Hammers are among the most essential tools. Whether you’re a professional carpenter or a DIY enthusiast, having a variety of different types of hammers can make any project easier and more efficient.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 16 types of hammers and their uses, helping you decide which type is best suited for the job.
Hammers are one of the most common tools found in most households, garages, and workshops.
Many different hammers are available, each designed for a specific purpose.
From the lightweight claw hammer to the heavy-duty sledgehammer, each type of hammer is designed to make certain tasks easier and more efficient.
1. Ball Peen Hammer
A Ball Peen Hammer is one of the different types of hammers used for metalworking.
It has a flat striking face, usually made from carbon steel, and a cylindrical or round peen head at the other end.
This hammer type shapes metal by spreading it out, flattening it, and removing burrs, chipping, and other surface defects.
The round peen is also used to add texture and create lines and curves in metalwork.
Ball Peen Hammers come in various sizes ranging from 8 to 20 ounces. They can be found with wooden, fiberglass, or metal handles.
2. Claw Hammer
A Claw Hammer is one of the most commonly used Different Types of Hammers.
Its curved claw at one end removes nails and other fasteners while the flat end drives them in. This hammer is usually made of steel with a wooden or plastic handle.
It comes in various weights and sizes, so choosing the one that best suits your needs is important.
The heavier-weight hammers are better for heavier-duty jobs, while the lighter ones are ideal for more precise tasks.
3. Club Hammer
Club hammers, or lumps hammers, are used for many different hammering tasks.
They have a large and heavy head and a wooden or plastic handle. A club hammer is designed for heavier-duty tasks such as demolition work but can be used for smaller tasks such as driving nails.
They come in various sizes and shapes and are great for driving stakes into the ground or pounding out dents in metal.
Club hammers are among the most common in construction and other industries.
4. Dead Blow Hammer
Dead blow hammers are one of the many different types of hammers used for various tasks.
They are constructed with an internal cavity filled with metal shot or sand and have a rubberized outer covering.
This allows them to deliver a powerful impact without causing any damage to the surface being struck.
The internal mass in the hammerhead absorbs the shock from the impact, reducing rebound, noise, and vibrations.
Dead blow hammers can be used for various purposes, such as driving stakes into the ground, pulling metal posts into concrete, installing insulation, setting tiles, and pounding dents in metal objects.
Their design makes them ideal for situations where a high-impact strike is required, but a more delicate surface must be avoided.
5. Framing Hammer
A Framing Hammer is one of the different hammers used for construction and carpentry.
It is designed to drive nails into framing lumber, allowing for easier and faster assembly of wooden structures.
The head of the hammer is slightly curved, allowing more force to be applied with each strike, increasing productivity and making the task easier.
The handle is usually long, making it easier to reach tight spaces. Its heavier weight also gives it more momentum when striking, allowing for a powerful and deep drive.
6. Rubber Mallet
A rubber mallet is one of the different types of hammers that is used for soft striking.
It is a type of non-marring hammer, which means it won’t cause any damage to the surface it is being used on.
Rubber mallets are typically made with a handle and rubber head and are used for adjusting parts, installing flooring, and other light tasks requiring a soft strike.
The handle length can vary, but the rubber head is usually 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
Rubber mallets are less likely to cause damage than a traditional steel hammer and are great for applying enough pressure without causing any damage.
7. Sledgehammer
A sledgehammer is one of the most commonly used different types of hammer.
This heavy-duty hammer breaks apart large concrete, stone, or metal pieces.
It has a long handle, usually made of steel or fiberglass, and a double-sided, flat head with a rectangular or wedge shape.
Sledgehammers are mainly used in construction, demolition, and mining operations.
The longer handles allow a greater force to be applied, making them perfect for breaking up large materials that would be difficult with a traditional hammer.
They also make chipping away at hard surfaces easier without overstressing the arms.
8. Tack Hammer
Tack hammers are one of the different hammers used for fastening small tacks and nails.
They have a slim, straight handle, a small head, a round face, and a point on the opposite end.
