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Choosing a framing hammer!

31K views 43 replies 32 participants last post by  tom427cid 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am looking at getting a framing hammer for my birthday. I am ooking at the Stiletto Titanium line of framing hammers I am wondering is they a good choice, I know they cost money but they supposed to save your wrist and shoulders.
 
#3 ·
If you have ever used a California Framer you would use nothing else! A great configuration of a hammer, has more control than any other that I have used and with the handle being a very close clone to an axe handle it is very strong…
 
#4 ·
Having gone the way of the pnuematics (I have and love the Hitachi HR90AE), I haven't had to use a manual framing hammer in a while. The best ones that I recall where the Daluge or the Vaughns….I like and still have the Daluge even though it is a bit more pricey compared to the Vaughns….Both Daluge and Vaughns have a nice line of Titaniums…and you can get handles in wood, metal or fibreglass….either one of these makers were well made and balanced….Remember though that it is your swing that makes the hammer work…not the other way around…an expensive hammer will not replace good eye and good coordination…
 
#6 ·
I say a framing hammer is like a side arm or underware. You have to choose one that fits you. I recommend handling and looking at everyone you can find to see what feels best and which you can best control. For example, I like a 28oz with a long hickory handle and a magnetic nail notch in the top of the hammer. Enjoy checking them out. Remember brand doesn't matter, quality does.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Vaughn wooden handle, about a 23 ounce or 28 if your in good shape. I swing one all day working in a truss plant a couple of days a week. The heavier the less swings it takes to drive a nail or move a board, but it can wear you out if you are not used to it.
 
#9 ·
Go for it. I have that hammer and it is absolutely awesome. I don't do much framing but I would not trade it for anything now that I have used it. I also have a Senco framing gun, but last project I hand nailed because it was actually fun--I know, I'm nuts! I guess it's like using hand planes when you own a jointer and planer-huh?
I also have the trim version. By the way, my lovely, wonderful, giving, caring, did I say awesome, wife gave them to me for Christmas 3 or 4 years ago.

That said, everyone else made a lot of sense too!
 
#10 ·
Ah my friend… A good question. A hammer is a carpenters best friend. I myself have a Stiletto 14oz framer with the straight hickory handle. I've used quite a few different hammers over the years including the Daluge hammer, which I like, but it just doesn't compare to the Stiletto. I would definitely recommend it with its only one downfall being that the waffling seems to flatten out quicker than other hammers; however, it hasn't affected the performance so that I have noticed. I think it would be hard to go back to the conventional steel hammers after using mine. My hands and arms appreciate it. If I were you I would get the Stiletto because no matter what or how many pneumatics you use, you are always going to need a good hammer.
Hope it helps.
 
#11 ·
i rock the 28 oz. estwing all day, this hammer is great and it will not break your wallet like a stiletto. just think about this, how mad are you going to be when that expensive stiletto falls off a two story roof.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
I agree with Roper, except back in my framing days we used a 32 oz. Estwings. 1 hit to set, one swing to drive the nail home, thats a 16 sinker. Makes for fast framing. Yes they were expensive but I haven't framed in about 20 years and that hammer is as good as new. We used them for trim too. Once you wore off the waffle, or as we called them, the meat tenderizer. Nice hammer, really.
 
#16 ·
I think if were to ask framers in general, the heaviest hammer they carry is a 22oz. Since the Stiletto has a higher energy transfer, you can have a lighter hammer and save your arm. And the claws on the stiletto are the best I've ever used. Just some more thoughts.
 
#18 ·
24 oz. Estwing here. I never "hammered" for a living, but I've been well-pleased with it for 20+ years! Actually, I've used it more for de-struction rather than con-struction, tearing apart pallets, interior demolition, and the like. It works like a Champ!!
 
#19 ·
i have had and still own many framers and regular hammers .
here in new mexico , every single wooden or fiberglass tool that i have seen ,
hammers , axes , sledges ,mauls , have come loose !
something to do with the climate/heat/cold changes .
now i use estwing .
one piece metal , they never loosen !
a flaring grip , keeps the handle in your hand when it is sweaty,
the longer reach means you don't have to bend over so much ,
which is good for the back !
 
#24 ·
The best hammers, in my opinion, are made by Estwing. They are generally one piece of machined stainless steel, and their handles are shaped into a tuning fork, which kills all vibration. This is then wrapped in the most comfortable handle I've ever used. Every hammer I own is Estwing, ranging from ball peins to my monster drilling hammer. Their framing hammers and claw hammers are both amazing, and come a a wide variety of weights. As far as availability, most of the big box stores sell them, but for specific weights, you may need to look online. I'd take a look at www.mscdirect.com. They're an industrial supply company, and I've bought a majority of my general purpose hand tools from them. I would avoid buying their weight forward line, however, since the workmanship put into that line is less than what I've come to expect from them. Good luck!
 
#25 ·
We're talking framing not nailing down a deck. Use a compressor and staples to nail down a deck along with liquid nails. I'm just talking about framing stud walls. A 32 oz estwing can't be beat. 2 swings is all it takes. I'm not talking about nailing over your head either. Jeese don't you own more than one Hammer?. LOL. Estwings absorb a lot of the vibration. And they are easy to hang onto.
 
#26 ·
It doesn't matter how many nail guns you own or use, you still need (and if you are like me, want) a good framing hammer. I have a 22oz Estwing with the wooden (hickory) handle, and I like it but I find that during the winter months when the weather is colder the heavy weight is hard on my arm. I need to either wear a brace, or get a lighter hammer! DeWalt has a wooden handle hammer that is a bit lighter that I like. I tried a co-workers Stilleto (the rock and roll brand of hammer) and didn't like it because it was so light I had to swing it a lot more to drive the nail.
 
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