A hammer is a striking tool consisting of a heavy head and a handle, with which you transfer force to a small area through a swinging blow. The hammer is one of the oldest and most widely used tools in construction and woodworking. The mass of the head and the length of the handle together determine how much striking force you can deliver.
Construction
A hammer consists of several fixed parts:
- Head — usually of hardened steel, with a face (striking surface) on one side
- Peen or claw — the back of the head; this may be a point, a peen, or a split claw (for pulling nails)
- Handle — of wood (ash), fibreglass, or steel; its length determines the leverage
- Eye — the opening in which the handle is fixed into the head
Applications
Depending on the job, you choose a different type of hammer. Commonly used variants include:
- Claw hammer — for driving and pulling nails, the standard in carpentry
- Bench hammer — a general-purpose workshop hammer
- Club hammer or sledgehammer — a heavy hammer for demolition and driving in stakes
- Chipping hammer — for working stone and removing mortar
- Rubber mallet — for tapping without damage, for example with tiles or paving
Always choose a hammer weight that suits the job: too light means needlessly many blows, too heavy causes quick fatigue and less control. Always strike squarely on the face to avoid glancing blows.
Related terms
- Bench hammer
- Chipping hammer
- Nail
- Wire nail
- Tool
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.