Why I Don't Use a Steel Hammer
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2024
- I'm going to tell you why I don't use a steel hammer today and what helped me to make the decision to switch over to titanium. I'm not normally someone who always wants the biggest and best, but in this case the biggest and best was the best solution. With constant fatigue and arm pains becoming a daily occurrence, the switch from steel to a titanium hammer made by Stiletto turned out to be the ticket. After years of pounding nails with a 14oz Stiletto framing hammer an hickory handle, I've not had anymore pain. For someone who uses their hammer to do more than just hammering, this thing sure can stand up to some serious abuse. I've chipped ice and even dug holes with this thing to keep the job moving. If this thing were junk you'd hear about it, but for me, this thing has proven to be worth it's weight even with a $147 Canadian price tag. I guess some things in life are worth the hefty price tag. Well, back to work. Here we go!
www.stiletto.com/
Hammer I use: 14oz Titanium Smooth Face, 18" curved hickory handle
"Getting older, not as mobile, hurtin' a little at the end of the day" you hit the nail on the head with that one.
Yeah I’m beginning to feel the effects of full days of work on my body. I just have to keep tricking myself for a few more years that I’m young
I came across your channel the other day. I have to tell you how your site is so enjoyable. You are the second person that knows how to speak without “uh” and “ummm” every other word. Thank you for having a knowledge of how to speak properly. I like woodworking channels and am glad that I’ve found yours.
Glad you came across my channel John. I try my best to make videos that the average Joe (me being one of them) would like to watch. I’m not a big time UA-cam guy just a Canadian making sawdust. Thanks again for watching
I agree 100%!!! I have that exact hammer and I could not believe how wonderful it is. They are expensive but well worth the price even if you only do home improvement jobs. I have a old carpenter friend that has built houses for 60 + years and he recommended it to me about 6 years ago.
Good information. I've been retired for quite some time, so don't have the need to swing a framing hammer much. In my younger days, a 32 oz. framing hammer was the way to go. That led to using nail guns due to the tennis elbow.
Yeah I know what you mean James. When I was framing housing I typically would use a nail gun a lot of the time with the hammer only when the nail guns weren’t available.
Who in the world has ever used a 32oz framing hammer? Where do you even find one? Who makes them? Lol
I think you need Neatsfoot oil or Linseed oil for the wood. It's rubbed on, allowed to penetrate overnight and polished in the morning. You don't want a finish or a build up, just to keep the wood. Saw shack is coming up nicely!
Sounds like a good product. Thanks for passing that along John
I use a california framer by vaughn, i believe it is still a steel head, but it drives so much better than my old (27 yrs now) 21oz estwing my old neighbor bought me while i helped him remodel his house when i was 16-17yrs old.
I am so bad with a hammer that I’d rather bring a generator and a compressor every time and use a nail gun like a civilized human being. This may be too much trouble for you, but I recently came across a cordless compressor. It comes with a 4Ah and a 2Ah battery, 20V. Princess Auto sells it for only $200. Your work would probably go at least twice as fast with a gun, plus that tennis elbow type pain will only get worse with age if you keep hammering. On another note, I am glad that I have found your channel. You are sort of my hero, the kind of guy I want to be when I grow up. Doing things I only plan on doing and playing with toys I only dream of buying.
When I went to plumbing school, many years ago, a straight clawed hammer was not allowed in our tool arsenal. Instructor said, "I know one of you would hit yourself in the forehead". LOL he had such confidence in us.
Haha
30+ Years in carpentry and I’ve never seen anyone hit themselves (or anyone else) in the forehead.
@@psidvicious You had to know our instructor.
@@Z-Bart Haha! I don’t doubt that at all! Had a few of those myself!
I personally prefer my estwing over everything. My dad bought it for me when I started framing and I won't use any other brand of hammer.
Could not agree more estwing is my go to hamer too but i would be curious to try it
I'm the opposite, i really hate a steel handle hammer. For me it's twice as heavy with worse performance than a wooden handle hammer. The advantage of a steel handle is you will never ever break it or wear the handle out, unless the rubber breaks down.
