ABOUT HAMMERS

Jim Oddsunn's DIY page Remember, Just Click on Jim for help

Local builder Jim Oddsunn is an acknowleged expert in the field of hammering. He now reveals building and DIY tips to tackle any job around the home. People are often afraid to attempt jobs around the home for fear of failure. It does not have to be like this. I have heard of many stories where people have got so far into DIY and realised that they have taken on too much and made the house uninhabitable. You must make sure that you have a good set of basic tools before you start.

A basic club hammer, claw hammer and a 1lb ball pein hammer are a good starting point. You can knock down a large wall in several weekends with a club hammer and it’s then just a case of making good.

Jim's tip Always plan ahead! Many people rush into a job at 7 30 in the morning and do not have a plan of action. Take your time. It’s often better to have a lie in bed in the mornings while you think about the tasks ahead. A mid day start is far better and you will be more likely to be in a better frame of mind.

Problems with neighbours

Neighbours can be very selfish and often do not understand says Jim. I have hammered late in the evening only to get a knock on the door at 9 PM at night with complaints about noise. It’s far better to discuss this with neighbours before these problems arise. Sometimes a compromise can save any unpleasantness. An understanding neighbour will agree to put their toddlers to bed at say 10 PM to save them being disturbed later adds Jim. By that time of night it’s nice to relax and retire to your local to sup five or six pints and think about tomorrows work.

Safety in Hammering

Although hammers appear to be the basic of tools, they can be very dangerous if not used properly and with care. A quality hammer is a safe hammer, but all hammers should be treated with care and respect. Practice makes perfect certainly applies to hammering.

Along with remembering to wear safety glasses for all hammering jobs, there are some other general rules to follow when maintaining a high safety level for hammering.

If you’re not an expert or professional craftsman, how do you know which hammer is right for which job? Did you know there are actually many different types of hammers, each with a special purpose? Choosing the right hammer will pay off in the long run by doing a better job, faster, and safer.

Jim's tip Understanding hammers is very important! Check out some of the information below to decide on which hammer is best for the job.

SELECTING THE CORRECT HAMMER

A Big Claw Hammer! Ideal for banging in screws
1. Common Nail Hammer With Curved Claw - used for general carpentry work and, of course, nail pulling.

Small Claw Hammer - good for banging in smaller screws
2. Rip Hammer With Straight Claw - used for general and heavy carpentry work, framing, ripping.

Finishing Hammer - ideal for finishing driving screws home!
3. Finishing Hammer - used for cabinet making, finishing, general carpentry.

Ball Pein - really good for bashing!
4. Ball Pein Hammer - used for riveting, center punching, and bending or shaping soft metal (My favorite)

Good for really stubbern screws!
5. Hand Drilling Hammer - used for powerful work such as striking masonry nails, steel chisels and masonry drills.

Soft Face Hammer - Not much use really!
6. Soft-face Hammer - for assembling furniture and wood projects, setting dowels, and any task which requires non-marring blows.

Watch your fingers with this bugger!
7. Tack Hammer - used to drive small nails, furniture upholstering and more.

Good for bashing holes in stuff like bricks!
8. Brick Hammer - designed for cutting and setting bricks of blocks, and for chipping mortar.

I've never used one of these!!
9. Drywall (Wallboard) Hammer - used for drywall work, marking wallboard, making cutouts, sets nails with dimple for easier finishing, corner nailing (in some versions).

Does not leave 'Half Crowns' in the wood - Not so good
10. Carpenter's Mallet - for use in furniture assembly, shaping soft sheet metals or any project that requires non-marring blows.

The 14lb Sledge hammer has not been included as it is considered by Jim to be a specialist instrument and is beyond the scope of this article

Jim Oddsunn holds a City & Guilds Certificate in hammering and gives lectures all over the world and has written many books on the subject.

Back to the main page

	SELECTING THE CORRECT HAMMER
	1. Common Nail Hammer With Curved Claw - used for general carpentry work and, of course, nail pulling.
	2. Rip Hammer With Straight Claw - used for general and heavy carpentry work, framing, ripping.
	3. Finishing Hammer - used for cabinet making, finishing, general carpentry.
	4. Ball Pein Hammer - used for riveting, center punching, and bending or shaping soft metal (My favorite)
	5. Hand Drilling Hammer - used for powerful work such as striking masonry nails, steel chisels and masonry drills.
	6. Soft-face Hammer - for assembling furniture and wood projects, setting dowels, and any task which requires non-marring blows.
	7. Tack Hammer - used to drive small nails, furniture upholstering and more.
	8. Brick Hammer - designed for cutting and setting bricks of blocks, and for chipping mortar.
	9. Drywall (Wallboard) Hammer - used for drywall work, marking wallboard, making cutouts, sets nails with dimple for easier finishing, corner nailing (in some versions).
	10. Carpenter's Mallet - for use in furniture assembly, shaping soft sheet metals or any project that requires non-marring blows.