Tack hammers are often used in crafts, such as upholstery and carpentry, where a light hammer is needed to drive in small brads, tacks, and nails.
They are usually made of soft metals such as brass or aluminum, making them less likely to damage the wood or fabric surface.
A tack hammer is a vital tool for any home craftsman or woodworker.
9. Blacksmiths Hammer
A blacksmith’s Hammer is one of the hammers used for working metal.
This hammer type has a large, flat face and a heavy head. It is designed to shape, flatten, and cut metal for use in construction projects, tools, and artistic pieces.
The large head size allows for a more efficient force when striking the metal, allowing for faster work.
The head’s size also helps reduce the risk of chipping and cracking the metal.
The face of the Blacksmith’s Hammer is usually covered in leather or suede to protect the metal from dings and scratches while it is being worked on.
10. Blocking Hammer
A Blocking Hammer is one of the different hammers used in carpentry and metalwork.
It is usually used to fit a part into a joint by tapping it into place, but it can also be used to align and smooth surfaces.
The head of a blocking hammer is usually square or rectangular and has a flat face that makes contact with the piece being worked on.
The handle is typically made from wood and is slightly curved to fit comfortably in hand.
A blocking hammer is best for light work, such as small fitting pieces into place or for use in tight spaces where precision is needed.
11. Brass Hammer
A brass hammer is one of the many hammers used for various purposes.
Brass hammers are made from a combination of copper and zinc, which gives them a golden color and makes them durable and resistant to corrosion.
They are great for delicate tasks, such as working with jewelry or electronics, as they provide a soft enough impact to avoid damaging materials.
The heavier weight of the brass head also helps to drive in nails, pins, and other fasteners more effectively than other lighter-weight hammers.
12. Brick Hammer
A brick hammer is one of the hammers used to break and shape a brick.
It consists of a heavy, flat head with a sharp chisel edge on one side and a pointed tip on the other.
The flat head breaks large pieces of brick, while the chisel end shapes and forms smaller pieces.
Brick hammers are made from hardened steel and have a wooden handle for increased durability and comfort.
Brick hammers, also known as masonry hammers, are essential in any bricklaying project.
13. Bushing Hammer
A Bushing Hammer is one of the many different types of hammers available.
It is used for intricate woodworking, metalworking projects, and small repairs. This hammer is designed with a round face and a wooden handle.
The head of the hammer is usually made from brass, bronze, or steel, allowing it to be lightweight but still maintain a strong impact.
The end of the handle has a small hole typically used to hang the hammer when not in use.
This hammer type is also used for tasks such as driving chisels or creating decorative patterns in the metal.
14. Cross Peen Hammer
A Cross Peen Hammer is one of the many hammers used for various purposes.
It has a long handle and a head with two striking faces, one flat and one crowned or cross-peened.
The handle is designed for leverage, and the peen end allows for a better grip and more precise blows.
The Cross Peen Hammer is ideal for forming and shaping metalwork; blacksmiths, farriers, and armorers typically use it.
The curved face allows the user to move metal in different directions without slipping, while the flat face can straighten bends.
15. Chasing Hammer
A Chasing Hammer is one of the different types of hammers used in metalworking.
It features a slim, slightly curved head with a domed face designed for chasing metal or shaping and forming metals into desired shapes.
The head of a chasing hammer is usually made from high-carbon steel, which gives it a hard, durable surface.
It is usually accompanied by a chasing punch, creating holes and metal indentations. A chasing hammer is ideal for creating intricate sheet metal and jewelry designs.
16. Drywall Hammer
Drywall hammers are specialized tools for hanging and applying joint compounds to drywall seams.
This hammer type features a large, flat head designed to drive drywall nails easily into wall studs.
The flat face also allows for a smooth finish when applying joint compound.
Drywall hammers come with different head sizes and weights depending on the job. They are also available with either a wooden or fiberglass handle.
Drywall hammers are one of many hammers that can be used to complete various tasks.
17. Electrician Hammer
Electrician hammers are one of the different hammers used for various applications.