I use a 19oz curved wood handle smooth face hammer for hammering and a 21" estwing pry bar for heavy prying. I hate prying with a hammer anyway, not enough leverage and difficult for anything except the occasional nail. Might switch to titanium hammer though.
@@maxgilbert18 It all comes down to personal preference to a point. When I was framing we had a dude using a shortass 14oz hammer and it took him like fuckin 8 swings to drive a nail where it took the rest of us 3 max. At some point the weight of the hammer doesn't matter though, like with higher end titanium hammers they'll drive just as fast as my 28 oz even though they're 14 oz because of leverage. What's really important is the length of the handle but I still use my 28 oz hammer because it's what I practiced with.
@@junkie_cosmonaut9622 You get used to one hammer and never want to switch! I know that feeling.
My hand hurts just reading your comment. Kiss your wrists goodbye at 45
I had a conversation with a blacksmith I know that explained why some hammers hurt to swing.....the handle makes a big difference in how comfortable a hammer is
Yeah I do like wood handles likely for that reason
Sandy! Thanks for the great discussion. I like yourself have more hammers in the tool box then I can count and understand about the arm fatigue as you mentioned. although I’m not using a hammer everyday, when I do though.. it’s being put to work! I’ve noticed this hammer in your other videos an I was wondering what make of it was, so it was great to find this vid! And as far as the price.. yes to most it seems expensive, but that hammer you’ll always be going to that as your number #1 and that will last you many many years.. and the make up and features is has I think are game changers.. I’m going to have to check out that website an do some research on this one… it may just end up on my tool belt for my next project! Thanks again Sandy! Andrew from NB :)
Stiletto hammer was one of my smartest tool buys ever!
I agree with ya there. I was skeptical until I tried it then I was hooked
I love my East Wing framing hammer but would love to try the one you been using
It sure was a nice change when I started swinging titanium over steel
never had any use for flat clawed hammers, gave mine away. I got rid of my tennis elbow by starting to screw plasterboard ceilings up rather than backhand nailing them.
I thoroughly enjoy your DIY videos and I was concerned on the one where you were talking about spontaneous combustion and sawdust. Yes, heaped sawdust is a fire hazard but I have a possible fix. I live in an agricultural community and here nothing is wasted. Even cow manure. They use manure spreaders in their fields and it got me thinking that both manure and sawdust are both organic in nature. So instead of piling it, could you spread it throughout your red pine forest in light layers so it can decompose and return its nutrients. I found a website that sells spreaders made to be pulled by ATVs or small tractors. I know with your DIY experience, you could look at it and manufacture one yourself.
Northern Tool & Equipment
Farm-Tuff Manure Spreader
Bed is 72in.L x 28in.W x 16in.H The overall width is 45" and the overall length is 9' 9".
16in. O.D. high-flotation slow speed tires
MIG welded construction
Black painted finish
Pin-type hitch
Draw bar support stand
1in. treated lumber sides and floor
Load Capacity (lbs.) 1,200
I think spreading the pile a bit more regularly on my trails would be helpful. I’d also like to somehow figure out how to burn the chips in my woodstove
@@sawingwithsandy could you rig something up similar to an auger to feed your chips into your stove.
A good idea up to a point...I live 6 miles off a main highway utilizing an ATV trail/winter logging road to access my house. Past loggers would use wood chips to help dry the road and yes, it does work. BUT what happens over time when this is done repeatedly is that the chips decompose and the road eventually turns to muck and rarely dries out completely which causes some pretty extreme ruts.
I don't gave a Titanium headed hammer but I love my 24 ounce axe handle framer. It's a waffle face head or was. And, I have a smooth face steel handle hammer I use a lot. In fact I have quite a collection of hammers! The best was after rotator cuff surgery, when I finally got out of the sling, the surgeon told me I had a 5 pound weight limit on that arm, I remarked "Good my framing hammer was only 24 oz!" There was fire in his PA's eyes!
BTW, at 67 years old, my absolute favorite is my pnuematic framer!
