A Guide to Hammers

Nail Hammer

Drive nails, tacks, and brads with a lightweight nail hammer like this 12-oz. model, shown at left. Grip the handle near the end for a powerful swing, and lay your thumb along the top for better control.

Woodworkers accustomed to putting pieces together with screws and glue might not think of a hammer as an essential tool. But even if you don't drive 16d nails, here are two hammers and a mallet that will earn their keep in your shop.

While most carpenters rely on a 16- or even 20-oz. nail hammer, a lighter one, say 12 or 13 oz., often serves cabinetmakers and furnituremakers best. One like the 12-oz. claw hammer, shown left, fills the bill for general woodworking use.

If you drive a lot of small brads or escutcheon pins, try a Warrington pattern hammer as your nail hammer. Instead of the usual nail-pulling claws, this one has a straight cross peen, shown at left. The narrow face makes starting small nails easy, as shown.

We like a hardwood handle--particularly hickory or northern ash--for a nail hammer. Wood absorbs shock for more comfortable use, and it's replaceable.

• Driving nails, brads, and tacks.
• Setting nails with a nailset.
• Tapping a centerpunch to mark drill centers on wood.

• Striking woodworking chisels, cold chisels, or star drills.
• Driving masonry nails. (A heavier hammer is better.)
• Pounding metal against an anvil.