Replies

1. 
   Ross_Welsh | Oct 22, 2001 06:43am | #1

   *
   Nanuk:

   I have wondered about this myself. I was always taught that force = mass x acceleration. In other words, with a light hammer you must accelerate it faster in order to equal a heavy hammer swung slower. A 12oz Ti hammer weighs 12oz and I think it would behave like most other 12oz hammers. The head has a relatively large volume so the face would be bigger, maybe that helps. I don't see the logic but I haven't swung one either. Maybe someone who has used one will speak up.

   Ross

1. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Oct 22, 2001 02:48pm | #2

   *Ross...thats the deal...big head...with small head weight...also...longer handle than your standard 12oz.near the stream,ajLastly...big time marketing hoopla!!!

1. 
   dan_lawson | Oct 25, 2001 05:27am | #3

   *Less weight= more velocity. Also Titaniun is a verry resiliant metal, you get a type of spring affect, almost like the nail is bouncing off the head. The first thing I noticed was the increase in the velocity of my swing. I believe this also helps in driving the nail. I'm happy with mine , If no one around you uses one, that you could try, then it's up to you. A coworker of mine bought one and I gave it a go, I liked it soo much that I bought one on my way home from work. People are afraid of the price tag but, everyone on my site that has made the plunge is happy that they did. my 2 cents

1. 
   SamD_ | Oct 25, 2001 02:38pm | #4

   *If I wanted a light hammer, I'd just buy a light, steel, hammer. No need to buy a Titanium hammer to make it light (within reason). As for that "spring" effect, unless that head has a spring behind it, the only thing you're feeling is the light weight. I'm with AJ on this one: b BIG marketing ploy. Sam

1. 
   Keith_C | Oct 25, 2001 04:33pm | #5

   *No marketing ploy, but I will not try to explain it, kinda like sex.......can feel by talking it, gotta EXPERIENCE it.

2. 
   Robert_Weiner | Oct 25, 2001 06:09pm | #6

   *As I recall my physics, there are two factors in play:1) Kinetic energy = MV^2 (mass x velocity-squared). Therefore a 10oz hammer moving 10mph will impart twice as much energy to the nail as a 20oz hammer moving 5mph ( 10 x 100 vs 20 x 25 ). (This does NOT mean that you can get the hammer moving twice as fast, but if you could...)2) Hardness. Suprising fact but harder things bounce more than softer things. This is because less energy is lost in flexing and unflexing. Assuming that the Ti alloy is harder than the steel, it should in theory impart more of the energy of the swing into movement of the nail.My conclusion: This is some really good marketing hype. If you want your hammer head to move faster, get a longer handle. The steel in an estwing has got to be as hard or nearly as hard as titanium.The physics is hard to argue with, the rest is just my opinion. If the tool works well for you... enjoy.-Rob

3. 
   Pro-Dek | Oct 25, 2001 06:11pm | #7

   *I swing a 22oz.Hart Stainless Woody because I like the headweight,the balance and the fact that stainless doen't rust.My second choice would be a Vaughan Ti-tech with the titanium head with a steel replacement striker.Bob

4. 
   SamD_ | Oct 25, 2001 08:37pm | #8

   *As far as hardness is concerned, using Ti doesn't allow any increase in hardness vs using steel or any other alloy. As it stands, only the beta alloys (Ti) allow heat treatment above 200KSI- which much cheaper and less exotic steels will easily achieve. Sam

5. 
   Thomas_Moen | Oct 25, 2001 10:51pm | #9

   *Titanium hoopla is bogus. Light hammer and long handle hoopla is not bogus.There's no reason why you can't have a $30 14-16 ounce steel framing hammer. Its just that nobody makes one, because it won't sell, because us carps have foolishly bought into the titanium B.S.The resilience of titanium is not a factor with hammers. The handle is the thing that absorbs shock.

