A hammer is a hammer. No big deal, right? While you could possibly do most any job with any hammer, make things easier on yourself and match the tool to the job. This guide will show you how.
Types of Hammers
| Type | Uses/Features | Example |
| Curved Claw Hammer | - Driving and removing nails, general carpentry
- Usually range from 16 to 20 oz with wooden, fiberglass or steel handle
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| Ripping Claw Hammer | - Driving and removing nails, general carpentry
- Usually range from 16 to 25 oz with wooden, fiberglass or steel handle
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| Fiberglass Hammer | - Lightweight, comfortable and durable
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| Framing Hammer | - Driving and removing large nails, heavy carpentry work
- Usually heavier than ripping or curved claw hammers with longer handle
- The added weight and longer handle give added power to the hamme
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| Shingler's Hammer | - Installing and cutting roofing materials
- Most have a serrated (waffled) face for better grip on nail heads and hatchet-shaped backs for cutting roofing material
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| Drywall Hammer | - Installing and removing drywall
- Most have a serrated face for better grip on nail heads and hatched-shaped backs for cutting drywall
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| Ball Peen Hammer | - Bending and shaping metal
- Range from 4 to 32 oz. with wooden or graphite handle
|  |
| Tack Hammer | - Driving tacks and brads
- Lightweight, usually with wooden handle
- Most have magnetized heads to hold fasteners
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| Bricklayer's/Tilesetter's Hammer | - Setting or cutting brick or tile
- Usually 15 to 24 oz. with wooden, fiberglass or steel handle
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| Rock Pick | - Setting, cutting and laying stone
- Similar to the bricklayer's hammer except the peen is ground to a poin
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| Rubber Mallet | - Assembling wooden or other fragile pieces
- Usually 12 to 28 oz. with wooden handle
- Must have non-marring bounce-resistant (dead blow) heads.
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Engineer's Hammer (Baby Sledge or Drilling Hammer) | - Heavy hammering or demolition
- 1 - 5 lbs. with wooden, fiberglass or steel handle
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| Sledge Hammer | - Driving stakes, pins and wedges or demolition
- 8 to 16 lbs. with wooden or fiberglass handle
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Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.
