There are many types of hammers, each designed for specific tasks around the farm, workshop, or home. From claw hammers to rubber mallets, choosing the right hammer for the job makes work safer and more efficient.
In this guide, we’ll explore 6 common hammer types, their uses and which ones belong on your farm tools rack.
1. Claw Hammer: Your Everyday Go-To Tool
Let’s talk about the obvious first. The claw hammer is what everybody thinks of when they say the word “hammer.” It has a rounded head designed especially for nailing, and a lever-like “claw” on the back intended for the safe removal of bent nails. They are incredibly useful for many types of general tapping, pounding, and nailing. You might consider keeping one in the garage, another in the barn and one in the stable. 16-ounce claw hammers—meaning the head itself weighs 16 ounces—are quite common and popular. But you can also find lighter and shorter 12-ounce hammers for small jobs or powerful 20-ounce models for experienced users.
2. Framing Hammer: Built for Heavy Construction
Related to the claw hammer is its robust cousin, the framing hammer. These tend to be a little more heavily built and ideal for lots of nailing and rough construction of stud walls and rafters. Building a toolshed? This hammer has you covered.
3. Sledgehammer: Best for Demolition Jobs
For deconstruction tasks, which can come up often on a farm, a sledgehammer is a key tool to have on hand. The head of a sledgehammer weighs a good amount, usually between 5 and sometimes up to a whopping 20 pounds for serious professional use. Sledgehammers do their work not only from the additional mass in the head, but also from the way the user swings them with both arms. A 6- or 8-pound sledgehammer is helpful to many users by packing a good punch without weighing so much that it’s unwieldy.
4. Club Hammer: Compact Power in One Hand
Maybe a sledgehammer is overkill. Maybe you’re not trying to break concrete, but you simply need more force than you can get from a typical claw hammer. This is where the handy club hammer comes in. You hold it in a single hand like a claw hammer, but the head weighs around 4 pounds, so it delivers a lot more force than a claw hammer, so it’s good for breaking loose stubborn material.
5. Rubber Mallet: Gentle Force for Delicate Surfaces
Sometimes you need to give a firm but delicate tap, and you need to do so on material like wood or metal that you don’t want to damage. A rubber mallet can help deliver a soft knock that won’t nick paint or dent metal, thanks to the rubberized edge of the mallet.
6. Dead Blow Hammer: Precision Striking Tool
For some precise work, like automotive or farm machinery tasks, it’s sometimes helpful to be able to place an exact amount and direction of force from a hammer onto a particular spot. A dead blow hammer can do this job with minimal bouncing and jostling.
FAQ: Types of HammersWhat are the most common types of hammers?The most common types include claw hammers, sledgehammers, rubber mallets, framing hammers, dead blow hammers, and club hammers. What is the best type of hammer for DIY?A standard 16-ounce claw hammer is ideal for most DIY tasks, while a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer may be better for delicate work. Can I use a club hammer instead of a sledgehammer?A club hammer is a good alternative for smaller demolition tasks where a full-size sledgehammer would be too heavy or unwieldy. |
Types of Hammers: Final Thoughts
Whether you’re building, demolishing, or doing fine-tuned mechanical work, there’s a hammer designed for the task. By understanding the different types of hammers, you can equip your organized toolbox with the right ones for the job—and work smarter, not harder.
This article was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
