How To Use A Hammer
For the first-time woodworker, using a hammer can be a challenge. Even experienced craftsman sometimes cannot help accidentally splitting wood. To avoid this, it is important to know your hammer and how to use it. It is also recommended that you know what kind of hammer your particular job requires. If you are assembling a desk, for example, do not use a sledge hammer! That is a silly example, but there are sillier ones that I could point to. Improper use of a hammer can not only lead to embarrassment, but serious pain and injury. That is why it is important to know how to use a hammer.
To use a hammer, first you must correctly set up the nail in the wood. Place the nail where you want to drive it into the wood and hold it between your thumb and forefinger on your nondominant hand. (If you are right-handed, this means you hold the nail with your left hand, and vice versa.) Hold the hammer exactly as if you were shaking hands with someone. When beginning to hammer the nail, hold the hammer closer to the head, preferably immediately below the head. After the nail is partially into the wood, you can start to hammer using the lower portion of the handle. When you do this, be sure to take your hand away from the nail so you do not injure it with the force of your hammering.
To keep from splitting the wood, create a pilot hole for the nail to go in to. It is advisable not to make the pilot hole in the grain of the wood, because this will cause it to split. Blunting the nail can help avoid splitting the wood. To do this, simply tap the sharp point of the nail with your hammer. This will ensure the force from the hammer striking the nail will be spread out into the wood and not concentrated in a discrete point, thus ensuring that the wood will stay intact.
That's all there is to it. An extra tip I could offer is swing from the elbow for maximum power and swing from the wrist if you want better control over the hammer. Another obvious tip is do not use inferior wood. Make sure your wood is the best quality you can get for your price. If you are the adventurous type, try finishing your own furniture. Unfinished oak furniture or unfinished pine furniture can be great fun to work with. Remember, always seek the help of a professional if you have any questions about your wood or your technique. It is not a bad thing to make a mistake, if you learn from it. Happy woodworking.
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Manufacturer: Stanley Hand Tools
Model Number: 51-621
Sale Price: $9.00
| Forged high carbon steel head for durability. Fiberglass handle absorbs shocks and vibrations. Diamond pattern grip. |
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Manufacturer: Great Neck Saw
Model Number: 21000
Sale Price: $4.39
| The Mini Hammer with Magnetic nail starter is from the "Essentials" tool line, made by Great Neck. "Essentials" are a full line of ergonomically designed tools made just for women. They are also a nice choice for the elderly, or those with arthritic conditions. This is a great hammer to keep around the house. The rubberized, ergonomic handle grip is 4.75" long, making it easy to store and comfortable to use. A very handy, and unique feature is its magnetic nail starter! Just place a nail in the magnetized, formed slot on the top of the head for extra assistance on getting the job started. And, with the solid steel 4 1/2" long hammer head, this little hammer really packs a punch. Every handy person will appreciate the quality, high-performance, design ergonomics, and comfort features of this Mini Hammer. |
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Manufacturer: TEKTON
Model Number: 3048
Sale Price: $4.98
| Tekton by M.I.T. 16-oz Tubular Steel Claw Hammer features: Drop Forged, Heat Treated Steel Head, Full Size Round Face for Accurate Striking, Fully Polished, Lacquer Coated Head, Beveled-End Curved Claw, Cushioned Non-Slip Textured Grip |
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Manufacturer: MAXCRAFT
Model Number: 60626
Sale Price: $7.09
| Full Size 8 oz. Drop Forged Steel Claw Heat , Soft, Non-Slip, Contoured Handle Grip, Stubby 6-Inch Length for Small Jobs or Tight Work Areas. |
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Manufacturer: Cala Industries
Model Number: PB12HM
Sale Price: $10.46
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Manufacturer: Stanley Hand Tools
Model Number: 51-944
Sale Price: $14.86
| Stanley 51-944 - 20 oz. FatMax AntiVibe Rip Claw Nail Hammer Stanley is proud of its reputation for excellence. They are dedicated to continually testing, designing and improving their products to ensure quality and maximum function. Maintaining their standing of being the world's best at what they do is important to them and what you expect from a name like Stanley. Stanley 51-944 - 20 oz. FatMax AntiVibe Rip Claw Nail Hammer Features: Patented tuning fork design reduces harmful vibration that can cause wrist and arm injuries Forged, one-piece steel construction for increased strength and durability Rim temper reduces incidences of chipping or spalling Ergonomically designed grip reduces fatigue and allows for multiple grip positions Texture is molded into each grip for increased comfort and performance even when wet Complete range of nailing and framing hammers available |
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Manufacturer: IIT
Model Number: 88400
Sale Price: $4.89
| Are your tools missing every time you need them? This 8oz. Ladies claw hammer and IIT's entire Ladies Line features ergonomically designed contoured handles that are sized to fit a woman's hands. The bright pink handles are easy to find and identify if they get mixed in with other tools. And best of all, it's very likely that they will not get taken by mistake as most men don't want to be seen working with a bright pink hammer! With an ergonomically designed vinyl cushion safety grip this tool is created from heavy duty cast steel and sized for a woman's grip. Grab a tool box, and start your own tool collection today! |
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Manufacturer: Stanley Hand Tools
Model Number: 51-163
Sale Price: $15.10
| Patented torsion control grip technology reduces the effect of torque on wrists and elbows. Patented AntiVibe technology minimizes vibration and shock at impact. Magnetic nail start feature for extended reach and 1 handed nailing capability. Precision balanced feel the difference. Forged, 1 piece steel construction for increased strength and durability. |
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Manufacturer: Estwing
Model Number: E16S
Sale Price: $23.50
| 16 OZ Rip Claw Hammer, Leather Grip Solid Steel Handle. |
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Manufacturer: Stanley Hand Tools
Model Number: 51-167
Sale Price: $19.90
| Patented torsion control grip technology reduces the effect of torque on wrists and elbows. Patented AntiVibe technology minimizes vibration and shock at impact. Magnetic nail start feature for extended reach and 1 handed nailing capability. Precision balanced feel the difference. Forged, 1 piece steel construction for increased strength and durability. |
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