Electrician hammers come in various sizes and shapes, all designed for specific purposes.
They are commonly used in electrical work, such as installing wiring, outlets, and home repairs.
Electrician hammers are typically made from a steel alloy with a hardened head and handle; they have a flat, striking surface, which allows them to be used with precision and accuracy.
Many models also have an insulation grip, which helps protect against electric shock when working with live wires.
Electrician hammers are extremely versatile and can hammer in nails and unscrew bolts and other fasteners.
18. Hatchet Hammer
A Hatchet Hammer is one of the different types of hammers available for use. This hammer type is typically used for chopping, splitting, and cutting wood.
It has a single-piece head with a blade on one side and a striking surface on the other.
Hatchet hammers are designed to be lightweight and have a long handle, allowing you to maneuver the tool easily while keeping your arms and hands at a safe distance from the sharp blade.
The blade of the hatchet hammer is often made from hardened steel, increasing its strength and durability.
Additionally, many hatchet hammers have a non-slip grip on the handle for added safety and control.
19. Joiner’s Mallet
Joiner’s mallets are among the different types of hammers used by carpenters and joiners in woodworking.
They have a flat face and an octagonal, sometimes round, shape with a handle.
The head of the mallet is made from hardwood or softwood, such as oak, beech, or pine, and the handle is usually made from another hardwood or synthetic material.
Joiner’s mallets often pound chisels or other tools into hardwoods. It is also used to bend and shape wood with mallet blows and to shape and sculpt intricate pieces of furniture.
In addition, joiner’s mallets can be used to put gentle pressure on wooden joints to align them properly before gluing them together.
20. Lineman’s Hammer
Lineman’s Hammer is one of the different hammers electricians and linemen use to work with overhead power lines.
It has a solid metal head, usually forged steel and a hardwood handle.
The head of the hammer is designed with a flat end for driving nails into wood and a pointed end for punching holes into metal surfaces.
The pointed end also has a slight curve that allows it to align holes in metal objects.
This hammer type has a longer handle than others, providing additional leverage when driving nails or punching holes.
Lineman’s Hammers are essential for electricians, linemen, and anyone working on overhead power lines.
21. Mechanics Hammer
A mechanics hammer is one of the different hammers used for mechanical work. It has a flat face with a rounded edge and can drive fasteners, set pins, and form shapes.
The handle’s length is adjustable, and it has a comfortable grip that makes it easy to use.
Its head is also hardened steel, which helps it withstand high impacts.
Mechanics hammers are versatile and effective tools used by mechanics and other professionals who work with machinery.
22. Nail Gun
The nail gun is an incredibly versatile and convenient tool for different hammering tasks.
It is a device that uses compressed air or an electric motor to drive nails rapidly into wood, plastic, or metal.
Nail guns come in various sizes, shapes, and power levels, making them suitable for various applications, from basic home improvement projects to industrial construction work.
They are also significantly faster than using a hammer by hand, making them great for tackling large jobs quickly.
Regarding different types of hammers, the nail gun is one of the most powerful and versatile tools available.
23. Piton Hammer
A Piton Hammer is one of the different hammers designed to hold pieces of rock or metal together.
This hammer is used by professional climbers, mountain guides, and even in the military.
It has an elongated head and comes in various sizes and weights, depending on the type of material to be secured.
The back of the hammerhead is often curved to provide a better grip when pounding pitons into crevices or holes.
A Piton Hammer is typically made from hardened steel, and the handle is designed to give maximum force with minimal effort.
Conclusion
An array of different types of hammers are suitable for various tasks. Each one is designed with a unique purpose, from the club hammer to the ball peen hammer.
Understanding how to use the right hammer for the right job will make your project easier and help ensure your work is done correctly and efficiently.
Take the time to research and choose the right hammer for each job, and you’ll be ready to tackle any task.
Different types of hammers have different uses and should never be used interchangeably.
For instance, using a claw hammer to hit metal or a sledgehammer to pound nails can lead to serious injury or property damage.
