We decided to raise the topic of how to choose a hammer for a reason. It turns out that this question, which, as they say, “is not worth a damn,” is still of interest to a large number of people. Even in such a matter as choosing a fairly simple hand tool.
In our article, we will not focus readers on the features of various types of hammers, their classification and differences. We want to give basic, so to speak, everyday advice to ordinary people who decide to replenish their home tools with such an important and necessary tool as an ordinary hammer. If you need information about what kind of hammers exist in nature, what they are for and how they differ, you can refer to our article "Hammer" , which covers this topic quite well. And now back to the main topic of our article.
We note right away that when you go to a hardware store, you will surely see a whole stand with hammers of various designs, weights, colors, etc. And of course, the price of hammers will fluctuate significantly.
Ordinary hammers with a wooden handle are usually relatively affordable, and some beautiful nail hammer with a plastic handle, and even rubberized, can cost 1000 rubles. We do not recommend buying a hammer more expensive. In this case, it's wrong.
Yes, completely metal (meaning the metal part and the handle) with a rubberized handle is much stronger than the same one with a wooden one, but let's take a closer look at whether we need it. Firstly, these hammers are significantly heavier than those of the same size (meaning the impact part of the hammer) than with a wooden handle. The balance of this hammer is also not very good. It is much more difficult for them to hammer large nails, since the weight of a fully metal hammer is distributed more evenly along the entire length and the impact on the nail head with the same swing is less.
Typically, these hammers are not large and do not allow them to be called universal. And who needs several hammers in the home workshop, if you can get by with one? And of course, these models are very often equipped with the so-called nail puller bells and whistles on the back of the shock part. As a rule, it is not very convenient to use and it remains unclaimed. In addition, such a “built-in” nail puller has a small lever and it is quite difficult to pull out thick rusty nails with it. And finally, the price is the biggest of all.
Thus, of the advantages, only strength, well, there may also be a rubberized handle that does not allow the hand to slip, although the latter is still in question, which is better than ordinary wood or rubber.
The next type of hammers are hammers with plastic handles . Of course, plastic is much stronger than wood, but the plastic handle has one significant drawback - it is not repairable. If the handle popped out of the metal part of the hammer, it is almost impossible to firmly fix it back. For the price, these hammers are in the middle.
Well, now let's talk about the most common type of hammers - classic with a wooden handle . In our opinion, this is the best option for a home building kit. On the plus side, the price is low. The wooden handle is easy to replace if it breaks, although this can only happen if the tool is used incorrectly. They vary in size and we recommend buying a hammer with a metal part weighing 300-400 grams. This weight is enough to drive even large nails 150 - 200 mm long, at the same time, small carnations such as shoe nails can be hammered.
Also, such a hammer is suitable for dismantling small brick structures. The wooden handle in old Soviet hammers was fastened with a metal plate, which was hammered into the end of the handle and clamped it in a metal striker. Now most manufacturers do not bother and simply fill the end with epoxy. The disadvantage of this system is that the epoxy will sooner or later burst and crumble, so you will have to fix the handle additionally.
This can be done with a pair of thick nails, from which we bite off a point about 1.5 - 2 cm long and hammer into the end of the handle, or with a pair of short thick screws, which we twist into the same end. Such an upgrade will allow you to fix the handle well and securely.
Since the shape of the impact part of the hammers is also different, let us give you advice in this area as well.
It is most convenient to use hammers with a striking part in the form of a parallelepiped with bevels. They are more comfortable, unlike those in which the shock part has a circle in cross section. By the way, with their sharper part it is more convenient to knock out small carnations. We hope our tips have helped you. Good luck!