. Buy two and bang one..............
Oh, I just got my Stiletto Titanium catspaw........It looks dang cool hangin from my Occi's...............
Dress for success they always say....................:-)
How do you keep breaking your handles? Are you missin the mark? Put a little more toe on the nail!....................hehehe"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
All the finger / thumb bashin' goin' on here and now you suggest to go for the toes....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
The hickory tapers down fairly narrow where it enters the head on the Stilletto compared to most other traditional framers like Vaughn. But you already knew that. Can't say it's due to overstrike, always seems to happen when I'm doing something I should be using a cat's paw or wonderbar for. Doesn't bother me much. Most handles last maybe 6 months if I get 'em seated right. Always have a couple on the truck just in case anywho. Pulling temporary 2X bracing out of the walls is probably the biggest culprit. I also use those rubber sleeves on the hickory that are available over at Stilletto's website.
What's your favorite? I think the best looking hammer I own is a Dalluge 26oz framer. The head is so polished (came that way) that it looks more like chrome than steel. Best swinging steel hammer I've ever used was the 25oz hickory handled Estwing. Most only know Estwing for their steel hammers, but they make some fantastic wood handled framers as well. My elbow loves the Stilletto though.
You aint got nothing till you've got one of these babies.Who Dares Wins.
ROTF.........Gunner is that some kind of birdhouse hammer?..............LOL
Where's my link?
Thanks for the photo link I'll give it a try......."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I emailed the link to you. That's a thirteen ounce Bluegrass with sticker and all, never been used.Who Dares Wins.
Hey Gunner, what's the big deal with the Bluegrass hammers anyway? I know they aren't making 'em anymore, but other than that, is there a reason why everyone's so hot to get their hands on 'em? I've watched 'em on Ebay for a year or so, but never took the bait. Enlighten me, would ya?
They have a very good balance, and just feel good in your hand. I've got a couple of thirteens a sixteen, and a twenty two. I like the sixteen the best of the batch. I use it for trim work and stuff like that. It's just smooth to work with, and becomes a part of your hand.
The twenty needs a longer handle but I'm used to the long handle on my Douglas so I guess I'm spoiled. They're just good feeling hammers. The funny thing is they must have just stumbled on the right formula cause there's no bells and whistles at all on them, but then again back then everyone just wanted to work and that was it.
Jim Blodget e-mailed me the coolest story about his bluegrass hammer experiance last year and I didn't save it. It would be nice if he would stop by and re tell it here.Who Dares Wins.
I agree here is my 16oz Blue Grass I bought in 1978. I use this hammer on trim and in the shop only. The Estwing I use on most everything else. But I use the Plumb on rough and frame. I found the Estwing in the parking lot while leaving a midnight shift at a union refinery turn-around job. I would never have bought an Estwing, glad I found it. I like it a lot but nothig feels as good as the Blue Grass
Word.Who Dares Wins.
In the summer 1972 I was a 19 year old working for my uncle in San Francisco. I was the site laborer,(carpenter union wouldn't let me in). My job was to see to it that none of the carpenters walked more than 3 feet for anything.
While admiring the speed of the framers one day, one of them offered to show me how to drive a 16d nail in one lick. Believe me you ain't seen nothin till you've watched a mellowed out frame crew driving nails at lightning speed.
He handed me his 28oz Vaughn corrugated headed hammer that had a long leathered strapped handle.
"Press the 16d into the plate firmly and swing a mighty swing. Just at the moment you make contact let the nail go and move your hand back," he said. And I did, and that nail stopped about 1/8" short of sunk. I received applause and was told if I could do that consistently they would put me on their crew and teach me more.
So I swung again boasting that it was no problem. As I pulled my hand away the 28oz Vaughn hit a glancing blow. I still sunk the nail but the last 1"" was bent over the first joint of my left hands index finger pinning it to the plate as the corrugated face proceeded to peal off my finger nail!
They would not help me, saying it builds character. They handed me the hammer I dropped and I pried my myself free.
They offered the position once my finger healed but I decide once like that was my fault if I ever did that again it just might kill me.
For a long time the site of a Vaughn hammer made me sick.
