Hammer Bits

What You May Not Know About Hammers

The hammer is no doubt one of the most simple of hand tools that there is. After all it consists of only a head and a handle and is used for banging things in. However there is more to think about with this tool than you might have previously thought. For instance, they come in a variety of styles, sizes, and functionalities as well. So, if you're performing basic simple repairs in your home, which one do you choose to keep on hand?

There are some tools that you would put under the category of hammers, but are only used for specialized purposes.

In general, there are some tools that fall into the hammers category that are only used for more specialized tasks. These comprise of the ball-peen hammer used for metalwork, mallets and mauls, which are woodworking tools; and the more heavy-duty choice like the sledgehammer or roofers hammer.

If you're only looking for something to simply drive nails and breaks things apart now and then, we'll disregard these aforementioned hammer choices, and focus on the more common varieties.

The striking surface of the hammer, or more commonly known as the hammerhead is made up usually of metal.

Hammer handles are made to allow for a good grip, which extends the arc of the swing of the hammer, which therefore increases the velocity of the hammer, and increases the amount of pressure given in the strike of the hammer. Now a day, the grips are made to absorb a large amount of the shock when the hammer is struck.

Commonly hammer handles are made of wood, just as they were back when they were invented. This will absorb some of the shock from a hammer strike pretty efficiently, however, eventually the handle will have to be replaced. As well, these handles easily chip or break, while a metal or fiberglass handle very seldom will do so.

The metal hammer handle was invented about a hundred or so years ago. Again they are very durable and will seldom be damaged from a strike, but the absorption factor is not near as strong as that of a wooden handle. Therefore, usually a metal hammer will be equipped with some sort of cushioning for the grip. This both helps absorb shock, as well as giving you added gripping power.

Now popular, fiberglass has made its way into the hammer handle world. Fiberglass is great and kills two birds with one stone so to speak, because of the fact that it both absorbs shock while also being durable to bad-aimed strikes. As well, they hold an added benefit of being the best hammer for electricians.

So now that you know a bit more about hammers and how they're made, as well as which materials are best, you have the power to make your own decision about which you will choose. Choose one that fits well with both your preferred grip, as well as your budget, and purpose of use and you can't go wrong. Unless you hit your finger of course - OUCH!

About the Author

Linden Walhard frequently writes news stories on news about antique tools and discount tools. You might discover his work on
hand tools
and antique tools on his site.

Vermont American 6 Piece Set Rotary Hammer Bits 14135 $38.69 Use rotary hammer bits for drilling in concrete stone brick and cinder block. A specially formulated carbide tip withstands impact sustained from hammer drills. Entire length of bit is fully hardened to Rockwell 45 C for extra strength. For use in hammer drills with rotary and hammer settings. Includes two 3/16 and one .25 one 5/16 one .38 and one .50 rotary hammer bits. Carded. Length: 8.6. Width: 0.8. Height: 2.9

Bosch HCFC2061B25 3/8-in x 6-1/2-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $179.99 3/8" x 6-1/2" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2061B25

Bosch HC2061B25 SDS-plus S4 3/8-in D 4-in Hammer Carbide Bits (25/pkg) $59.99 SDS-plus S4 3/8"D 4" Hammer Carbide Bits (25/pkg) - HC2061B25

Bosch HCBG04B25 Blue Granite 3/16-in x 4-in Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) $59.99 Blue Granite 3/16" x 4" Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) - HCBG04B25

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Bosch HCFC2081B25 1/2-in x 6-1/2-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $219.99 1/2" x 6-1/2" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2081B25

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Bosch HCFC2014B25 3/16-in x 12-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $279.99 3/16" x 12" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2014B25

Bosch HCFC2041B25 1/4-in x 6-1/2-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $100 1/4" x 6-1/2" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2041B25

Bosch HCFC2044B25 1/4-in x 12-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $279.99 1/4" x 12" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2044B25

Bosch HC2041B25 SDS-plus S4 1/4-in D 4-in Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $39.99 SDS-plus S4 1/4"D 4" Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HC2041B25

Bosch HC2013B25 SDS-plus S4 3/16-in D 8-in Hammer Carbide Bits (25/pkg) $139.99 SDS-plus S4 3/16"D 8" Hammer Carbide Bits (25/pkg) - HC2013B25

Bosch HCFC2012B25 3/16-in x 8-1/2-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $139.99 3/16" x 8-1/2" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2012B25

Bosch HCFC2042B25 1/4-in x 8-1/2-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $129.99 1/4" x 8-1/2" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2042B25

Bosch HCFC2040B25 1/4-in x 4-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $100 1/4" x 4" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2040B25

Bosch HCFC2084B25 1/2-in x 12-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $379.99 1/2" x 12" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2084B25

Bosch HCFC2010B25 3/16-in x 4-in SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) $100 3/16" x 4" SDS-plus X5L Hammer Carbide Bits (25 pk) - HCFC2010B25

Bosch HCBG16B25 Blue Granite 1/2-in x 4-in Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) $109.99 Blue Granite 1/2" x 4" Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) - HCBG16B25

Bosch HCBG02B25 Blue Granite 5/32-in x 4-in Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) $59.99 Blue Granite 5/32" x 4" Carbide Hammer Drill Bits (25 pk) - HCBG02B25

C.R. Laurence GJNZ1JYN2K CRL Milwaukee .38in. x 4in. x 6in. Premium SDS Hammer Drill Bits 20 $300.3 CRL Milwaukee 3/8 x 4 x 6 Premium SDS Hammer Drill Bits 20

Makita HM1810X3 70 lb. AVT Breaker Hammer $1429.99 70 lb. Breaker Hammer - HM1810X3. Hex Wrench #5 - 783203-8. Hammer Cart. (4) Bits. Operating Manual

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 8th, 2006 at 6:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.