I know what ya mean Steve. The air framer wins every time in my books too
for $2 more + compressor and hose you can get metabo(formerly hitachi) framing nailer that will speed up framing 5xon sale at lowes for$149
I do actually own a compressor and framing nailer, I’m just so far from any electrical source they’re no use to me.
@@sawingwithsandy why don't you get a gas powered compressor?
Great commentary
I've been looking for old hammers so I can cut off the heads to make a coat rack. Maybe you can make one for your new sawmill shack to hang clothes, bandsaw blades etc. Did you give your hammer a name? Every time I use a hammer for a project I end up with a smashed finger.
That’s a neat idea
Week ago my friend from usa bring me this hammer. This is very nice hammer. Thank you for taking me into this.
Great to hear. I'm still using it to this day and still appreciate it
Hey - I know this is a bit dated, but I hope you didn’t burn that old broken hammer handle… you can sit/file/plane/sand down the broken end to a nicely-tapered point and make a great fix (wooden marlinspike) for doing splices in larger diameter rope. I made a did from the broken handle of one of my great-grandfather’s ballpein hammers and the old-growth hickey is so densely grained it is amazing! Plus all that machine-shop patina is just too good-looking.
QUESTION: I have carpal tunnel - how much less stress does the titanium hammer put on your wrist compared to the steel? I have an old steel Stiletto hammer which is a joy to se, but any hammer affects my wrist before too long.
Thanks!
Hey Joe! I never even though about that broken handle. Sure would be handy. I am a believer that the titanium hammers make a big difference compared with steel. I don't know what it is but sure can feel the difference after a day of framing not having the elbow and forearm pain as much.
Thks for the info - I always wondered what the hype was about - now I know - I might even get one for myself - I’m not getting any younger and things hurt that didn’t hurt before
Yeah I’m not the type to say somethings good when it’s not and this for me has really changed the way I’m able to swing a hammer. Thanks for checking out my video Brad
I found a Stiletto hammer at a second hand store for $10, cha ching!
Nice score!
Now that is a gloat if I ever heard one. Great find.
Can’t go wrong there!
WOW
The reason they make 6# sledge hammers and 16# is the weight is what does the work . If not for the weight then the man has to supplies the energy . It’s not the fall it’s the impact
Thanks for that
Great video! Good imformation!
Thanks for watching Herb
I had a hammer like that with a steel head my dad used it and I have not seen it since. I own two hammers with steel handles one I use for steep roofs and the other is my brick hammer. I got tired of replacing handles on the brick hammer.
Yeah I can see how that would get old real quick
Good video. I just can't bring myself to use a Chinese hammer. Boss hammer company makes titanium framing hammers that are 100% made in America.
Lots of Us have been there too .Its hard to top my 30 year old Hart california framer 21 oz hammer . IMO
Stiletto was designed by a man named Martinez, who now sells hammers under his own name.
My boss said titanium hammers aren't good for truss building since it apparently has trouble with 16 gage gang plates (which I can also put a nail in to hold it before it's rolled on), I figured he meant the 10-14 Oz. Hammers so ordered a 16Oz. One to see for myself.
You'll like it for sure. I don't think I can ever go back to steel hammers now
I have the 14 and the 16 oz , powerful and light hammers
great video thank you
Hi. What size nail do,you use when using 2” thick actual dimension rough sawn lumber?
I use 3.5” galvanized ardox nails
4” is probably more appropriate but I just drive em home a little farther when using 3.5” haha
I have used 5 of the hammers that you displayed and agree that they are not all that great. The titanium is one of those tools that you have to pay up to get a great tool.
Yeah I’m with ya on that one
Use to have a nail puller that had a slide hammer on to grip nails that sunk below surface
That sure sounds like a handy tool
@@sawingwithsandy it 2 jaws that look like bird of prey and a heel that served as vulcrum to pri the lower jaw bit straighter and would go under nail head when driven with the slide hammer the other jaw would bit down when prying harder you pull harder it bit down the heel was curved a bit so it pull up once the nail head above surface could use hammer of bar
Most likely the handle is hickory, it’s what has been used on all sorts of tools since tools like hammers and axes have been around.
