On the surface, hammers all look the same. What difference can there really be, right? You swing a hammer and that’s about all there is to it. But that could not be further from the truth. As it turns out, there are several different hammer types to be aware of. If you fancy yourself to be even an amateur handyman, then there are several hammer types that you should have in your repertoire.
Here Is The List:
Claw or Nail Hammer
When it comes to hammers, this is the single most common type you’ll find. Depending on where you find them, you may find a good deal on one for just a few bucks. Even someone who doesn’t do a whole lot in terms of DIY projects probably has at least one of these bad boys in their arsenal.
The claw or hammer nail is a simple tool. Hammer nails into just about any material – primarily wood – or use the claw end to pull nails out. This kind of hammer can even be used in smaller demolition projects, effectively breaking apart drywall and even splitting smaller pieces of wood. This is a very versatile tool to have.
Wooden Mallet
Of all the hammer types out there, the wooden mallet may be the most specific of the bunch. If you aren’t into woodworking, you probably will have not even noticed this hammer before. But it can be one of the most valuable, versatile tools on your workbench if you are even just a little into woodworking.
Featuring a wood face and head, it is perfect for knocking two pieces of wood together or using a chisel for more precise work. Depending on what kind of metal, you can even use a wooden mallet and a chisel to strike metal. Wood doesn’t have the kind of give that lighter hammers do, able to deliver a sharp blow in many other situations and settings.
Rubber Mallets
A hammer is good for delivering a forceful blow but what about those projects where too forceful of a blow can be a bad thing? That’s where the rubber mallet comes into play. It is constructed in much the same way as a wooden mallet, only the head is composed of a softer, more pliable rubber. That makes it ideal for driving chisels or delivering a soft but forceful blow to sensitive workpieces.
Rubber mallets are particularly great when it comes to installing tile. Ceramic tile is sensitive and too forceful a blow can crack or even break apart the tile. Using a rubber mallet can ensure that you are able to forcefully join two pieces together without having to worry about damaging them. Just be careful about where you use your rubber mallet because it can suffer from gouges and chips if you use it on harder surfaces or for general hammering.
Sledgehammer
Sometimes you need to bring out the big guns to get things done the right way. When it comes to dealing with concrete or demolition on a renovation project, you better make sure to have a sledgehammer at your disposal. These heavy-duty, two-handed hammers are great for not only demolition but driving stakes as well.
The sledgehammer can deliver much more force than any other kind of hammer partially due to its size. Sledgehammers can also be quite adept at splitting wood and even felling trees if you care for that kind of things on your own property. If you are an active landscaper and handyman, there is little doubt that you need to have a sledgehammer somewhere in your repertoire.
