Starter Set For Hammer Safety

Manufacturers of hammers and other striking and struck tools emphasize that proper selection of a hammer is one of the first steps in using a hammer safely.

To make their point even clearer these manufacturers, through their trade association, the Hand Tools Institute (HTI), have set up some suggested guidelines to help the consumers put together a basic set of striking and struck tools that can perform most routine jobs around the home.

For the more experienced handyperson HTI also has the same recommendations for a more advanced set of tools plus valuable information for both the beginner and the veteran on how to use those tools safely.

The Institute stresses that no matter what striking or struck tool is selected by the householder, safety goggles should be worn - - for all hammering jobs.

Starter Set

Here is the basic set of hammers which HTI suggests for the beginning handyperson.

A medium weight (16oz.) nail hammer -- to accomplish the many household projects requiring the use of the relatively soft common nail. Not for: masonry nails, cold chisels or other metal.

A medium (16oz.) ball pein hammer -- for striking the very small hand chisels and punches and for riveting, shaping and straightening unhardened metal.

A three pound hand drilling hammer -- for use with metal striking tool – cold chisels, brick chisels, star drills – and for hardened masonry nails.

A magnetic tack hammer -- for light chores. Has a magnetic face on one end to help set tacks before driving them home with the other end.

At 3 ˝ inch half hatchet -- for splitting wood and driving wooden stakes. Its striking face can be used for driving common nails.

Advanced Set

A 20 ounce ripping hammer -- to help with rough, heavy work. Its straight claw helps in prying boards and nails.

A soft faced hammer of plastic, rubber, wood, or rawhide -- for gentle hammering or tapping of surfaces that could be damaged by a metal striking face. Helpful for gluing furniture, closing doweled joints, replacing hub caps, etc.

An 8 pound sledge -- for heavier work involved in striking wood, metal, concrete or stone.

A 24 ounce brick hammer -- for use on brick or concrete blocks. Sharp edge is used for chipping mortar and for scoring bricks before splitting them – not for striking brick chisels and sets.

A 3˝ pound single bit axe – use for cutting and splitting logs for the fireplace. Its edge can be used for notching and shaping logs while its blunt end can be used for driving wooden stakes.

An 8 pound woodchoppers’ maul – for splitting wood. Its sharp edge is for splitting small logs and for starting a notch in larger diameter logs into which a wood splitting wedge is placed. The wedge is then driven by the striking face of the maul.

HTI reminds the user that there are many other types and sizes of hammers, and other struck tools, to fit various jobs and individuals. It stresses that the individual should take care to fit the hammer to himself as well as the job to be tackled.

Manufacturing plays a central role in the economic growth of our nation, primarily through a unique, interdependent system of innovation that affects all sectors of the economy. By nurturing innovations from concepts through to full-fledged improvements in products and processes, American manufacturing is responsible for providing the basis for more jobs, improved productivity, prosperity and a higher quality of life. Support American Manufacturing.

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