It is quite common for nearly every household to possess one or two hammers. The act of hammering nails, akin to painting walls, is assumed by many as a skill they inherently possess. Given that a hammer is a basic handheld tool, unlike a circular saw or power drill which are considered power tools, one may wonder if there is any specific technique involved in using a hammer. However, it might be surprising to discover that there is indeed more to it than meets the eye.
Below are crucial tips on correctly using a hammer and effectively hammering into different materials.
1. Select the appropriate hammer.
No, that’s not accurate. There exist various types of hammers, but the 16-ounce curved-claw hammer positioned on the far left, as depicted here, is commonly found in many households and is considered a suitable option for its versatility in various tasks.
If you only need one hammer, this is a great choice. However, if you want a slightly lighter version of this hammer, you should consider its smaller counterpart, the 13-ounce curved claw hammer. For many individuals, a smaller hammer will be more manageable and easier to control.
Although the 20 to 30-ounce ripping-claw framing hammer is frequently utilized to drive concrete nails, most homeowners can avoid the need for such specialty hammers.
Framing hammers are designed for professional carpenters or highly skilled DIYers who frequently engage in rough-carpentry projects or demolition tasks. These hammers have a resemblance to regular claw hammers, however, they possess straighter claws, longer handles, and significantly heavier heads.
Both of these types of claw hammers are specifically made for striking hardened nails and wood. It is important to note that they are not suitable for pounding on stone or concrete, and they should not be utilized for driving steel masonry chisels or any other metal items.
Here are a few other specialty hammers that you may want to consider:
A tack hammer is a tool that typically features two striking surfaces on opposite ends of its head. Its primary purpose is to drive small brads and tacks, specifically carpet tacks. Certain tack hammers come equipped with a magnetic head, which aids in securely holding tiny tacks by their heads, thereby facilitating easier driving.
The ball peen hammer is intended for metalwork and features a flat-faced head along with a rounded head, both made of specially hardened steel.
The Mason hammer is designed with a striking face on one side and a chisel-shaped cutting pick on the other side. It is available in various sizes and is specifically intended for scoring and splitting bricks or breaking small pieces off rocks.
A mallet is created from either wood or rubber and is specifically designed to strike wood without causing any harmful marks.
The drywall hammer is equipped with a small ax face on one side of its head, enabling the user to create holes in drywall. On the opposite side of the hammer, there is a flat face specifically designed for driving drywall nails.
The cub hammer or sledgehammer both have varying sizes but share the same foundation design as heavy-headed tools utilized for activities such as demolition or masonry work.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Nail
The designation for nail length is indicated by the letter “d” and is commonly known as “penny.” A nail with a size of 2d, also referred to as a two-penny nail, has a length of one inch. Each additional penny corresponds to an increase in length by one inch. To illustrate, a 6d nail is four pennies larger in size compared to a 2d nail, accounting for a total length of two inches. Nails exceeding 20d, or four inches, are no longer referred to as nails, but instead are known as spikes. These spikes are ordered based on their length in inches rather than their penny size.
When engaging in rough carpentry tasks like fastening wood studs to floor plates or building header or corner posts, opt for a three-inch or “16 penny common” nail.
The term “common nail” is used to describe the nail’s shaft diameter. It is the largest nail out of the nail family. The nails can be arranged in order of decreasing size of their shaft’s cross-section as box, casing, finish, and brad nails.
Nails are able to be created using iron, steel, bronze, aluminum, or stainless steel and can have an optional coating of zinc, cement, resin, or vinyl. The shafts of nails can either be smooth, serrated, or spiraled. When fastening two-by-fours together, it is recommended to utilize 16-penny vinyl-coated common sinkers. For the process of toenailing, which involves driving a nail at an angle, it is advised to use 8 penny vinyl-coated box nails.
When considering the various types of nails, it is important to note that for household purposes, the following are commonly used.
Common nails, which are widely utilized for wood framing and other structural tasks such as walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs, are regular heavy-duty nails.
Box nails, which are designed for basic wood construction, are thinner and weaker compared to the common nail.
Finish nails have thin dimensions and small, rounded heads. They are universally preferred for various applications such as baseboards, window and door casing, and crown molding.
Casing nails are similar to finishing nails, but they possess a slightly thicker shaft and a head that is shaped like a cone. They are utilized for heavier wood applications where there is a requirement for increased holding strength.