Yeah you’re right
I got nicknames for some of my hammers too,thanks ,,hows the pup?
Hey Allen. Koda is doing well. Currently sitting on the couch beside me as I’m having an after dinner coffee. I’ll pass along the hello to him for ya haha
but it is a lot lighter for impact to the head?????
Indeed. Physics is physics no matter how you slice it. It’s a simple trade off of weight for speed. The hammer design is well thought out (as much thought as can be put into a hammer anyway) but at the end of the day, the guy next to you with the steel hammer, will have produced the same amount of work, provided equal skill level and equal energy output.
Just expecting my 16 Oz titanium Stiletto hammer.After a whole life driving steel hammers(I am 52) my arm is asking for somethig kinder.Unfortunately can´t find this hammer here in Spain,so after delivery and import taxes it´s going to shake my wallet.At least I hope it´s so good as you say in the video(honest review,by the way).
Hi Jano. I can tell ya that it sure will be a great improvement over steel for ya
Ummm , i use a 15 estwing ultra ,,, 15 oz is 15oz ,
I’m a firm believer in ‘The Power of Suggestion’ and if you believe this hammer is better than all the rest, than that’s really all that matters. BUT, I have to call BS (nonsense) on the efficiency percentages you quoted. Wherever you got those numbers from, guaranteed it was NOT from a scientifically tested method.
Physics is physics, plain and simple. All you’re doing is trading mass for speed. The equation will equal the same result every time whether you use steel, titanium, uranium or diamond, it will not change (not in this universe anyway).
The lack of ‘pain’ you feel in your elbow is likely a result of a few factors - Easier control of a lighter object resulting in fewer split second, hand/eye, muscle corrections. The wooden handle. It’s likely you unfairly compared the titanium hammer to a steel handled hammer and wrongly assumed the titanium head was responsible for the better result. And finally, The Power of Suggestion. You forked out a lot of money for this hammer so you’ve convinced yourself that it was worth it. No one likes to be wrong, especially when it involves spending money.
Like I initially said, if you feel it’s the best hammer for you and you’re able to produce more work as a result, that’s all that matters, but it’s not the ‘magical’ titanium that is producing these results. It’s you.
Thank you for your interesting observations. I think it is important to keep all arguments/claims independent and separate and debate them one at the time.
I bought Stiletto TB III with smooth head about 2 weeks ago - I will come back to that. I noticed that stiletto hammers are offered with the long handles - you could be right when you argue that swinging the lighter object (hammer head) with the long handle makes the difference, not the metal used.
I bought the house six months ago and I had to do a lot of demo - lots of plaster and wood. I only had a small hammer and my cousin, who used to work in construction suggested new hammer - all steel with the rubber handle Cobalt (22 oz head; 15 3/4 inches total length) offered by Lowe's. This hammer held up great, but my hand didn't. Let me just add that I did not drive a single nail with it to this day (unless I had to drive the nail all the way because my cousin did not do a good job with the nail gun when we were framing), but I used it for demo and knocking wood into place. My hand was hurting for hours.
I do not have to do it anymore (unless I buy another house, which I do not plan), and I am not planning to become a contractor, but I still see the value in buying the quality tools even if they are going to be used occasionally. I called one store in Waterbury, CT and they did sell me the hammer (above) for $150 plus tax ($200 minus $50 for "trade-in" - any hammer). The hammer is all titanium with the rubber handle (15 oz head; 17 3/8 inches total length). I does not vibrate into my hand as much as the steel hammer does - I can feel it with every swing I take and it is NOT ‘The Power of Suggestion’. It does deliver powerful blows, but I do not believe their claim that it hits like a 28 oz steel hammer, more like my (almost) new Cobalt. I think that there is another video here where the contractor claims that TB III hits more like 22 oz steel one.
I think the most interesting argument is about the vibration going into the user's hand from any hammer. I do not like the handles on my hammer made from wood or fiberglass and the steel handles destroy my hand. In my opinion Stiletto TB III DELIVERS (on what I am asking it to do) - plain and simple (the nail side puller is unique and amazing by the way).
