Types of Hammers
If you’re in the construction business – or just take up DIY projects often, chances are that you need the best tools that construction has to offer, and that involves a hammer. This is especially true for the basic tools. They may be simple – but they’re also essential, which means you need to spend the most time figuring out which basic tools you need compared to more specialized tools. These are the tools that you’ll rely on for everything, so it’s important to make sure that you pick one that will serve you well and is comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
This is especially true for hammers. Most people underestimate how valuable hammers can be and how essential they are to doing good quality work. Much of this undervaluing comes from a general lack of knowledge about how hammers can be used and what types of hammers there are.
What are the Uses of Hammers?
When people think of hammers, many of them picture how to use a hammer. It’s something that we’ve commonly seen portrayed in media. Even people who don’t use hammers for their line of work have likely handled a hammer at some point in their life. However, with such general knowledge about hammers being available to everyone, many people tend to assume that all hammers work the same and that as long as they hit their target object with the tool they’re using it right. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Luckily, however, these mistakes and misunderstandings are easily corrected.
Hammers have many different purposes. One of the main purposes they serve, however, is to drive objects like nails into wood and other durable materials. This should be done by driving the head of the hammer against the object you’re trying to drive into your material. You should focus on driving the center of the hammer head against your target. You’ll also want to be careful not to hit the hammer against anything using something other than the head.
The metal isn’t as strong or hardened on other parts of the tool and you could potentially damage or ruin your hammer by doing this. You’ll also need to be careful not to hit your hammer against your target too hard – you don’t want to strike too hard and damage the wood or other material you’re working with. Simply use light, but direct hits to drive the nail or other fastener into your material and then repeat this process with any other fasteners you need to drive in.
Claw Hammers
Claw hammers are the most common types of hammers for people to use. They consist of a claw at the back of the hammer and a head. The claw is used to give the contractor or user leverage with the nails they’re driving in. If they happen to drive in a nail at an angle that they didn’t want, all they would need to do to fix the mistake is use the back of the claw hammer to pry it out. To use a claw hammer, simply hold the tool by a handle and tap the nail gently into place.
You don’t want to use too much pressure – doing so could ruin the material or fastener you’re working with. However, you can prevent this by making sure to use an extra piece of scrap wood or material to dampen the blow of the hammer and keep your main material from absorbing too much energy. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your tool to make sure that it stays in peak condition.
The head of the hammer is often held into place by wedges and other fasteners. This means that if they ever get loose or damaged, you’ll be able to replace them, and the handle. However, this also means that you’ll need to watch them closely to make sure they don’t become too loose. If this happens without you realizing it, you could damage your tool or hurt yourself if the head of the hammer flies off.
What are the different Types of Mallets
Mallets are made from blocks of wood that are set up on handles. They help to guide the work of artisans and contractors alike who need to work with tools that could be damaged by a traditional hammer. Mallets are typically used with a chisel or similar tool to help reduce the amount of damage that is done to the tool while also guiding the process of the chisel and helping to drive the chisel into the material so it can be properly shaped. These tools are most commonly used by joiners and carpenters.
To properly use a mallet, tap it gently against the tool you are working with. This will help you to ensure that you are able to guide the chiseling process thoroughly without losing control.You’ll be able to guide the entire process and work at a pacing that fits your needs and capabilities.
What Types of Sledge Hammers are there?
Sledge hammers are perhaps the second most common type of hammer that people recognize. However, they are often misused by those who don’t need them for an industry they work in. They come in many different sizes and are usually anywhere from 3 to 14 pounds. The heavier a sledge hammer is, the longer the handle tends to be. You’ll be able to get more leverage on the tool this way, and will also be able to get more power behind your swings. Sledge hammers are often used to break up concrete, stone, and other types of masonry materials.
They are used because of how dense and powerful they are. To get the most use and momentum out of your tool, you need to swing it like an axe against your target. Be careful to keep it far away from your head and make sure that you are able to hit your target squarely with the center of the head of your sledge hammer. This will help to minimize any complications you’ll have while working as well as potential accidents and injuries.
While these three hammer types are by far the most common, they are not the only types of hammers you may encounter. If you work with metal, carpentry, masonry, or other specialized materials, chances are you’ll encounter many other types of hammers throughout your lifetime. However, if you’re a DIY worker or only need to make quick repairs around the house, having knowledge of these three hammer types should be more than enough for you to work with.