Top 5 Hammers for Scrappers
The hammer is a vital part of the scrapper’s toolbox. Frankly that is because its a great sway to tear things down. There is nothing like the brute force of a lump of metal bashing a piece of waste. The hammer is also one of the most important tools in any crafter’s toolbox. And there are many scrappers who like to craft with the bits they retrieve. So however you choose to use it, your hammer is your best friend.
Hammers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are made from a variety of materials. The metal used for hammers is usually steel or cast iron. There are also a variety of hammers made from wood. So it can be a bit con fusing as to what hammer is good for what job.
Technically there are more than 32 types of hammer but for most of us only a few are of importance unless you do some intricate metal or woodwork. or are into construction as a profession. So lets cover the top 5 types of hammer you may find useful when scrapping.
Disclaimer – Some of the links below are are affiliate in nature -meaning we make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase
The claw hammer:
Pretty well everyone is familiar with this hammer. The claw hammer is the most common type of hammer you will find in a workshop. Unsurprisingly, It has a head that is shaped like a claw (or sometimes a peen.) That claw is great at removing nails from wood. It can be used in scrapping for helping to pry apart pieces of stubborn plastic, like the outer shell of electronics.
You can be sure that everyone will own one of theses. It is pretty well the first tool you purchase as a grown up, alongside a screwdriver. These are also readily findable at car boot sales and being thrown out, such is their commonness.
Frankly it is hard to go wrong with this one and you can get by without any other type of hammer.
The sledgehammer:
The sledgehammer has a long shaft allowing you to give it a good swing. Its use for the scrapper is limited due to its size unless you scrap larger items. In which case this is a great way of breaking down those stubborn welds. It may also be useful with larger transformers.
The lump hammer (also called a club hammer):
Without a doubt the most useful of the hammers. Its sheer brute appearance and weight is great for most items which refused to break apart. You wont be using this one to get rid of nails unless you want to break everything around the nail! Often also used in masonry work.
Next to a claw hammer every scrapper should possess one of these. Just be aware that the use of this hammer will mean lots of flying debris so safety googles at the ready.
The lump hammer was likely the first hammer ever invented-it was called a rock.
The Brick Hammer:
This one is a forgotten hero. If you watch some of the YouTubers scrappers you will see them using this one with great enthusiasm. The reason for this is that it not only has the typical flat head, but also a chisel head. This is great for cracking things apart.
This type of hammer has many variants such as a Drywall Hammer but they can all serve the same purpose for the scrapper.
The ball-peen hammer:
This is an unusual one for a scrapper. The ball-peen hammer has a head that is shaped like a ball. It is commonly used by metal workers and jewellers. So it may be useful for those who like to craft their scrap into new items. It is also used for setting rivets.
Handles.
Traditionally handles were made of wood, commonly hickory wood due to its strength. And it certainly remains the handle of choice. Not only is it strong but it can absorb an amount of vibrations rather than transmitting it all to you.
However metal handles are becoming more common alongside rubber grips. In fact some hammers are fully integrated with their handle, which certainly removed the issue of broken handles. But as already stated metal handles come with their own issue of vibration.
Injuries.
How many times have you squashed or struck your finger? Seems not a day goes by without some form of hammer injury.
Here in the UK, about 200,000 people who like to do DIY end up in the hospital because of an accident.
Knives are the main cause of accidents, but they only caused about 10% of them. Saws and grinders came in second and third on the list of tools that cause accidents. Our friend, the everyday hammer came in fourth, though.
The most common materials used in accidents were wood and concrete blocks. In third place was the very simple nail. Everyone knows what we use to hit them in. In fact, more than 15,000 people went to the hospital because of nails that hurt them.
Here are some useful tips from awoakes.com
USE THE RIGHT TYPE AND SIZE HAMMER FOR THE JOB
Use a carpenter’s hammer, for example, for driving or pulling nails. Not for striking star drills or cold chisels. Don’t use a lightweight hammer for a heavy job. You’ll work harder and increase the chances of hurting yourself or damaging the tool.
STRIKE THE SURFACE SQUARELY
Always using the head of the hammer and never the side. A glancing blow increases your chances of striking a finger or chipping the hammer head. Don’t strike one hammer with another. Hammerheads are made of hardened steel, and pieces may chip off and fly.
CONTROL THE HAMMER
By holding it toward the end of the handle. Beginners have a tendency to choke up on the handle, reducing the force of the blow and making it difficult to hit the target squarely.
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES
To protect your eyes against flying chips when striking objects such as chisels, punches, and drills.
BE SURE THE TARGET IS STATIONARY AND FIRM
When driving stakes or hitting a large cold chisel, be sure the person holding the work uses tongs. This will protect him from being hit a glancing blow.
KEEP HAMMERS CLEAN AND IN GOOD CONDITION
You can get into trouble by using a hammer with a loose or worn head, or one that has a cracked or broken handle.
https://www.awoakes.com/toolbox/hammer-safety
Conclusion.
Always begin with your trusty claw hammer but quickly acquire a lump hammer as soon as possible. The brick hammer can is a vital ally as well. But treat all hammers carefully and with caution. A good vice or just keeping your fingers away is a great start.
You can buy these hammers from any reputable DIY shop. But you can usually pick these up second hand as well. Look out on Craigslist, Facebook marketplace etc. Another good place to go is your local yard sale or car boot sale.
Never understate the value of a hammer to your microscrapping. The electronics industry likes to manufacture tamper proof boxes or weld things shut which we need to get open again. So deploy it with aggression and enjoyment!!!