6. 
   Pro-Dek | Oct 26, 2001 06:06pm | #10

   *As I was saying, the Vaughan TiTech has a 19"wood handle ,an 18 oz titanium head (won't Rust)"Perfect" weight and balance and only $75 bucks.You get what you pay for.You may even save your arm so you can pick up your grandkids.:-)

7. 
   Thomas_Moen | Oct 27, 2001 05:20am | #11

   *Yes, its a small price to pay for saving your arm, but why not a fully steel head? Even stainless is cheaper than Titanium.The lightest steel head framer I've seen is the Vaughn 19oz. If only I liked the handle...

8. 
   piffin_ | Oct 27, 2001 07:37pm | #12

   *I don't understand the concern about rust, Bob. I'ver got thirty year old hammers and work around salt water. They only rust if you don't use them. Mine have that nice sweaty patina. You don't lose them under the decks and go back after a couple rains, do you?;>)

9. 
   Pro-Dek | Oct 27, 2001 10:45pm | #13

   *piffin- I just can't swing the dang thing fast enough to keep the rain off.I like to out shine them all, and I think this is the coolest hammer head made.Bob

10. 
    Doug_Cunningham | Oct 28, 2001 02:41am | #14

    *So, you all think titanium is a big marketing hype eh? Just about everyone who responded with that answer also finished by saying that they never tried one. Hello!! Here's the test: Try nailing off a bunch of 2x4's to a ceiling,(cross furring), with a big fat Estwing. Then try it with Stiletto's Aluminum handled Titanium 14 oz. framing hammer. I'd bet my life on the Stiletto. I know, "If you have to do something like that, you should use an air gun", but it happened to me not long ago due to the unavailability of our compressor, and my buddy and I were so happy to be owners of our Stilettos.Even if your just doing regular framing these things are fantastic. The only drawback is that you shouldn't use titanium to hit hardened steel. As far as the price, the way I see it, I swing a hammer all day long every day, I deserve it. So there.

11. 
    David_Mason | Oct 28, 2001 07:12am | #15

    *Titanium is for girls. If you can't hit hardened steel with it then what good is it? :-)

12. 
    R.Hayes | Oct 28, 2001 03:09pm | #16

    *I bought the 125.00 Ti hammer and thought the feel was excellent. But recently I was working on an after hours job and my guns and compressor were on a jobsite many miles away so my Ti hammer got a good workout. I was modifying some framing on a stair way and was nailing some 16's and some 8's. Well my arm starts to ache(I'm getting old and wimpy} and I pick up my old standby 20-oz. Vaughn with fiberglass 16" handle and don't you know it felt pretty good!! I kept working and the pain subsided to my normal pain level and I started to think I spent too much on a hammer and concluded the 20 oz. Vaugn with long handle is hard to beat(or whatever hammer you already own) in a time where most nailing is done with airguns.rh

13. 
    Doug_Cunningham | Oct 28, 2001 07:13pm | #17

    *TO D.M., Can you drive a philips screw with a flat screwdriver? Can you use a 28' extension ladder inside a house with 8' ceilings? NO! So what's wrong with induldging yourself with a special hammer? Like I said before, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Mr. Hayes having elbow pain is....a..I don't have a good one for that, but I'll think of something! No, really that's too bad. Maybe you could let D.M. try it. If he doesn't like it he can give it to a "girl" he knows.

14. 
    Doug_Irwin | Oct 29, 2001 02:30am | #18

    *I have had a couple Estwing hammers that I favored for the durability also. The best thing I did for my elbows was "lose" them and go with a wood handled hammer. Years of digging post holes with a digging bar didn't help matters but swinging a hammer was getting to be a real chore. If I get in a situation where i'll be driving bunches of nails again a titanium hammer will be considered as an investment in my future health. If I'd only known...

