What Are the Different Types of Hammers and Their Uses?
One of the most basic and widely known tools that you may find in a builder’s toolkit is a hammer. At some point in their lifetime, most people will use a hammer and that is because these tools are so useful.
You can use a hammer for so many different things, and it really is an invaluable piece of equipment when it comes to building and DIY projects.
While the hammer that you will likely be most familiar with is a claw hammer, there are plenty of different types of hammers out there that you may find yourself needing to use from time to time.
If you are fitting a DIY kitchen, then there are plenty of hammers that you will need to use for this task alone. So, it is very important that you make yourself familiar with the different styles of hammers that you can use for the job.
In this guide, we’re looking at what some of the different types of hammers are and what tasks they should be used for. Keep on reading to find out more!
Claw Hammer
First up, we have the claw hammer. As we have mentioned, the claw hammer is the most famous type of hammer and it is the type of hammer that most people will think of when they imagine this tool.
The claw hammer is the classic style of hammer with a blunt “face” of the hammer on one side, which is used to hammer nails into materials, and a hook on the other side which can be used to remove nails from materials.
The metal head of this hammer is attached to a sturdy handle which gives the user excellent control over the tool itself.
Most houses will have a claw hammer tucked away somewhere in a tool kit or in the garage. They are really useful tools, and they have all sorts of different uses.
Claw hammers are great to keep in the house because they can be used to complete lots of different DIY household tasks. From putting up photo frames to putting together a flat pack piece of furniture from IKEA, there are lots of cases where a claw hammer will come in handy.
But, just because they are one of the most common types of hammer, this doesn’t mean that they are the only type of hammer. So, let’s take a look at some of the other types of hammers out there.
Joiner’s Mallet
Claw hammers are often used by joiners and those who work with wood, but another type of hammer that those in this profession may find themselves using is a joiner’s mallet.
A joiner’s mallet looks slightly like the hammer that a judge will use in court, but it has an entirely different purpose. Joiner’s mallets will typically be made using wood, and they feature a handle with a chunk of wood on top that is used to hammer things.
They look very different to claw hammers, but there is actually some crossover in the situations where they may be used.
You may want to consider investing in a joiner’s mallet if you make a lot of DIY flat-pack furniture. This style of hammer is often used to assemble projects and really becomes handy for inserting dowels and connecting different pieces of material using the dowels.
If you do not have a joiner’s mallet, then it is perfectly okay to use a claw hammer for this job. Most people will use a claw hammer for this job if they only complete a small amount of DIY projects.
But, if you have recently bought a house and know that you are going to be putting together a lot of furniture, then you should consider a joiner’s mallet instead.
They are easier to use, and much less likely to damage the furniture. If you are a talented woodworker, you could even make your own joiner’s mallet!
Framing Hammer
Speaking of working with wood, if this is something that you do frequently, then you should consider investing in a framing hammer. A framing hammer is fairly similar to a claw hammer in terms of appearance, but it is designed to deliver more force when used.
If you are renovating a house, and planning on completing the majority of the work yourself, then a framing hammer is an excellent piece of kit to invest in.
The design of a framing hammer is almost identical to a claw hammer at first glance. A framing hammer has a blunt face on one side, and a hook on the other side with a long handle that allows you to exert excellent control over the tool.
The key difference between a framing hammer and a claw hammer is the weight.
Just like claw hammers, framing hammers are designed to be used with nails. However, framing hammers are designed to be used with extra long and strong nails that can be hammered into beams, stud walls, and more.
Typically, a framing hammer will weigh double the amount of a claw hammer, and you may use it if you are totally remodeling your home and adding stud walls.
If you are renovating your home, and having to dismantle existing furniture and stud walls, then a framing hammer will likely be invaluable in this process.
Club Hammer
The last three hammers that we have looked at are typically used for smaller, more fiddly jobs, but this next one is a little different.
A club hammer is essentially a smaller version of a sledgehammer, which we will look at next. Club hammers are used for heavy-duty work, such as chiseling and punching into walls.
Not only will they be used with wood, but they will also be used with metal, and for this reason, they are designed to be incredibly strong.
If you have invested in a club hammer, then some of the tasks that you may find yourself using it for include light demolition work, working outdoors with masonry, or chiseling stone or metal to a certain size or shape.
Sledgehammer
Finally, let’s wrap this up with a sledgehammer. Most people will be familiar with a sledgehammer, and that is because this style of hammer is typically used in demolition.
If you are remodeling your house, then one of the most satisfying tasks will be taking a sledgehammer to whatever you are looking to remove. This may be an existing stud wall or the old kitchen that you are looking to replace.
Sledgehammers look exactly like club hammers, they are simply designed on a much larger scale. They are very heavy, and can take a little adjusting to when using them.
But as long as you let the head of the hammer lead the demolition work, ripping out your existing kitchen will be a breeze. In no time at all, a sledgehammer will give you a blank canvas to work with.
Summary
There are lots of different types of hammers out there, from the common claw hammer to a sledgehammer. All the different hammers have different tasks that they are designed for. We have looked at the uses for some of the main types of hammers in this guide.
Thanks for reading!