I was talking to a friend about the hammer postings and showed him my Blue Grass. I noticed I was wrong about the weight. It's a BG47-13 D. I miss spoke calling it a 16oz. He asked why I didn't keep it cleaner. I told him like me it reflects lifes abuse, every nick has a memory.
Anyone know what the D stands for?
Edited 7/4/2004 1:54 pm ET by JAGWAH
Edited 7/4/2004 1:55 pm ET by JAGWAH
All this Bluegrass talk made me splurge for another one. I found this brand new 16 oz. on ebay and before I could jerk my hand back it hit the "buy now" option. So I guess I have another. I'm slowly working towards a nice display.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6106420917&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6Who Dares Wins.
Thanks everyone for the posts and pics! Doesn't sound like anyone is using a fiberglass model, nevermind the new Estwing model. Also, I had never thought of checking ebay out until someone had mentioned it here..good idea. Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming FHB has written articles or reviews on hammers - can anyone recommed a particular issue? Thanks again...
Mike
Most of those hammers don't even look used. I use a hart deck hammer with a smooth face and love it. I drilled a few shallow holes in the handle then sanded it smooth for the sweat thing. I have 4 Estwings but they never leave the box.
None of those hammers have hit a nail.........just hanging on the wall"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Stilleto makes titanium ones that don't cost three hundred dollars. You can get them for seventy or eighty. The guys that have them swear by them I don't have one myself but probably will soon enough.
The one I do have is a Douglas 23 oz. framer. I love it. It's balanced well and feels natural in your hand. And when you hit something with it, it stays hit.
Here's a picture of one. I recomend grooving the handle so it doesn't slip when your hands get sweaty. If you want I'll post a picture of mine so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. Just let me know.
Who Dares Wins.
Here is another sweet bang for the buck................
The head is forged in Mexico and the hammer assembled here..
It's called the Hunter hammer.........Real nice polished head with an overstrike protector.........Here is the link.....
http://www.fantastic-tools.com/pages/drywall_hammer.htm
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Cool. I found a 28 oz. Bluegrass framing hammer on ebay. Brand new still has the stickers. Want the link?Who Dares Wins.
Hook me up with the bluegrass................"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
LOL! Imerc, Hammer call indeed...............
Gunnner is right, you don't need a $200 hammer to frame, it just looks really sweet hanging from your bags.........
Thomas Douglas Coonrad designed the original split handle design "Hart Woody"
You can buy his hammer from this link http://www.douglastool.com/
I would recommend the 22 or 23 oz for framing.
Here is a shot of my 11 year old Woody 22oz. Sorry for the file size, I don't know how to resize these pictures.........
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Irfanview is your friend.Who Dares Wins.
How do you do that? what's irfanview? I want one............."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
http://www.irfanview.com/
It's a program for editing pictures. You can fix the color and everything. Download it and play with it. it literaly took me less than five minutes to figure out what to do. Who Dares Wins.
I finally welded the claw back on my Hart..really pizzed me off that it broke..
They need to warrent them
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
That's the new "Strongback by" Hart.........Not very.........it looks like.
Did you try to take it back? E that picture to them and see if they won't help you out .
It's always worth a try..........
Don't forget to use that crowbar next time..............:-)
I know, the crowbar was clear out in the truck and the pryin had to be done now........:-)
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Bob, I was lucky I found the pc. to weld back on..yup, tried to side pry out a good size cutnail in a log about 175 yrs. old.
PING and no more claw..don't know who to email a pic to..I looked on the web and I think they are no longer in biz?
It sez "woody" on it..
and to think I swapped my buddy my "original" Hart Woody for it..he thought this one was too heavy, so we swapped to see if he liked mine better..then I moved to KY and never got a chance to get it back..
Anywho..I take it easy on the weld, see how long it lasts..I am not a great welder but it looks pretty good.
lemme know if ya know who to contact..I had about given up. Also , read some bad reviews about that prob. on amazon I think..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
here's my titanium stilletto.. a 16oz...
then a 22 oz. plumb
and a 16 oz. plumb..
and my extractorMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike, What kind of handle do you have on that Stiletto?
You need to clean and stain that deck before the Fest.
