Hi All,
First off it’s great to be back sorta…I had basically announced a retirement due to a bad case of framers elbow back in November. While it’s not 100% it seems to be stabalised enought to do some light construction. I’m taking all the precautions I can imagine and have found a Stiletto 14oz Titanium hammer to that end. I know they make a smooth face but the local tool guys I like to frequent couldn’t find it in their catalogue so it’s basically not available here today and I’m gonna start a job tomorrow.
Would smoothing out the face be a problem? Probably wreck a belt or 2 but would it take a temper off the titanium? I have no idea of the metallurgy involved in titanium and perhaps this is a stupid question but I know enough about metallurgy to know about temepers and case hardening and not sure if any of this applied to titanium.
So what do ya think..I mean KNOW about this?
Thanks,
Notrix
BTW
Just sinking a dozen 16d’s made me a believer! I feel the elbow even when using my small steel hammers to do some real small task much less driving sinkers! Not a bad $60 investment even if it proves to not be a cure all.
N
Replies
Why would you want to go and ruin a nice serrated face? It is less likely to slip off of the nail.
When you get up close and personal with a finish project you can set the nail with a punch or nail set, or you can buy a smooth face direct from Stiletto (http://www.stilettotools.com/)
I'm wouldn't sand the head smooth. I would get another hammer, but then I like to buy hammers...............
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
but then I like to buy hammers...............
ain't that an understatement...
Good to hear you are able to do some work again. I know you can get the Stiletto titanium at Amazon. They ship pretty quickly and have good prices.
What I would do I I were you, is get the Ti-bone from Stiletto. You can see it on the link Pro-Dek posted. You can get a smooth face for that hammer, in fact I think Amazon ships the hammer with both faces. Then you have a face for whatever you are doing.
The hammer is a little steep, but I think it's worth every penny. I use it for framing and I couldn't be happier.
Good call Tim! Get a hammer you can change the heads on..........
Vaughan makes a sweet one also, for half the price."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
To directly answer your question…
My brother, was the manager of a local hardware store, gave me a titanium hammer for Christmas one year. This hammer had a brutal waffle face on it and my preference was smooth faced hammers so I took it to the grinder. I’ve been using this hammer for about four years now and the grinding has had no effect on the rest of the head.
One word of warning though titanium grinds like no other metal, a lot tougher and sparks will fly off and stay red hot on the floor for several seconds.
That titanium hammer has been a godsend.
I'd opt for a smooth cap, something like this:
http://www.industrialnewsroom.com/fullstory/11190
Like Pro-Dek wrote, you should be able to get one through Stiletto.
one word (or is it two) Nailgun or is it Nail gun..
don't like the idea of air hoses and compressors?
Paselode!
You'll be a long time sore if you are going back too soon.. and you could do some permanent damage to yourself..
Maybe a stupid question, but why is a titanium hammer better than steel? Or is it?
Titanium is strong and light. But don't you want a hammer to have some mass to it so it will have enough power to drive a nail quickly? If you want a lighter hammer, why not just get a smaller one made of steel?
What is the benefit of titanium in a hammer? Maybe I should try one.
Nevermind. I did an archive search and answered my own question.
http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=29638.19