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Discussion Forum

Which one of these hammers do you prefer

JourneymanCarpenterT | Posted in General Discussion on December 16, 2006 01:48am

Which one of these framing hammers do you prefer? <!—-><!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

1.         <!—-><!—-> <!—->VAUGHAN <!—-><!—-><!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         999<!—-> <!—->

            B.         <!—-> <!—->California<!—-><!—-> Framer<!—-><!—->

            C.         Ti-Tech<!—-> <!—->

            D.         Bluemax Fiberglass

<!—->  <!—->

2.         PLUMB<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         Fiberglass Handle <!—-><!—->

            B.         Straight Wood Handle <!—-><!—->

            C.         Curved Wood Handle <!—-><!—->

            D.         Steel Handle<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

3.         ESTWING<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         Nylon-Vinyl Grip<!—-> <!—->

            B.         Leather Grip<!—-> <!—->

            C.         Wood Handle<!—-> <!—->

            D.         Fiberglass Handle <!—-><!—->

<!—->  <!—->

4.         <!—-><!—->STANLEY <!—-><!—-><!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         Antivibe Steel Handle <!—-><!—->

            B.         Graphite Fiberglass Handle <!—-><!—->

            C.         Straight Wood Handle <!—-><!—->

            D.         Curved Wood Handle <!—-><!—->

<!—->  <!—->

6.         STILETTO<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         MuscleHead<!—-> <!—->

            B.         Titan Framer

            C.         TiBone / Solid Titanium Face <!—-><!—->

            D.         TiBone / Replaceable Steele Face <!—-><!—->

<!—->  <!—->

7.         DOUGLASS<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         18 oz / 14†Handle<!—-> <!—->

            B.         18 oz / 16†Handle<!—-> <!—->

            C.         20 oz / 16†Handle<!—-> <!—->

            D.         23 oz / 16†Handle<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

9.         DEAD ON<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         Titanium Head<!—-> <!—->

            B.         Steel Head<!—-> <!—->

            C.         Graphite Wood Handle <!—-><!—->

            D.         Eagle Series (Hart Hammers) <!—-><!—->

<!—->  <!—->

8.         DALLUGE<!—-> <!—->

<!—->  <!—->

            A.         21 oz Tradesman<!—-> <!—->

            B.         24 oz Tradesman<!—-> <!—->

            C.         14 oz Titanium<!—-> <!—->

            D.         16 oz Titanium<!—-> <!—->

–T


Edited 12/16/2006 4:04 pm ET by JourneymanCarpenterT

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Replies

  1. gb93433 | Dec 16, 2006 03:49am | #1

    The hammer I use almost always is a Hitachi. When I use a hammer in my hand it is a Vaughan CA framer for framing and an Estwing for general work.

  2. plumbitup51 | Dec 16, 2006 03:58am | #2

    Many years ago , after a steel Estwing gave me a nasty case of tennis elbow, I switched to a 999 and still use it daily. A couple of summers ago my daughter was working for me and I bought her a fiberglass handle 16 oz. Plumb. It was such a sweet little hammer I bought one for myself and it's become my second favorite.

  3. paulbny | Dec 16, 2006 05:07am | #3

    Vaughan TI Tech with the Fiberglass Handle.  I love it.

  4. User avater
    JourneymanCarpenterT | Dec 17, 2006 12:17am | #4

         Thanks to all for their replies.  However, because only Vaughan, Plumb, and Estwing have been commented on so far, I want to make sure everyone knows that there’s more of a selection if you click on “View Full Message.”  A total of 8 different brands and 32 different models are listed, and everyone of them is a link to a website or picture.

    -T

  5. User avater
    jase | Dec 17, 2006 02:06am | #5

    My first hammer was a Douglas 22 oz. After the handle broke I got a Husky. The handle on the Husky or any California framer fits better in my hand as is easier to swing than the Douglas. The Husky pulls nails better than the Douglas.

    I have a 21 oz Dead-On California that I like to swing...but it won't pull a nail. I bought it when I misplaced my Husky.

    I bought a 21 oz Vaughan California to replace the Dead-On. I like the axe handle but it doesn't have a nail starter.

    Both are backups for my Husky 24 oz.

    Jase--Is there a better way?
    1. User avater
      JourneymanCarpenterT | Dec 18, 2006 05:05am | #21

           "My first hammer was a Douglas 22 oz. After the handle broke I got a Husky. The handle on the Husky or any California framer fits better in my hand as is easier to swing than the Douglas. The Husky pulls nails better than the Douglas."

