Framing Hammers

[Nate E]

I bought into that whole titanium trend a couple years back and think that I might be about over it. Also, I can't seem to prevent myself from constantly breaking wood handles on my 14oz stiletto. What are the rest of you guys using out there these days. It might be time for me to invest in a new manual nailer.
-Nate

[ddolman]

Tibone, no question about it.

[CodyinCanada]

I too Have broken many handles with my Stiletto, Really look at the handles grain when you go to replace the next one. look for one with grain that runs right through, Stiletto is bad for there handles, I usually go through 3 or 4 before I find a decent replacement handle. When I break the next handle I think I am going to try to replace it with a Dead On Tools Handle, I had good luck with my 21 oz a couple of years back.
Even know they break all the time nothing feels more comfortable then a wood handle, IMOA. Plus you can drill and epoxy rare earth magnets into the handle, awesome for cleaning up nails.
Cody

[Joe Adams]

I've never strayed from my leather-wrapped Estwing.

[david larsen]

I like the feel of the new Plumb hammers and have always had good luck with them in the past. Fiberglass.

[ThingOfBeauty]

Douglas 20 oz axe-handle framer
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDIQ8wIwAg#
Extended head casting prevents wood-handle-bashing. Side nail-puller is sweet. Inverted-waffle head great for beating nails back out. Shiny. Has my name cast into the top. (may not apply to you!)
Looks like you could get a nice Vaughan axe-handle framer for about $25 at the Cheapot...would be tempted if I needed a new framer.

[Tom Bainbridge]

i was brought up on steel handled hammers for formwork/shuttering

regardless of what they say these days about repetative strain injurys, you can kill any wood/fibergalss/metal tube hammer handle in days

those titanium hammers with titanium handles still look good for my elbow

[Shevoryj]

Doug,

I too, when framing, use the 20 oz. douglas. I love that thing, I did break the handle a few months back but my local tool dealer had a bunch in stock so i grabbed 3. My favorite part about the hammer is the side nail pull, great feature will never stray away from the douglas.

[Chippy]

Does anyone know what happened to Hart Framing Hammers. I bought a couple of 25 oz waffle faced axe handle hammers in 1990. Someones needs apear to be greater than mine so they were stolen. I replaced one with a Daluge waffle faced 24 oz and fitted an axe handle to it. I'm happy with it but I still prefer the balance of the Hart.

There seems to be look alikes on the market but I don't know much about their parentage.

Tom the Pom,

A hammer will last if you treat it right. Many of the problems is the user desn't know how to draw nails properly. Hooking them in the claw and pulling backwards is a sure fire way of stuffing them up. If you use wooden handles wipe it down with a mixture of boiled linceed oil and turps regularly. To protect the handle under the head from damage from over striking, wrap some electrical wire around the handle for 50mm and then tape it.

Chippy

The internet, a source for information and misinformation

[Loren97]

I still like my 16 oz stiletto. I too had to replace the handle. Rather than paying a premium I got an ax handle and cut it down. Its a bit on the thicker side, but hasn't broken in 4 years.

[parkwest]

The Framer from the Hart Tool Co. in 24oz with waffle face and axe handle was my weapon of choice. I am 6'2" and 245# so I don't know if it would be a good fit for everyone, but I loved swinging that hammer.

I haven't been on a framing crew in years now so I don't even know if it is available anymore.

[ThingOfBeauty]

ya, 25 oz turned out to be too much for me, but that shiny Hart was irresistable and did teach me that less is more when it comes to me and hammers--I was only 5-11 and 175 so maybe if I grew up like Parkwest I could handle it! I actually still have a 25 oz Hart in a bucket somewhere if someone needs it! it's in terrible shape though, rusty and beat up.

[charlie99]

I like the feel of the new Plumb hammers and have always had good luck with them in the past. Fiberglass.

I've been using Plumb 20oz curved claw for many years. Only replaced them if lost ,never broke one................By the time these high falutin hammers came along I was using a Paslode and just using my Plumb for occaisional banging. I'd rather buy a power tool than a $100 + hammer. I'll check out the new Plumbs,thanks David

[Mark Parlee]

Doug

I second the Douglas

It used to be manufactured by Hart until a disagreement.
Douglas tried to do it on their own then went to Daluge to manufacture them
I seem to collect hammers and have one of all of these... or two

[Lavrans]

Three here on the Douglas. Got their Douglas branded steel & Daluge branded Ti.

Got a TiBone (from that sweet deal a while back) and like it, but tend to reach for the Douglas first. Then the Estwing 19oz.