Non Multitools

[Mechanickal]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

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...

I'm short circuited at the moment...

[firiki]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

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Need more info

[AimlessWanderer]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

(Image removed from quote.)

Need more info

Snail Brand (old English company - now defunkt) Roofing Tool

[Fuzzbucket]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

(Image removed from quote.)

Need more info

Snail Brand (old English company - now defunkt) Roofing Tool

Wait a minute - hold the bus!!! That is clearly a "multi" tool (and yes i am doing that thing with the fingers), i refer you sir to the title of this thread...

[Syncop8r]

These three are my absolute favourites - all USA made: Li'l Pro, Estwing Weight Forward and an unbranded Cat's Paw (technically not a hammer, but it gets used to hit things... so it's a hammer).

wow that middle one sure looks futuristic   

Thanks, it's the best hammer ive ever had... it's definitely the best belter!

That version of it is really hard to get in the UK now - they didn't sell well here at first, so Estwing decided to stick a round bit on the front to make it look more hammer like... totally mucking up the design (sigh).

How does it differ from the standard Estwings (apart from looks)?

[Syncop8r]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

[firiki]

Recently, I got this STANLEY 1-54-911 hammer



to replace one whose handle finally gave up the ghost. The old one's head is just fine but having a good new handle fitted would cost around €10 so I figured I'd pay a couple monnies more and get a new hammer.

I thought about getting a GEDORE (HABERO) ROTBAND-PLUS 500 g for €18 but I couldn't find one near me and since I like to check things before buying them I went with the STANLEY. Having -just slighty- sworn off wooden handles for some things might have helped tip the balance a little but I digress...

I picked this STANLEY hammer 'cause it feels quite well balanced and allows for a confortable grip all along the shaft (pfrsantos, naughty step; you know why ), also because the rubber around the shaft is a nice addition (pfrsantos, you know the drill )

However, two days ago I used it for the first time to give a few light taps on a wood screw I wanted to lower just by a hair. The wood the screw was fastened on was quite decayed and I know I'm not supposed to drive screws with a hammer but I've done that before and so I wasn't expecting to see this:



The brown part isn't as pronounced as the flash (sorry about that, those are the best pics I could get) makes it appear and was there almost since the beginning.

I guess they do mean it about the safety eyewear?!

[firiki]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

(Image removed from quote.)

Need more info

Snail Brand (old English company - now defunkt) Roofing Tool

Thank you.

WANT

[firiki]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

All I know is I don't get claw hammers...

[Fuzzbucket]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

Well if... actually... good point.

[firiki]

I see your combined hammers and prybars, and raise by an axe ...

(Image removed from quote.)

Need more info

Snail Brand (old English company - now defunkt) Roofing Tool

Wait a minute - hold the bus!!! That is clearly a "multi" tool (and yes i am doing that thing with the fingers), i refer you sir to the title of this thread...

Well, one could argue it is simply a trade specific tool 

Besides, no matter how much I try I can't bring myself to see a hammer as a single use tool but rather as a means of adjustment.

Just like how I can't see these two items as non-multitools:



The thing with the green handle is from late '80s, it's been repeatedly used, by me and others, as a chisel through concrete and other stuff, as a lever, as a pry tool, as a scraper, as a punch and even as a small parts retriever since it is magnetic -it still is though just barely enough to keep a screw in place- and it's lived to tell the tale.



On occasion it works well as a slotted screwdriver too. I love those things, I have 4 or five different sizes.

The knife is a MORA 510 (newer version) I recently used to do work on wood for home maintenance and I'm not done yet. It sure can do more than just cut 

[Fuzzbucket]

These three are my absolute favourites - all USA made: Li'l Pro, Estwing Weight Forward and an unbranded Cat's Paw (technically not a hammer, but it gets used to hit things... so it's a hammer).

wow that middle one sure looks futuristic   

Thanks, it's the best hammer ive ever had... it's definitely the best belter!

That version of it is really hard to get in the UK now - they didn't sell well here at first, so Estwing decided to stick a round bit on the front to make it look more hammer like... totally mucking up the design (sigh).

How does it differ from the standard Estwings (apart from looks)?

As most the weight's at the front, it gives a bit more of a bang while using less effort... it feels lovely in the hand too - as in you want to swing it. I do like the all metal estwings too though, i had a lovely leather bound one years ago, but it got nick'd.

[Fuzzbucket]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

All I know is I don't get claw hammers...

Your hammers look more like traditional hammers though!!!

[Syncop8r]

Thanks, a standard Estwing is on the list but if I see one of those I might get it instead. 
As long is it rides OK in a tool belt. 

[Fuzzbucket]

Thanks, a standard Estwing is on the list but if I see one of those I might get it instead. 
As long is it rides OK in a tool belt. 

Go for it mate!!!

[firiki]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

All I know is I don't get claw hammers...

Your hammers look more like traditional hammers though!!!

Sledgehammers, mallets and special hammers aside, the hammers you'll see most often around here have heads like the STANLEY I got, then like this



and also ball peen hammers.

The claw hammers I've associated with the Anglosphere, for some reason. Maybe I'm wrong. I understand their use I just don't like the idea of putting so much stress on the handle where it meets the hammer's head 

[Don Pablo]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

All I know is I don't get claw hammers...

Your hammers look more like traditional hammers though!!!