It's OK, you have lot's of time..................
Hehehee"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
bob.... will do !...
the stilletto handle is some kind of a polymer.. bought it about two years ago... haven't seen another one like itMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Michael
I have the exact same white and black hammer you do.
HAd it for yearssss but rarely use it since I scored my Douglas.
The Douglas is the best hammer I ever owned and only $65.
Wish I was taller though cause the handle always hits the stairs when I walk down em...lol.
I also just bought the nail exhumer from Deluth Trading Co.....another fantastic inexpensive tool.
Be well
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Ya gotta get yurself Irfanview and deal with thoes pics for us Neandethal types on dial up... ROAR!!!
http://www.irfanview.com
The hammers I got are just some iron stuck on a stick.. If I need to park any more than 2 or 3 nails I lite up the technology..
BTW it's the guy upstairs from me that's looking for a new war club...
Thanks for the help Bob...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
BTW
View Image
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
Edited 7/3/2004 10:29 pm ET by IMERC
When I began work as a framing carpenter, I just had a 16 oz. hammer and my boss had a big Estwing (28 oz., I think)--looked like a small axe. I said I guess I needed a bigger hammer and he said not to do it. Told me I'd get tennis elbow if I started with a heavy hammer. I think he was right. Until you've used a hammer day in and day out, I'd stick with something on the light side--maybe not as light as 16 oz., but not too heavy. Guess it also depends on how much shock the handle absorbs. The boss borrowed my hammer once in a while for tight spaces.
When I first started out I had some no-brand name hammer. One evening we were working late, it was getting dark and the boss told me to break the bands on a bunker of plywood. I'm whaling away on the bands and they're not breaking. The boss, not ever known for being patient wonders what the heck I'm doing. I hold my hammer up to the light and see the claw is bent over! I showed the boss and his remark was, "That's obviously not a Stanley!" Borrowed his Estwing and broke the bands first hit. Next day I found a Stanley hammer I'd had and just hadn't been using. I still use it, though for heavy work, nailing trusses or pressure treated landscape timbers and so on, I bought a heavier Vaughn with a waffle face and longer handle. I like the handle because it's wood and has a curve like an axe. Nice balance. I broke the claw on it trying to pull a pole barn spike, but sent it back to Vaughn and they sent me a new one free.
I wonder about those weight-forward weird looking hammers being able to reach over stuff to strike. Seems like the head doesn't stick out enough.
Yeah, I'd agree with myself. Stick with something in the 18-20 oz range and with a relatively short handle (compared to the 18-20 inch handles you see on many of the fancy hammers). You need a hair more weight than 16 oz to efficiently drive 16-20d nails, but you'll wear yourself out and reck your arm if you start with 24-28 oz. And until you develop an aim you need a shorter handle.
Any of this help???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I bought a 20 oz Stanley Steelmaster with my first paycheck back in 1976. Finally broke two years ago. Damn near cried! I gave it a fitting "burial" inside a garage roof overhang. Stood at the hammer display for an hour trying to find another one. Finally bought another 20 oz Stanley. I like a 20 oz smmoth faced hammer. I use it for framing and trim both. Can't trim with a 24 oz waffle head framer and can't frame with a 16 oz.
Mark
Mike-
I have a 23oz Douglas and I love it. It has several great features. The way the head is attached make it difficult to break a handle pulling nails. The waffle face is inverted so you don't rip open a thumb when you hit it ( it still hurts though ). There is a magnet and grove on the face so you can start nails you wouldn't normally be able to reach. It has a nail puller on the side to give you more leverage.
I am a carpenter by trade but have volunteered to serve as a project manager for a HFH house. I have to keep an eye on my hammer though as many of the other volunteers are jealous!
You won't regret the purchase.
Mark
Thanks for the reply Mark. We ran into a few problems with having to move a joist hanger (3 times one day!!!!) after they were nailed in with about 20 nails. Needless to say, I wasn't about to use my fiberglass hammer for any of the pulling but the cats paw and one of the steel Estwings did the trick.
Mike
Mike-
We have had our share of problems too. Some of the critical dimensions on our plans were off so we have done a lot of head scratching and changing door openings. I was out of town when the roof went on and somehow the drip edge got put on upside down. It took several guys most of the next Saturday to fix.
