by the Professional Power Tool Guide
So, you’ve decided that you want to try to complete your home improvement project all on your own, but when you surveyed the tools that you have available in your basement or garage, you started to have doubts that you were truly prepared to do it on your own. You have to realize that everyone starts to collect tools at some point in their life, and until then, it’s probably true that they are ill equipped to embark on these major projects. If you’re dedicated to collecting the essential tools for any home builder or repair man, you will have to know about the different types of hammers and what they are intended for.
Just like the Phillips head screwdriver and the needle nose pliers, the hammer is one of those things that no home or tool box should ever be without. However, there are more than just the traditional types of hammers available to you. Depending on the kind of job that you are going to engage in, you might need to supplement your toolbox with some different, more specialized hammers. There is no substitute for having the right tool at the right time, so make sure you are familiar with at least a couple of different varieties.
The most common types of hammers are those known as the claw hammers. These are the traditional looking hammers that have a handle of about six inches to a foot, with a head that features a multipurpose claw on one end of the head. These hammers are meant to be used for many different jobs around the house, like pounding or removing nails into walls or wood. Any kind of job involving a harder surface or materials will probably require another hammer. A ball peen hammer is a much smaller head design and is usually used by engineers who are trying to shape metal or close rivets.
Another interesting member of the family of hammers is the club hammer, which can also be referred to as the lump hammer. As you may have guessed, this hammer features a much wider and softer head than the other types of hammers that have been mentioned. This hammer is traditionally used for light weight construction jobs where you might be required to drive in masonry nails or engage in a little light demolition. The head is usually made of a light weight material so it is easier to swing in large arcs for smashing through walls.
