How to choose the correct hammer for a job

When selecting a striking tool for a specific job, we used to call these hammers, three items should be considered: safety, efficiency and collateral damage.
Hammers are perhaps the most widely misused and abused of all hand tools. Many people just get a hammer, the larger the better, and make it fit.

Basic safety measures must be taken when using any type of striking tool. Safety glasses must be used in all cases. The size of the hammer head must be in proportion to the item being struck. The striking face of the hammer should be parallel to the surface of the item being struck.

Example #1
If you are using a hammer to strike another tool, such as a chisel, punch or wedge, you should have a face diameter larger than the face of the struck tool. Use a small (2 or 3 lb) hand drilling hammer when hitting a ½ punch or use the flat surface of a 32 oz ball peen.

Efficiency or speed is also important in choosing the proper striking tool. An undersized hammer can cause a job to go very slow. Also tiring the user.

Example #2
Sledge hammers are generally used is busting concrete or stone. You would most likely want to use a 10-20 lb sledge to do this job. Using an under sized 6 lb sledge could cause this job to take as much as 3 times as long. The length of the handle is also important when choosing a sledge hammer. Sledge hammer come with handle lengths from 14 to 36 inches. Normally long handled sledges are used with two hands when a great deal of striking power is needed.

It is important not to cause collateral damage to adjacent areas when using a striking tool. If you are using a hammer next to areas that can be damaged such as wood panel or tile it is important to use a soft face – dead bow hammer.

Example #3
If you need to use a hammer to move a granitite counter top in place a soft face-dead blow hammer is idea. The soft head surface, normally made of rubber, nylon or urethane will prevent chipping of the granite. The dead blow design will absorb the energy (rebound) so that the hammer does not skip to another surface. The dead-blow also aids in reducing arm stress.