15. 
    David_Mason | Oct 29, 2001 06:42am | #19

    *Doug, you take this hammer thing way too seriously.You have issues.:-)

16. 
    earl_dryden | Oct 30, 2001 03:42pm | #20

    *titanium hammers are great! just like ti bike frames they make you taller, smarter, better looking, and even get the crabgrass out of the lawn. buy one today! you'll feel much better. i know i will.

17. 
    Pro-Dek | Oct 30, 2001 07:49pm | #21

    *Make the nail Bleed!

18. 
    The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Oct 31, 2001 02:59am | #22

    *Mr Deckadence....You are AOK with Mr Nanuke...near the stream,aj

19. 
    r__ignacki | Oct 31, 2001 05:15am | #23

    *Damn, just goes to show, ya gotta read the thread. When I saw the discussion title I thought y'alls were talking about something from tiawan.

20. 
    Doug_Cunningham | Nov 01, 2001 02:31am | #24

    *David, You're right! I must have titanium poisoning!

21. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 01, 2001 03:41am | #25

    *No Doug,I must have titanium poisoning.I collect the dang things.This is the titanium "fan" club(s).Bob

22. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 01, 2001 03:43am | #26

    *You guys really need to swing that longstick Vaughan Titech, it is really sweet.

23. 
    Alan_Ray | Nov 01, 2001 08:40pm | #27

    *Hey Pro - Those sure are pretty. They all look brand new, no scratches, no paint scuffs on the handles, etc. What gives?he he he

24. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 01, 2001 09:32pm | #28

    *Alan Ray-Some collectors items are worth more if they don't get used.Someday my grandkids kids will retire on what these beauties will be worth.Till then, I get to enjoy holding,swinging,and displaying them in my home office.

25. 
    Alan_Ray | Nov 01, 2001 10:03pm | #29

    *Pro - I understand completely. I have some collector snow shovels that are in the same category. Twenty years old and never used!

26. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 01, 2001 10:34pm | #30

    *Alan-Global Warming!Haven't used mine much either.heheBob

27. 
    Keith_C | Nov 02, 2001 01:44am | #31

    *Wasn't there a story about some nut in FHB years ago who collected hammers? Didn't he have 5000 or something in racks in his basement?

28. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 02, 2001 05:21am | #32

    *Kieth-Now that's alot of hammers.I'll try to keep my collection under 100.I buy most of them for weight,balance, and uniqueness.Bob

29. 
    Thomas_Moen | Nov 02, 2001 06:24am | #33

    *For the record, I've tried Stilletos. Tried them all day building walls, tried them all day doing pickup, tried them as a finish hammer, you name it. Its a very nice tool, every bit as good as people say. But it doesn't HAVE to be titanium. That's my point you big numbskull.

30. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 02, 2001 09:19am | #34

    *OK Thomas! who you callin a Numbskull? I think I told you to go buy a Dalluge 21 oz. about a year ago.Did you do it, or are you still complaining about instore demos.If you would read the post my favorite hammer is the STAINLESS Hart Woody.I don't recall anyone saying it "HAD" to be titanium you space cadet.Now go BUY this meat tenderizer and stop complainin.

31. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 02, 2001 09:26am | #35

    *Here is the Steel hammer you should swing

32. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 02, 2001 09:27am | #36

    *Here's the one I swing

33. 
    Keith_C | Nov 02, 2001 01:56pm | #37

    *I love the Stiletto, but I don't carry it for the feel and swing alone, I like the feather weight for when it's not in my hand but in my toolbelt. My oxy's are heavy enough by themselves, by the time you throw in a handfull of 12's and 8's, speedsquare, chisel, knife, 30' tape, chaulkbox, it's trying to drag my drawers to the floor.......doing anything to save some weight!