           That's too bad. I was hoping the 18 oz Finish (DFI18S) would be the perfect multi-tasking hammer. (Finish Hammers Link) When I read that this hammer was cast from stainless steel, (Douglas Link) I thought it might be just the hammer I was looking for: A hammer that won't rust, and that won't chip when pounding on hardened nails. I was a little confused at first as to what the "overstrike guards" were supposed to be for, but they seemed like they would reinforce the wood handle at its weakest point. However, when you said that your handle broke, it concerned me.

           When I read about the magnetized nail set, side nail-pull, side-strike surface, and chisel-tip claw, I was impressed. (What's New Link) I also thought that perhaps I could trust the Douglas name when I read that the founder of Douglass Tool was also the designer of the "Woody" Hart hammer. (History Link) On the other hand, while I'm not looking for cat's paw capability, if the nail pulling capacity is poor, it would be a serious flaw.

           I've seen California framers with straight handles and ax handles. The only unique feature I've realized regarding these handles as opposed to other handles, is the handle on a California framer is somewhat thicker. That could be a matter of preference. At the same time, Douglas hammers feature a handle combining straight and curved handle characteristics. This design is something I've never tried before.

      -T

      Edited 12/18/2006 5:12 pm ET by JourneymanCarpenterT

  6. User avater
    dieselpig | Dec 17, 2006 03:35am | #6

    Vaughan Ti-Tech with straight hickory handle and milled face.

    View Image
    1. User avater
      JourneymanCarpenterT | Dec 19, 2006 01:06am | #22

           I seriously considered purchasing a Vaughan Ti-Tech before I bought my Stiletto MuscleHead.  I was afraid to spend the money for it, because <!----><!----><!---->Vaughan<!----><!----> hadn’t manufactured a titanium hammer before.  It’s nice to hear a good report about it.<!----><!----><!---->

      <!----> <!---->

           If they would produce a Ti-Tech with a 14” wood handle, I think it could be the perfect multi-tasking hammer.  I just don’t feel comfortable using an 18” handle in any application besides wood framing.  Therefore, I think the length of the handle limits the versatility of the interchangeable faces.  The only advantages I see in this feature, on a hammer this long, are that you can occasionally prevent the milled face from wearing out too quickly, and you can replace the face when it finally does wear out or is damaged.  Of course, I could always install a shorter handle myself.<!----><!---->

      <!----> <!---->

           When solely wood framing however, I do prefer an 18” handle.  The most striking advantages I see in a Vaughan Ti-Tech, are being able to pound nails into concrete, and (as you pointed out in a previous thread) the superior strength of Vaughan’s hickory handles.  When comparing the Ti-Tech to the MuscleHead, I must now ask myself; does the advantage of pounding nails into concrete outweigh the advantage of the additional shock absorption that comes from a full titanium head, and does the advantage of a stronger handle outweigh the advantage of a lighter one?<!----><!---->

      <!----> <!---->

           The Vaughan Ti-Tech with wood handle definitely deserves serious consideration for anyone employed in wood framing.<!----><!---->-T

  7. Danno | Dec 17, 2006 04:07am | #7

    I like the Vaughn California framer for its axe handle. I actually broke the claw on one once pulling a spike. The place where I bought it wouldn't help me, so I sent it back to Vaughn and they sent me a new one.

    I like the Stanley Anti-Vibe too.

    1. User avater
      SamT | Dec 17, 2006 05:12pm | #8

      I still have my second Hart California Framer. I wore the first one out long after I heard a crack on the first nail I tried to pull. Don't know if the Vaughn is the same quality.

      That was also the last nail I tried to pull with a Ca Framer.

      For demo work, I'll take an Estwing steel handled.

      Finish; a Vaugn.

      I haven't found a DW hammer I really like yet, but for the very little DW repair I do, my Hart works just fine now that the waffle points are beat down some.SamT

      Now if I could just remember that I am a businessman with a hammer and not a craftsman with a business....."anonymous". . .segundo <!----><!----> 

  8. bc | Dec 17, 2006 05:55pm | #9

    i have a douglas framer... great for demo...

  9. emmetnee | Dec 17, 2006 06:20pm | #10

    I started with a estwing 24oz steel handle, wasn't for me. Then I got a Craftsman 19oz fibreglass long handle, nice hammer served me well untill I saw the Vaughan 20oz framing hammer with axe handle, had to have it, I love it, very good balance, the best one I've had yet.