It is a job just to keep people busy and keep things moving along. But it is something I would do again in a heartbeat. The homeowner is wonderful. She works very hard every weekend.
MarkYes, I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.
I'll have to look at your profile--sounds like a job I was on! The boss was always in a hurry and rather than actually think it through, he'd shoot from the hip and take a WAG and we'd nail it all down and not until we'd nailed the last fricken hanger he'd decide to move each joist 6" or a foot or whatever. I was always puzzled why we never had enough time to do something right, but always had enough time to do it over. The Mike I worked with, BTW, had a fun experience once when setting the bottom half of piggyback trusses. They dominoed and he ran across the tops ahead of "the wave" and jumped out into the yard and wasn't hurt!
Hi Dan..thanks for the post. This is the first time I've volunteered with HFH up here in Sask., Canada. I've been spending so much time the last couple years doing interior renos that I thought I should get some experience with the framing/guts of it all and have been enjoying it immensely so far. My only complaint is that I don't have enough time to spend on site with my current obligations.
Mike
My suggestion would be a wood handle. It's a lot easier on the tendons in your elbow than any other type of material. As to shape and length, I prefer an axe-handle type; I find it makes a big difference in how tired my forearm muscles feel at the end of the day. For weight, you ought to have something in the low 20's; those big 28 and 30 ouncers will give you more trouble than benefit in the short run.
Here's a pic of my best framing hammer; this is a Mastercraft 21oz FatHead framer. Not sure who makes it for them; anybody recognize the pattern? I figure it's most likely by Vaughan, possibly Estwing. This is the most perfectly balanced hammer I've ever swung; it feels like it's part of my arm.
If you want a straight handle job, I've got a Vaughan CF-1 with a 20" wood handle that's essentially brand new. I bought it for DW a few years back to make up for some imagined misdeed. I think she drove three nails with it; then she left it here when she buggered off last year.... Letcha have it right cheap. See the second pic.
I sure can't compete with Pro Dek, but the third pic shows the whole family--all except for my Grandfather's 16-oz vertical curve claw, bulls-eye-faced hammer which I couldn't find when I shot these pics earlier tonight. The little 5-oz hammer on the right end of the fan is my son's own 'real hammer'--he did the taping job on it, too, when he was 4 years old. He's six now--and there's not a nail under 2½ inches that's safe from him....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Many have mentioned to score or groove the handle for better gripping. Someone even took the time to drill shallow dimples into the handle for a better grip. I believe Dinosaur's last post was the first one that used tape (not electrical or duct) to improve grip. Even had photos!
So, does anyone else use tape? I am guessing it's the type used on squash and tennis raquets. As long as it's not the furry type, I think it would be ideal. It would also be usefull to improve the diameter of the handle to best fit your hand.
Any thoughts?
F.
Hockey tape is probably better than racket tape. Better adhesion and it wears better, plus it's dirt cheap. The only trick is that you have to find a fresh roll -- the stuff goes bad after 6-12 months on the roll (though it can last years once applied).
I don't use it on hammers (yet) but use it on my bike handlebar.
I don't like Tape or rubber handles because it keeps the hammer from slipping into the loop when you're trying to holster it. If you like a taped handle here is a link for handle wrap. http://store.stilettotools.com/Detail.bok?no=3"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Got that.
Now to confirm something else: You also don't care for/ wouldn't walk a mile for the Stiletto $200 hammer. Their $80 hammer is plenty for you. Is that accurate? I just bought a Douglas 23oz. and am waiting for it to arrive. Maybe tomorrow. I was considering the Vaughan because it has the interchangable heads, but how often am I really going to change them?
Ordered the waffle head Douglas and now need a smooth head unit. Vaughan or Stiletto - both titaniums? Both the same price. And I'm pretty sure both have nail holders. Don't know how often I'll use that feature.
F.
Frankie
The douglas rocks hard bro.
Best hammer I ever used.
Just something esthically pleasing about it in my hand.
I don't even pick up my Estwing anymore.
