Alright guys, every milled face I’ve bought seem to wear off to nearly smooth after only a month or two of use, and this is with quality brands like Vaughan and Estwing. Now I’ll admit, I do abuse my hammer a bit; i.e., driving concrete nails, beating hurricane straps, tapping the occasional anchor bolt or cat’s paw. Is this normal? I ask b/c I m frustrated to the point of specal ordering a 28-oz. smooth face Estwing (my local stores dont carry it anymore)–no sense in paying for a checkered face when you’ll have a heavy trim hammer in a month. I’m also considering buying one of these new titanium hammers with the replaceable steel heads–do these lightweight hammers really pack the punch of a heavy steel hammer? Any disadvantages? Thanks in advance for your advice.
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I've had a Hart for two years and have done everything you describe, though perhaps not to the same extent. That's a pretty expensive hammer, but I love how well it works. Glad it was a gift. It's face is still pretty reasonable. I'll replace the prybars I beat with it before the hammer. They're getting pretty chewy. (of course, maybe a grinder is the answer there)...
When I was framing and using a waffle head I'd periodically take a 3point file and re-groove the head, but thats just my two cents worth, and it's a heck of lot cheaper than buying a new hammer.
Edited 10/26/2002 6:57:15 PM ET by butch
Order the smooth face, 20 0z instead. And learn to use it for everthing. Frame, forms, finish. One hammer, one size. I was given that advice years ago from an old carpenter and followed it.
Now it's my turn, but don't go calling me an old carpenter................
I use a craftsman framing hammer and take it back every six monthes.One of the things I like about a new hammer is the ability to cut thru banding with one twist of the claw.
ANDYSZ2
i have the ti bone milled face hammer and have used it heavily for about two months, the milled face is still like new. it does pack a good punch with no vibration, i use it on concrete cut nails with ease.
I was sent some info on the Ti-Bone hammer a fewdays ago and it caried a price of like 185 bucks! Whew! I could buy about six or seven Estwings with that. I have considered the wooden handled Stiletto though.
get you self a waffle iron , open it up, take one half and put it on a hammer handle. <G>!listening for the secret.......searching for the sound...
I usually gradually wear mine off with my thumb....If it is to be, 'twil be done by me..
It is well worth the money, no shock to the elbow. I used it today driving cut nails through treated plates on the school I'm working on, about 500 feet. No shock at all, elbow is fine, my partner has a craftsman steel hammer complained as we walked out tonight. Just my opinion.
cappy- the application of awaffle head is limited i'm with mark, get a twenty or twenty 24 which is pushing it smooth face learn the control(slippage) factor. and give those finger tips an occasional break when you slip with the waffle head, aroud here with a waffle and january cold one miss and that be your convincer. it nice to wield a sort of excalibur like hammer but longevity will give you a tap on the shoulder in around five years. and let you know when to switch, the iron clad grip, the unproblematic elbow, the rotor cuff that rotate smoothly. all become a memory, trust me on this . conservation of body parts are key, hart, vaughn all help with this..... my 2 cents worth.... cheers bear