Brad nails, which are similar to small finish nails, are ideal for attaching thin strips of trim or joining glued wood pieces due to their thinner and weaker nature. These nails are commonly employed by nail guns that are typically used in craft or do-it-yourself projects.
When choosing nails for a specific project, it is advisable to consult with the salesperson at your local home improvement store, especially if you need to secure objects like decor to brick or block walls.
3. It is necessary to wear eye protection.
Due to not being a power tool, many individuals underestimate the significance of wearing eye protection during the task of hammering nails. However, it should be noted that nails have the potential to deviate and be propelled towards the face, while fragments of concrete or wood can fragment and be hurled, and even portions of the hammer face can break off and become airborne.
Wearing a pair of lightweight, inexpensive eye protectors while hammering is a highly simple and effective measure for protection. It is imperative to always have eye protection and never proceed without it.
4. Ensure that you grip the hammer in the proper manner.
To develop the habit of holding the hammer correctly, avoid gripping it by the neck and tapping on a nail to begin hammering, as this gives the impression of incompetence.
To hold the hammer correctly, grasp it towards the end of the handle. Familiarize yourself with its sensation. Gently swing it in your hand. A hammer of good quality will possess a pleasing balance and incorporate a small curve or wider part at the handle’s end to aid in grip.
Once you have achieved a perfect grip on the hammer, you are prepared to execute a swing.
Make sure to grasp the nail correctly.
One very common error that often occurs when beginning to nail is gripping the nail close to the bottom, in contact with the wood surface.
This is absolutely incorrect because, in the event that the nail’s head is missed (which is bound to happen, particularly for beginners), there is a high probability that the hammer’s head will crush your fingers against the wood. By grasping the nail closer to the top, you allow yourself some room for error and decrease the likelihood of severely bruising or fracturing your fingers if accidents happen.
6. Applying the Hammer to the Nail.
Make sure to put on your safety glasses before you initiate the first strike.
When nailing, always keep your eyes on the head of the nail and do not hesitate to swing with full force. Delicate taps with the hammer that require 10 or 12 strikes to deeply drive the nail significantly raise the likelihood of bending it and will rapidly fatigue your wrist. Allow the hammer’s face to take on most of the work on your behalf.
To comfortably hold the hammer, ensure that you grip the end of its handle. Avoid holding it like a baseball bat that you would use for a bunt. If you are right-handed, rest your left heel on the stable surface that needs to be nailed. Begin by lightly tapping the hammer with a firm motion. Move your left hand away and use full swings from your shoulder (not your wrist) to firmly strike the nail with two or three blows. To prevent missing, always keep your eyes focused on the nail.
It is important to exercise caution during the second swing as it is the most perilous. In this particular swing, there is a high risk of smashing thumbs, bending nails, and if one happens to miss the nail head, it can shoot across the room swiftly resembling a bullet. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of one’s focus and surroundings while executing this swing.
7. Ensure proper swinging technique and successfully strike the nail.
The goal when using a hammer is to strike the nail directly on the head, but this is not as simple as it may seem. If you have observed a novice, you will realize that it is a challenging task. The following steps outline the correct procedure to hammer a nail without it bending.
- Hold the nail near the top, just under the head, with the sharp tip positioned where you want to drive the nail. Hold the nail perfectly perpendicular to the nailing surface.
- Place the hammerhead centered on the head of the nail.
- Draw back the hammer primarily with elbow motion, along with a slight backward bend of the wrist.
- Watch the head of the nail (not the hammer), as you swing forward with an accelerating motion. Just as you contact the nail head, there should be a slight forward snap of the wrist. The blow should not be violent, just a gradually accelerating swing.
Once you become skilled at nailing, you will realize that utilizing a few precise and gentle strikes is much more effective than vigorously hammering a nail with excessive force.
8. Hack for sponges
To protect your fingers from the hammer, use a soft dry sponge as a barrier between them. Ensure that the sponge is soft on both sides.
1. First, insert the nail into the sponge, ensuring it is aligned with the desired location on the wall. 2. Securely position the sponge with the nail against the chosen spot on the wall. 3. Begin hammering the nail, ensuring its depth reaches the intended level within the wall. 4. Lastly, swiftly remove the sponge after successfully hammering the nail into place.
Safety warnings are found on various objects for a reason, such as toys and paper coffee cups, as someone must have misused them and suffered injuries. It is crucial not to ignore these safety warnings. If you are unsure about your ability to use a hammer effectively even with these tricks, it is advisable to stop using it and seek assistance from a professional handyman or handywoman.