Far as interchangable heads......like yer not gonna loose one of em', yeh sure.....lol.or like its really necessary.
Be pounding hard
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Looking forward to pounding my Douglas.
Looking forward to pounding..... with my Douglas.
I am looking forward. I will be pounding. I will be using a Douglas 23oz., waffle head.
Ugh! Too much free/ wasteing time!
F.
You won't need a smooth face hammer if you stick with the Douglas.
It has a recessed waffle..............
I've always used a waffle, even for finish work, you set the nail with a nail set not the head of the hammer............Swing easy!
The nail holder thing is just a "too late" gimmick not too many of us use since we have nail guns. It would have been sweet before pneumatic nailers.
The nicest smooth face hammer is the 20 oz. Dalluge pronounced "DuhLooGee". the face of the striker has like a Teflon coating to eliminate nail slip.
Now get out there and bang on some wood! "Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
isn't teflon kinda slippery? I use it in raw rods, 1/4'' diam. and it shure is slick,, a few dots for feet on say a table and ZOOM ya can't cut a steak without the table walking..just curious.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
OK, maybe Teflon is slippery but whatever it is on the head of this hammer makes it less slippery than smooth steel."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Is that you I see in the reflection of the hammer using a nail gun???
Lol.
In a few more years you'll have a circle of nail guns.
Be pounding it hard bro
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
LOL Andy, yup that's me in that shiny hammer. I don't think I'll start collecting Hitachi's, I don't care for that color of green, what little green is left on them.
Besides they never wear out........
watch your fingers.........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I've always used a waffle, even for finish work, you set the nail with a nail set not the head of the hammer............Swing easy!
Me too.... But ta ... er... OOPS!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
Anyone know Dalluge's website? I can't seem to find it. A local lumberyard sells a Dalluge titanium hammer that seems a little nicer than the Stilettos.
I don't know the Dalluge website, but I have the 16 oz. titanium hammer and it is a jewel. They are nail driving son of a guns. The way they are balanced puts more of the head weight into the swing.(or something like that.) I can't describe it, but I know the Dalluge is a REAL good hammer.
Vaughan bought out Dalluge and Dalluge no longer has a website. You can still get Dalluge hammers through your local Vaughan Rep thru your local lumber yard. "Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I bought some tape from a sports shop like is supposed to be used on rackets and put it on my hammer. Only problem was it wouldn't stay stuck, so I used duct tape at the top and bottom. It worked well and I liked the feel. The duct tape has since worn away, but the other tape is still on tight. A guy asked to borrow my hammer once and I threw it to him. When he caught it he said, "What's this, a toy hammer?" But he used it. Works for me (and I guess I don't have to worry about anyone "borrowing" it permanently).
Frankie--
The tape I use is cloth Hockey tape, which is very similar to the old-fashioned friction tape my dad used to wrap on his tool handles and my baseball bats.... You definitely do not want to use pvc electrical tape or duct tape, except in an emergency to hold a cracked handle together temporarily. They are much too slippery.
When you wrap it on, you should start at the bottom, wrap UP one layer to the top of the grip area, then DOWN AGAIN to the bottom.
If you can't find it at any sporting goods stores like Paragon, try the pro shop at Sky Rink over on W. 33rd street. Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Dino
Nice hammers but an ashtray with butts in em?
I never took someone like you as a smoker...those are butts, right?The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Hi Dinosaur, thanks for the pics, the info and the offer. I'll keep you posted...
I'll be here.Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Hammers . . .
If you are young, you can buy a big heavy Manly Hammer and use it until you have carpenter's elbow. At that point you switch to titanium or switch trades. Of course, you could just "cut to the chase" and go titanium. I can frame all day and not feel it in the carpenter's elbow the next day. Yes, it does make a difference.
Our Habitat crew leaders like the titanium hammers. Most have Stilleto. I have four of them, but then I am the ToolBear. The chiropractors on the crew recommend the curved handle as better for the wrist. They are right.
For the money, I would buy the Dalluge Sweet 16 ti. hammer. Two more ounces than the normal 14 oz. Stilleto. Orco carries them in stock - at least in Orange County, CA. Watched my super sink nails in 2 licks with the 16. He liked it.