types of hammers: Precautions, Applications, useful Important fact

Hammer – The Helping Hand of the Workshop

A hammer is one of the most useful and commonly used tools in any workshop. It is a strong hand tool that helps us do many different kinds of work.

We use a hammer to:

• Hit nails into wood or walls
• Join or remove tight parts
• Straighten bent wires or metal sheets
• Cut or shape metal using a chisel
• Fix rivets and do forging work

In simple words, jobs like hammering, bending, shaping, cutting, and joining are all done with the help of a hammer. Many types of hammers are used in workshops.

But remember—safety comes first.
Before using a hammer, always check:

• Is the handle strong and properly fixed?
• Is it loose or cracked?

A loose handle can cause accidents. So, never use a damaged hammer.

Also, choose the right weight of hammer for the work. If it’s too heavy or too light, it can make your job harder or unsafe.

Material Used to Make Hammers

Hammers are made using different materials, depending on the type of work they are used for.

If a hammer is used in heavy work like fitting or machine shops, it is made from strong metals like cast steel or drop-forged carbon steel. These hammers need to be tough so they don’t break or bend during hard work.

But when a hammer is used in lighter work like shaping thin metal sheets, it is made from softer materials like wood, rubber, or plastic. These hammers don’t damage the surface they hit.

Main Parts of a Hammer

A hammer may look simple, but it has many important parts. Each part has a special job to do. Let’s learn about them:

(1) Handle
The handle is the part we hold while using the hammer. Most handles are made of wood. Why? Because wood doesn’t carry electricity and it feels good to hold. The handle gives control and grip while working.

(2) Eye Hole
This is the hole in the hammer’s head where the handle is fixed. It is usually oval-shaped. To make the handle tight and strong, a wedge is sometimes pushed inside the hole along with the handle.

(3) Face
This is the flat front part of the hammer. It is used to hit things like nails, rivets, or metal sheets. The face should be smooth and strong, because it gets used a lot.

(4) Peen
The peen is on the back side of the hammer’s head. It points in the opposite direction of the face. Peens come in different shapes depending on the job. Some common types are:

• Ball Peen – round shape
• Cross Peen – thin across
• Straight Peen – thin straight

Each one is used for different tasks like shaping or bending metal.

(5) Cheek
The cheek is the side part of the hammer’s head. It lies between the face and the peen. It doesn’t hit anything, but it helps hold the shape and strength of the hammer.

Types of Hammers

Hammers are important tools that help us in many types of work. They are used to hit, shape, or break things. Based on their weight, hammers are divided into different types of hammers. Let’s understand them one by one:

1. Hand Hammer

Hand hammers are used for light and simple work. They are easy to carry and use.
Their weight can be between 0.125 kg to 1.5 kg, and they have a handle that is usually 25 cm to 35 cm long.

The head of the hammer has two main parts:

• Face – the front side, used for hitting.
• Peen – the back side, used for shaping metal.

Both face and peen are made strong and hard so they don’t get damaged. The middle part of the hammer head is called the post, which is kept soft to stop the hammer from breaking easily.

There are different types of hammers, based on the shape of the peen:

• (i) Ball Peen Hammer – It has a round back. Used in metal work.
• (ii) Cross Peen Hammer – The peen is like a flat blade, placed sideways.
• (iii) Straight Peen Hammer – The blade-like peen is placed straight, in line with the handle.
• (iv) Double Faced Hammer – It has a face on both sides instead of a peen. Used for heavy hitting.

. Ball Peen Hammer

This hammer has two parts:

• One side is flat, just like a regular hammer.
• The other side is round like a ball, which is called the peen.

We use the ball peen hammer for:

• Light hitting
• Chipping
• Marking
• And especially for riveting (joining metal parts using a rivet).

When we hit with the round part, it helps spread the end of the rivet nicely and evenly, making a strong joint.

📷 Picture: Ball Peen Hammer

2. Cross Peen Hammer

This hammer also has a flat face on one side.
But the peen (the back part) is shaped like a small line going across, almost like a tiny roof or a “^” mark.
It is called “cross peen” because this line is at a right angle (90°) to the handle.

We use it when we want to:

• Work in small spaces
• Shape or stretch metal in a certain direction

Weight: It comes in different sizes – from 0.125 kg to 1.5 kg.

📷 Picture: Cross Peen Hammer

3. Straight Peen Hammer

This hammer is a lot like the cross peen hammer.
It also has a flat face on one side.
But the peen is in a straight line, going in the same direction as the handle – that’s why it is called straight peen.

It is very useful for:

• Spreading metal sideways
• Hitting in corners or narrow areas

Weight: It also comes in sizes between 0.125 kg and 1.5 kg.

📷 Picture: Straight Peen Hammer

4. Double Face Hammer

This hammer is special because it has two flat faces, one on each side.
So you can use both ends to hit.

It is commonly used:

• When working with large rivets
• To hit a cup tool from either side
  

Claw Hammer

This is a claw hammer. Carpenters use it every day.

One side of this hammer has a flat face. This flat part is used to hit nails and push them into wood.

The other side has a shape like a tong, which is made by cutting a slit in the hammer. This part is called the claw. The claw is used to pull out nails from wood.

This hammer does not have a peen (a rounded or ball-shaped end like in some other hammers).

It is strong, useful, and helps in both putting nails in and taking them out.

Soft Hammer

Sometimes, we have to hit something gently—without leaving any marks or scratches on it.

For that, we use a soft hammer.

Soft hammers are made from materials that are softer than metal, so they don’t damage the surface. These materials can be wood, copper, plastic, nylon, raw leather, or hard rubber.