Could you elaborate on the entire hammer design in which the whole hammer would be made of some durable metal(s)? What do you recommend for less vibration going into the body of the user?
@@jaroslawlaskowski2629 ~95% of the unwanted vibration comes from not making square, efficient contact with the nail (or whatever it is your hitting). Efficient contact only comes with practice and experience. Watch a rookie swing a hammer and you’ll see what I mean. Many times their “swing” almost involves a bit of a ‘pushing’ motion at the point of contact, as they struggle to make good square contact. With that motion they have a “death-grip” on the handle, which transfers every bit of the vibration right into their hand and up into their arm/elbow. The experienced pro on the other hand has a much lighter grip on the handle, especially right at the instant of contact. Because the ‘pro’ knows what he’s doing and his hand-eye coordination is so tuned into perfection, he’s learned to let the physics do the work, not shear brute force. With the lighter grip and the perfecting of the arced swing (no pushing!), he’s able to let the full weight of the hammer head combined with the perfected arced swing, use physics to it’s maximum advantage (mass x speed).
Good square contact cannot be over-emphasized as well. If you’ve ever played golf, you can instantly feel when you’ve made a bad swing because the vibration goes right up the club shaft and right into your hands, giving you a slight sting. On the other hand, when you make a clean square hit, it’s almost as if the ball wasn’t even there (vibration-wise). It’s just a solid “click” or ping and the ball sails, just like you’d hoped it would.
Go up to a hollow concrete block wall and try to knock a hole in one of the cells with one hit. If your swing is square, almost to the point where it feels like you might even hit your knuckles on the wall at the same time, there’s a good chance you’ll punch the hole with a single blow. If your swing is not square and the hammer head hits the wall with your knuckles well back from the wall, you’re not making a square hit and you’ll struggle to do it in one shot.
I always preferred wood handles for ‘some’ shock absorption as well, but I suspect they’re probably a little over-rated and it’s likely more about your [lighter] grip and accuracy than anything else.
No one likes a know-it-all but after 40+ years swinging a hammer, you learn a little.
The wood won't transmit shock like steel does
I agree with ya there Larry
Hola. Señor. Yo. Tengo. Un. Martillo. Estilleto. Buen. Martillo
Nothing comes close to Stanley antivibe with magnetic nail grab and it’s durability and comforability
Is that a titanium model as well? I’ve used some Stanley hammers before but not sure of that is a new model.
Your collection of hammers similar to mu except the titanium one the curve of the claw makes difference with type of wood and nails to be pulled
Yeah you’re right there. I like the long claw for framing and sometimes prefer the curved claw for interior work
I use the sharpley curved hammer to set nails. Put the nail in the curved puller with the head against the hammer's throat. I was taught that by my first boss. He used straight claws except when he needed to set a nail when youbonly had one hand free.
This is the exact same hammer I’m debating on buying for general purposes… I’m building my own home and this 20oz estwing is killing my hand
Sure has been my favourite hammer for years now
Made in japan now. Lots of retailers that sold them before now dont sell them. I have the original heads i just buy new handles for now. I dont buy the new ones. Other american made companys make nice ones.
Is that right eh. Never knew the chaneg.
I like Hart or Vaughn California framing hammers 23 oz is better if you are banging nails all day
I haven’t tried those. Thanks for checking out the video Fred
i have a Hart, love the full polish on the head and the ring when it strikes the nail.
@@sawingwithsandy stilettos are very nice but I'm not a fan of the titanium my dad framed with a rigging axe but than had surgery on wrist and elbow
Nah! Im not gonna spend my hard earned money on a $150 to $300 Hammer! 🔨 hell no!!! The only 3 hammers I'm using in the jobsite are cheapass hammers, I got the $25 Vaughn 19oz Waffle Head with Hickory Handle Framing Hammer, I got Estwing Steel handle 16Oz Claw Hammer and I got Pittsburgh Harbor Freight 23Oz Hickory Handle Framing Hammer. That's it! And I get to choose which hammer I use for a specific type of work but really I don't use my hammers that much since I'm using my DeWalt 20V Brushless Cordless Framing Nailer or my Hitachi Pneumatic framing nailer either way. The only time that I used my Vaughan framing hammer is when my Pneumatic framing nailer motor overheats and the compressor stopped working that's where I need to use my framing hammer to finish off my work for that day. But for a $150.00 Stilleto or $300 Martinez hammer!??? That's too expensive for only a Hammer Alone!!! For that price I could have gotten myself a brand-new DeWalt Powertools tool only or a kit, or maybe a brand new Makita tool kit!!