34. 
    The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Nov 02, 2001 03:07pm | #38

    *Another admission... of use... of the....EVIL... SPEED SQUARE! Go to time out now Keith...and build the required hip roofed dog house...with the provide framers...square.near the stream,aj SSCA founding member

35. 
    SamD_ | Nov 02, 2001 03:34pm | #39

    *Is nothing sacred? Aj, have you misplaced your morals and convictions? The speed square? No longer will I bow to you..... Sam

36. 
    Keith_C | Nov 02, 2001 07:09pm | #40

    *I use one of those rosewood handled squares with the 1-1/2" blade for layout, and love it, but I can't find a good place to put it. It falls out every time I'm walking walls and leaning over to mark things. The speed square on the other hand stays put, cause oxy made a place for it between the big and small bag.(I don't want to kill someone from above with my antique layout square) And I can use a framing square with the best of them, but when not doing stairs or cut up roofs, why get it out?

37. 
    Thomas_Moen | Nov 05, 2001 10:54pm | #41

    *Didn't mean to reply to you. It was for Doug Cunningham's post#14. But thanks for the funny reply. Space cadet....lol. Never did buy the Dalluge, but would have if my supplier had the smooth face ones instead of the thumberizers. I'll order it from him next time I buy a bunch of stuff. In the meantime, I still like my 21oz. Hart smooth face.Oh and about the Ti myth....seems like most people think a 16oz framing hammer has to be Titanium, and it just ain't so. Ti is what's AVAILABLE. If you recall, I have the stainless Hart Woody, but I set it aside after I had a hard time with tennis elbow. Changed back to the 21oz Hart, and presto.

38. 
    Thomas_Moen | Nov 05, 2001 10:58pm | #42

    *How much do you swing that hammer, Bob? Or do you have about 20 more of them in your hammer bunker? Mine looks a lot more used. Completely smooth faced now, but I guess that's because of the softer stainless.

39. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 06, 2001 06:08pm | #43

    *Thomas- I swing one alot- the other is for my collection.I just re-filed the head of my old one because it was smooth from use.Concerning fingers,Thomas,HIT THE NAIL!heheBob

40. 
    Scott_R | Nov 06, 2001 07:23pm | #44

    *My brother gave me a Ti hammer for Christmas last year. He is the manager of a large hardware store so I don't know if it was given to the store as a demo or what. I just don't see him spending $80 on me.At first glance I was very skeptical, I thought it would collect dust in my toolbox. It didn't take long before it became as permanent in my tool belt as a tape and pencil. Compared to my 28 oz framer it takes one extra tap to seat a 16d. Something I can't do with the 28 that I can with the Ti, is use it on overhead horizontals all day!Now that I use one I see the steel hammer vs. Ti similar to my Grandfathers era, folding rules vs. tapes. Scott R.

41. 
    Keith_C | Nov 07, 2001 01:18am | #45

    *Just saw the new T-Bone from Stiletto in JLC......I have got to get one of those(although I'm a wooden handle kind of guy) . $165 for a hammer ain't so bad. I've pissed way more than that down the drain in beer.

42. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 07, 2001 05:21am | #46

    *Keith- was the new Ti-Bone in the JLC magazine ? I couldn't find it on their website. I've been waiting months to see and buy that thing. The Stiletto website doesn't even post a picture of it.Tell me how to see it-PLEASE!Bob

43. 
    Keith_C | Nov 07, 2001 05:32am | #47

    *It ain't on the website yet, but the Journal Of Light Construction came today(November page 72), and it's in the new products section, and it is cool. All cast titanium(handle and all, one piece) open head design, slots in neck, side nail puller(ala Douglas) replaceable, removeable steel face. Straight claws, did I mention the open head, wow that looks good. She is one sexy bitch.

44. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 07, 2001 05:34am | #48

    *Keith-Just scan it and post it-PLEASE!

45. 
    Pro-Dek | Nov 07, 2001 05:41am | #49

    *Comon Keith-Just scan the page and post it here will ya? I'm emailin Stiletto now - that sucks that they don't have a picture on their website but you get to see it in a magazine before me.I'm jealous !Bob

46. 
    Keith_C | Nov 07, 2001 05:48am | #50

    *Scanner is at the office/shop(and bendy Wendy secretary is the one who knows how to work it) I'm at home with the laptop in my easy chair.....just staring at that hammer. I wonder if I e-mail them , they'll get me one out fast. I AM a previous customer.