Soft hammers are used when:

• We are fixing or removing bearings
• We are putting parts together
• We are working on finished items and want to keep them looking nice

Soft hammers come in different types of hammers :

1. Rawhide Hammer – Made from raw leather. It is strong and gentle.
2. Mallet – Usually made from wood or rubber. It is very common and useful.
3. Nylon Hammer – Has a nylon head. It is soft but very durable.
4. Plastic Hammer – Made from hard plastic. It is light and doesn’t damage the surface.

These hammers help us do careful work without causing any harm to the material.

Raw Leather Hammer

This hammer looks like a regular double-faced hammer made of steel. But there’s something special about it—both sides of the hammer are covered with raw leather pieces.
Because of this soft leather, when you hit something with it, no marks are left behind. It’s perfect for jobs where you need gentle but firm hits without damaging the surface.

2. Mallet

A mallet is a hammer made entirely out of wood. It’s mainly used when working with metal sheets.
Hardwoods like sheesham, tamarind, kikar, or teak are usually used to make it.
Since it’s made of wood, it doesn’t harm the metal and gives soft, safe hits.

3. Nylon Hammer

This hammer is made with a strong steel body. On both sides of the hammerhead, round pads made of nylon are attached. Nylon is a soft, yet strong material that can handle heavy blows.
The best thing is, when you hit something with this hammer, it doesn’t leave any marks.
That’s why nylon hammers are often used in top-quality workshops, tool rooms, and even in aircraft maintenance areas.

Parts of Nylon Hammer:

• Steel body
• Nylon pads on both ends
• Handle for easy grip

4. Plastic Hammer

This hammer also has a steel body like the nylon hammer. But instead of nylon, it has plastic or rubber pads on both sides.
Just like the nylon hammer, the plastic hammer is also used for light hitting without leaving any marks.
It’s gentle, easy to handle, and great for delicate work.

Heavy Duty Hammers

These hammers are used when you need serious power. Whether you’re breaking walls or smashing stones, these are the tools to pick when you really mean business. there are two types of hammers.

Sledge Hammer

A sledge hammer is a strong and heavy tool. It is mainly used for tough and heavy jobs.

You will mostly see sledge hammers in sheet metal workshops. Workers use them to beat, shape, or forge metal. They also use this hammer for cutting metal pieces like flats or angles by hitting them hard with the help of a die.

The weight of a sledge hammer can be between 2 kg to 10 kg. The handle is long, so the worker can hold it with both hands and swing it with force. Depending on the weight, the handle length is between 600 mm to 900 mm.

Some people also call it a cube hammer because of its big, square head.

Power Hammer

A power hammer is a machine used for very big and heavy forging jobs.

Unlike a hand hammer, this one runs with the help of an electric motor. It moves up and down quickly and hits the metal with great force.

Power hammers are very useful when you need to make many parts in less time. That’s why they are often used in mass production.

Light Duty / Precision Hammers

These hammers are smaller and gentler. They are used when you need to be careful, like when working with delicate materials or doing detailed jobs. there are two types of hammers.

Tack Hammer

A tack hammer is light and easy to hold. It’s made for tiny nails called tacks, and it’s great for soft jobs like putting fabric on chairs. One side of the hammer can even hold the nail using a little magnet, so you can place it exactly where you want. People also use it in woodwork, crafts, and even when making photo frames. It lets you work neatly without damaging anything.

Trim Hammer

A trim hammer is small but strong in just the right way. It helps with finishing work like putting up trim, building cabinets, or fixing little nails. It has a flat head to gently tap nails and a small claw to pull them out without leaving marks. Its size makes it easy to work in tight spaces. If you want your work to look clean and perfect, this is the hammer you’ll want in your hand.

Precautions While Using a Hammer

Using a hammer may seem simple, but it needs care and attention. If not used properly, it can cause harm to you or damage things around you. So, here are some easy and important safety tips to follow:

1. Use the Right Hammer for the Right Job
   Every hammer is made for a purpose. Choose the one that fits your work. Don’t use a big hammer for small tasks or a small hammer for heavy jobs.
2. Hit the Right Spot with Care
   Always strike the hammer exactly where it is needed. Hitting in the wrong place can spoil the work or even hurt you.
3. Be Extra Careful with Heavy Hammers
   Heavy hammers need strong control. Hold them tightly and use them slowly to avoid accidents.
4. Avoid Hitting Other Machine Parts
   When using a hammer on a machine, hit only the required part. Avoid striking any other parts as it may damage the machine.
5. Check the Handle Before Use
   Make sure the handle of the hammer is not loose. A loose handle can slip out and hurt someone.
6. Use a Strong and Clean Handle
   The handle should not have any cracks, cuts, or knots. A weak handle can break while using and cause injury.
   

Applications of Hammer

A hammer is a simple but powerful tool that we often use in everyday life. It helps us do many kinds of work, from building things to fixing them. Here are some common uses of a hammer:

• Hammering nails: The most common use is to push nails or pins into wood or other things so they stay in place.
• Breaking things: Hammers can be used to break walls, stones, or any hard materials during demolition work.
• Shaping metal: In metalworking, hammers help shape and bend metal into different forms.
• Adjusting parts: Sometimes, a gentle tap with a hammer helps move or align a part that isn’t fitting properly.
• Removing nails: A claw hammer can pull out nails or fasteners that need to be taken out.
• Chiseling and carving: With the help of a chisel, a hammer can carve shapes into wood or stone.
• Forging: In blacksmithing, hammers are used to shape hot metal into tools, horseshoes, or other useful items.
• Riveting: In some types of construction, a hammer helps in joining metal parts by flattening the ends of rivets.

Hammers come in different shapes and sizes, each one made for a special task. From a small hammer for household work to a heavy hammer used in factories — each one plays its role.

FAQ