    I use a 16oz estwing for 2nd fixing, nice tidy hammer.

    I have 3 slating hammers

    Am awaiting delivery of Douglas 20oz and Stilleto 16oz Ti milled faced curved handle.

    Have I enough Hammers?

  10. plumbbill | Dec 17, 2006 07:19pm | #11

    Not on your list, but I'm partial to the Hart¯ 25oz cal framer.

    Been havin trouble finding them these days, I picked up a stanley that has the same profile & it works pretty good for me. It has that funky shield at the top of the neck, which might come in handy for sum, I just don't like having pros look at me & comment on the "miss-hitter gaurd"

    “When the San Francisco Democrats treat foreign affairs as an afterthought... they [behave] less like a dove or a hawk than like an ostrich—convinced it would shut out the world by hiding its head in the sand... When the Soviet Union walked out of arms control negotiations, and refused even to discuss the issues, the San Francisco Democrats didn’t blame Soviet intransigence. They blamed the United States. But then, they always blame America first. When Marxist dictators shoot their way to power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don’t blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies, they blame United States policies of 100 years ago. But then, they always blame America first. The American people know better.” —former UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick

  11. User avater
    user-246028 | Dec 18, 2006 01:15am | #12

    Estwing Nylon/vinyl grip

    1. User avater
      Sphere | Dec 18, 2006 01:45am | #13

      I've become a coppersmith of sorts. Not on your list , but I modified an Estwing brick hammer ( I need the square face for my metal forming) by cutting off part of the chisel end and adding a groove for yanking nails.

      I maintained the width almost and the nail pulling slot is not like any other hammer.  The very short handle is a boon as well, working on a roof or in tight gutter places.

      I think Malco makes a real tinners hammer, with the square face and a warrington pattern hind end...but they run into big bucks, and lack nail pulling ability.

      This 20oz Estwing is the best of both worlds, and a few minutes with a cut off wheel , makes it mine.  I am actually thinking of how I can make a side pull nail remover with a plasma cutter to make the head void, or weld a side claw like a slaters's hammer.

      So call me wierd, I make my own.

      Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

      I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

      1. Stilletto | Dec 18, 2006 02:09am | #14

        I makes my own too,  a 14 oz Titanium Stilletto head with a 21" Curly Maple handle. 

        View Image

        Great for drivin nails,  not so good for pulling them.  Thats what me catspaw be for.   

         

        1. User avater
          Sphere | Dec 18, 2006 02:29am | #15

          OK, I officially hate you now.

          Dammm son, that is a SWWWWEEEEEEYYYT handle.

          Btw, I got a heap of that kind of maple just recently, I resawd a bunch....want some in the log form? I might have 9 billets about 2' long, by roughly 6" square or better.

          Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

          1. Stilletto | Dec 18, 2006 03:34am | #17

            I'll take them.  They'll make great hammer handle blanks.   I might actually make something like table legs out of them.  I got an idea for a table for my aquarium. 

            BTW January 5th I am headed to Nashville again,  we are going to stop at a gun and turkey show in Ohio first then headed there.  Maybe I can meet up with you and gunner then.   

              

             

          2. User avater
            Sphere | Dec 18, 2006 03:47am | #18

            No prob, I'll save the wood for you ( oh man that sounded bad).

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

          3. Stilletto | Dec 18, 2006 04:31am | #19

            Thanks,  if'n I can't catch up with you in January maybe I can pay to have them shipped here. 

              

             

  12. bobbys | Dec 18, 2006 03:26am | #16

    rocket long handel 20oz steel hammer, plumb 16oz, I bought the titaniums i like the 160z but my boy took the big one, When i framed years ago i used the rocket but have not seen them in years I buy old ones but long handel ones are rare I had wood hammers break to ofton but will agree less shock

  13. sunsen | Dec 18, 2006 04:41am | #20

    i like the deloitte, (i think that's the spelling), with an ax handle. the only thing i don't like about it is the sound but it feels better than any other hammer i've used in 30 years on the job.

  14. Adam05 | Dec 19, 2006 02:53am | #23

    For framing, I really like the Stiletto Titan T. It is especially helpful in tight spots where you can get faster hammer velocity in a short space. I prefer my 16 oz plumb when doing finish work as the Titanium model seems to slide off smoother and smaller nails. Unfortunately, a file won't touch the face. Maybe I'll try a grinder to rough it up a little.

    Adam

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