47. 
    Doug_Cunningham | Nov 08, 2001 06:27am | #51

    *Oh man, do I feel stupid. I just emailed Stiletto and told them that I was their best customer, and could they send me one of those T-Bones! I saw it in the JLC wanted it too! I guess I'm not the only nut in the tree.

48. 
    Jack_Cheasty | Nov 12, 2001 06:22pm | #52

    *I just finished the re-roofing of a 1200SF home. I used a coil nailer and it went fast. A pro on the job used an Estwing shingler's hammer with a blunted hatchet on the end opposite the hammer face. The hatchet end had a bolt of some sort in the blade and the hammer also had a small attached blade screwed onto it. As a total novice, I wouild like to know what the function is of the bolt and attached blade.

49. 
    Keith_C | Nov 12, 2001 06:32pm | #53

    *Bolt is a guage to measure shingle exposure, blade is just a blade to cut shingles(although I don't know anyone who uses the blade)

50. 
    Stephen_Hazlett | Nov 13, 2001 04:01pm | #54

    *the most important thing you can do with an Estwing roofing hatchet is throw that stupid blade away before you seriously cut the living shit out of your leg or kidney while climbing ladders or crawling around under eaves or behind a chimney.they are a great hatchet---I use one myself for repair work and setting mis-driven gun nails.The steel handle makes speed in production hand nailing a lot harder to maintain than a wood handle.

51. 
    Treetalk_ | Nov 16, 2001 03:27am | #55

    *Speaking of accidents waiting to happen we all thought those big lugs/monster hook things would be cool but soon found out they'll catch on everything the worst being the sides of ladders.

52. 
    MassDriver | Nov 22, 2001 12:04pm | #56

    *I use the Stilleto Ti. Ti has well known vibration and shock damping characteristics (ask a bike guy, he will tell you) and when you use these hammers you can really feel the difference. I was brought up piece framing with a 32 ounce Vaughn. Since you are always bent over, you just sort of drop it on the nail. AS for using a small hammer; for framing you need a serious framing tool, and these hammers fit the bill. A little tiny finish hammer just wont do the job. You get the benifit of a true framers tool, with the bonus of lightwieght when swing over your head, and carrying it around all day on your butt. I have also found that I have been gripping this hammer right at the very end, all the time, just like you are supposed too..

53. 
    Mike_Smith | Nov 22, 2001 07:34pm | #57

    *that's it.. happy thanksgiving.. i couldn't stay out anymore.. here's my two.. the stilletto with the polymer handle 16 oz. framer..then the steel 24 oz plumb it replaced..then my 1973 Plumb finish / utility hammer.. and my yamaguchi on the right..

54. 
    Mike_Smith | Nov 22, 2001 07:38pm | #58

    *the 16 oz. plumb is still my favorite.. bought i t for my wife when we were building our first home in '73... see the nick on the side.. ? that piece of steel came exploding out on the first day..she hasn't been able to get her hammer back...i did return her iron & sewing machine though.. the other thing i bought for her is this nikon cool pic.. she ain't seen it since day one either....

2. 
   Nanuk_ | Nov 22, 2001 07:38pm | #59

   *
   Okay, gotta a question for everyone. I use an Estwing hammer just 'cause I like it and it's practically indestructable. Also really like the Vaughn's. But, what about these new Titanium hammers? I realize that Titanium is very strong, but it's also very light. Seems to me that part of the driving capability of a hammer is not only the hardness of its steel, but also the weight of it. I know the titanium hammer will wear well, but how well can a 12 oz. hammer drive a nail compared to a 22 oz. hammer. Seems that it would be lacking a certain amount of momentum to drive the nail. Hoping anyone can give me their input on this as I might be totally wrong. Never used one.