The milled face stiletto makes a wonderful meat and finger tenderizer
I’ve heard that from a good folks haha. I’ve also preferred the smooth face so I haven’t been able to see first hand haha
ouch. i have hit my thumb with a 21 oz milled face framing hammer while driving a 3 1/2" nail. that meat was very tender for weeks. lol
I have taken a very small drill bit spinning with my fingers to relieve the pressure from under the nail. When it breaks through the nail. Relief
@@joehuinker7009 i may have done that trick before. lol but when i hit it with that milled face, it was WAY more than blood under a nail, half my whole thumb was red. it was a full on hit and that milled face is power. lol it hurt, 12 400mg motrin and an afternoon on the couch. lol
Always thought that's a man size hammer.I've got bunch those others too.my best is my easten.
It’s funny how many hammers I ended up with when I finally gather them up. I also now realized I left some out hava
Your elbow hurt from the vibration going down the hammer handle and is stopped by your elbow it’s called tennis elbow which happens from the vibration of the tennis racquet do to loose strings when a hammer goes out off balance this happens I’ve used a 32 once East wing all my life I’ve had this happen five time every time I bought a new one and my elbow healed up till that one went out of balance so what your selling is not steel verse titanium all hammers wear and tear all those hammers your showing are cheap hammers with are milled out of balance
the Stiletto costs more than all of the rest put together. commonly called a California framing hammer.
Sure is an expensive one but I guess it was worth it in my case but maybe not worth it for all. Thanks for watching
@@sawingwithsandy I totally understand. I hope it didn't come across in a negative light. It's nice to work with nice tools, it just makes the job easier. Mostly I was making a joke.
@@sawingwithsandy it's only money. l'm sure that you get more satisfaction from the hammer than having the money and THAT is what is important. any hammer will drive a nail. NOT every hammer will give you satisfaction while doing it.
No I didn’t take it as negative at all. Definitely understand what you were meaning.
Yeah you hit the nail in the head there haha. Thanks again for checking out the videos. Appreciate the input from good folks like yourself
The handle is most likely Hickory
I agree, turns out it is hickory
My hammer is a impact screwdriver
A steel pipe welded to the head will make it to any mans collection that's worth their weight.
Don't ask me how.
I hear that!
Estwing framing hammer.
I do own one. Not a bad hammer
Is this Tim Pool?
If you do industrial work, you need tools that don't tempt ppl to steal them. Not a hundred dollar hammer.
Trying to steal a guys hammer off his hip is a brave move. Luckily where I live stuff like that doesn’t happen
Put your bags in your truck when it’s lunch time
GET A PASLOE
i have a 16 ounce diluge titainium frameing hammer that cost more then my first car ...its ok for pickup work but i cant set slam nails repititiusly like i can with my 32 ounce wood handled vaughn and it does a lot better when ya dont want bounce back ...takes less energy to swing driveing a nail and more energy to draw back for the swing ...difference is for a weekend carpenter that aint building the same muscles then a lighter hammer is better for frameing but hard core full time framers choose heavier hammers unless they are framing with a nail gun
Yeah Ive swung some big Steelies before and I know what you mean about packing a punch. They claim that the titanium hammers pack a punch like bigger steelies but obviously I have no way of knowing for sure
When I was framing for a living I often used an air nailer. If we didn’t have power available that’s when the stiletto came out
I lost track of the one comment you asked me about using my video. You’re welcome to include a link to my UA-cam video on your website if you’d like. Thanks for asking. Happy sawing
At least seven times in 6 minutes he tells you how honest he is ---hmmm
Thanks for watching Richard