Choosing a framing hammer!

Always remember to buy the best tool you can. It will save you lots of drama later.

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

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…

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

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…

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

I’m with Reggiek
I use nail guns. In my opinion I would get a decent hammer(not spendy) and save the big bucks for air tools

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

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.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

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.

-- Check out my woodworking blog! http://woodworkingtrip.blogspot.com/

I’ve agree Jim, but you still need a Hammer :)

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

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!

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

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.

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.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-

they are tooooooooooooooooo expensive if your going to use a hammer that much use a nail gun

-- kosta brownsville brooklyn my home

I can’t even imagine spending that much for a hammer. If I buy a framer, it will be an Estwing. Sometime reason has to prevail.
Bill

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.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

I have a 22oz Husky framer from HD, got it as an xmas present from my daughter a few years back and it works like a champ.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

Can’t help you much Charles.
I’ve had my old hammer so long I can’t even remember where I got it, but I wouldn’t trade it for any new one.
I’m with Jim & rekkiek. Get a good but not pricey hammer & save up for a nice air powered nailer.

And Happy Birthday early!

-- Eric

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.

Like BigMP said most framers use a 22 oz hammer more then anything . If your using it everyday heavier is not better unless you want rubber arms in 20 years . Nails guns are the best way to go if your a framer, carpenter and only use a hammer when needed . Repetative hammering will definitely cause chronic pain , permanent nerve damage over time .

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.spaces.live.com/ (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

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!!

-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

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 !

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

Amen Patron, thank you David. Two swings of a hammer does not wear out or give you rubber arm.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

When your nailing down the floor of a house or roof for hours at a time you will get a rubber arm whether you like it or not ! Especially after 20 years of framing.

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.spaces.live.com/ (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

Thanks guys for comments.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Vaughn 19 oz. hickory-handled California framer & a Senco FramePro 601 have been my combo for the last 10 years. I chose the 19 oz. hammer b/c of exactly what you said; it has saved my wrist and shoulders. I primarily use a hammer for overhead work like nailing on hurricane clips and the lighter weight has been a savior. Also, because it is so light – in the event that I do something like siding or build a deck, I can swing it all day and not get fatigued. I know one of the faults they listed in the Fine Homebuilding article on Ti vs. steel was that the Ti hammers are not very much use for demolition work, and as a framer or remodeler you will probably be spending alot more time using the claw of a framing hammer rather than the head.

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

Bad choice. They absorb very little when you are pounding away a lot. My son is a builder and most all of his framers have stopped using them.

-- jack -- measure once, curse twice!

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!

-- Friday nights are for high stakes glue ups sucka!

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.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com