Hammer basics and tips
Without a doubt the hammer is one of the most used tools in any kit. There a few basic types available and a few good practices that any home DIYer should follow to keep their hammer in top shape.
Instructions
Choosing and selecting a hammer
The most commonly used hammer is the 20 ounce claw hammer. It is suitable for any job, both large and small, as it gives a fair bit of grunt since as one of the heavier products available.
The next option down from the 20 ounce hammer is the 16 ounce. It’s still good for range of jobs just better suited to anyone wanting a lighter hammer. A lighter weight will give better control to anyone not use to a heavier hammer.
A graphite handle hammer is another lighter weight option. They are easier to use than a 20 ounce hammer but have the same force.
If you are going to be doing a lot of big hammering jobs then a long handled rip claw hammer or hammer with an anti-vibration handle is recommend. They help stop your arm from getting too sore.
When you know what type of hammer will best meet your needs make sure you hold it in your hand before buying to ensure it feels comfortable. Once you start the job, you’ll soon notice if the hammer is not comfortable to hold. Find one that feels right for you and make sure you hold it correctly. Hold between your thumb and fore finger with the centre line of the hammer aligned with the ‘v’ between your thumb and finger. Place your hand at the end of the handle shaft.
When hammering, all the movement should come from your wrist not your elbow. Using your elbow is likely to result in injury and gives you less control. For smaller nails, that require a more controlled action extend your fore finger onto the back of the hammer.
To remove nails, grip the nail with the hammer claw and pull firmly along the length of the timber in the direction of the grain. It will mark the timber. You can place a timber block down behind the nail to avoid marking the timber. If the nail head has broken off and you’ve got nothing to lever against you can get the nail out by putting your hammer in sideways and then pushing the nail sideways before pulling out. It gets the claw of your hammer closer to the timber the but will damage it.
If you hammer starts to look a bit dirty and has picked up dried glue or paint you can spruce it up by sanding. For the end of the hammer, lay sandpaper flat and holding the hammer level sand in both directions. You can also gently sand the other sides by hand. To keep a leather handle supple soak it in oil from time to time and prevent rust by lightly spraying with CRC.