Sledgehammers, mallets and special hammers aside, the hammers you'll see most often around here have heads like the STANLEY I got, then like this

(Image removed from quote.)

and also ball peen hammers.

The claw hammers I've associated with the Anglosphere, for some reason. Maybe I'm wrong. I understand their use I just don't like the idea of putting so much stress on the handle where it meets the hammer's head 

Well, we seem to love our claw hammers here. I get the impression that the claw hammer is considered THE hammer, and everything else is for "speSmurfpillsed" tasks. 

[Fuzzbucket]

Isn't even a claw hammer a multitool? 

All I know is I don't get claw hammers...

Your hammers look more like traditional hammers though!!!

Sledgehammers, mallets and special hammers aside, the hammers you'll see most often around here have heads like the STANLEY I got, then like this

(Image removed from quote.)

and also ball peen hammers.

The claw hammers I've associated with the Anglosphere, for some reason. Maybe I'm wrong. I understand their use I just don't like the idea of putting so much stress on the handle where it meets the hammer's head 

I've had a hammer head fly off... and in a perfect arc too, but ive never managed to snap or damage one using the claw end. I've seen a few of the single piece estwings bent in two by being run over though.
I agree about claw hammers being an angloshere thing, but saying that, the Japanese have them too, but the proportions are completely different... that might be an American influence post ww2?

[firiki]

Well, we seem to love our claw hammers here. I get the impression that the claw hammer is considered THE hammer, and everything else is for "speSmurfpillsed" tasks. 

Thanks for the insight, Pablitos. Surely there's an explanation I am not aware of.

[firiki]

I've had a hammer head fly off... and in a perfect arc too, but ive never managed to snap or damage one using the claw end. I've seen a few of the single piece estwings bent in two by being run over though.
I agree about claw hammers being an angloshere thing, but saying that, the Japanese have them too, but the proportions are completely different... that might be an American influence post ww2?

Reminds me I still need to fix a total of three hammer heads I am very intrigued by those one-piece Estwing hammers (and hatchets ) but nobody sells them locally and Amazon won't ship them to Greece     

If I had to guess I'd say it must have something to do with the pioneers around the world. One tool doing two jobs relevant to eachother has many benefits when gear and materials are scarce, hard to come by and carry around, as a nail puller-crowbar would be. Plus, a claw hammer can help speed things up when building something and you have to rectify something.

Just guesses, though

[Syncop8r]

You're probably onto something there. A claw hammer is essential equipment for any builder here.
A builder friend of mine took his Estwing back for replacement (I can't remember the issue). They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

[firiki]

On the new forum question: I've thought about it a few times and while it does seem a good idea I feel we might be better served by dedicated threads (like Hand Tool Porn or For Hand Tool Lovers, Addicts and Aficionados). Should said threads become so numerous then a new forum might be in order.

[firiki]

... They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

Oooh; that's low and contemptible! It's only natural for one to do that (unless there are nail straighteners now that I am not aware of)?

I hope your friend took his business elsewhere.

[Syncop8r]

... They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

I hope your friend took his business elsewhere.

It was a warrantee (or guarantee? ) issue, he was taking it back to where he had purchased it from.

[Fuzzbucket]

You're probably onto something there. A claw hammer is essential equipment for any builder here.
A builder friend of mine took his Estwing back for replacement (I can't remember the issue). They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

That is quite shocking actually - I mean, sidey-ways belting is about 25% of what a claw hammer is used for.

[Fuzzbucket]

... They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

I hope your friend took his business elsewhere.

It was a warrantee (or guarantee? ) issue, he was taking it back to where he had purchased it from.

Well in that case he should have smote the fella with said hammer!

[firiki]

Last week I was in a big-box store to return some things I didn't need after all. Since they are one of the few places to carry a good selection of BAHCO tools, instead of getting a refund I thought I'd get me one of those much fabled BAHCO adjustable spanners/wrenches.



I was going to add a few monnies and get a 10-inch one to replace mine that isn't so good after all but I ended up with a 8-inch version instead because I checked all three 10-inch copies hanging there and they all had some sort of flaw: two had jaws that weren't parallel and the third one's worm screw would get stuck about 1/4 before fully closed.

I went through about ten 8-inch copies to find one with perfectly parallel jaws when fully closed, which makes me wonder whether the good people at BAHCO (a SNAP-ON affiliate, remember) find this acceptable and if maybe I'm just being too picky?

But then on my lowly 6'' UNIOR this never happens, on my 8'' IREGA it happened a few times out of several I checked and on my 10" EXPERT that happens every time but I already said that one's not really good. Beefy and slippery yes, much good no.

Overall, I see why people say these are the best adjustables; nicely balanced evenly instead of towards the business end, they are chunky and feel solid without being too heavy and they are angled at a very useful 15-degree angle. The jaws grip tightly even at the tip and they don't seem to loosen up or let go, although I haven't really tested the thing yet.

I like the fact the jaws taper towards the tip and that they are just phosphated instead of plated. Chrome plating makes all my other wrenches prone to slipping at some point. I have the impression that this isn't the case with the BAHCO. Hopefully, with a little care the black finish will last well.

All in all, I like this new adj. wrench so far. For some reason, though, it makes me feel I wouldn't want to put a lot of torque on it nor use it as a hammer to give something a small encouraging pat on the back. Time will tell.

[firiki]

... They declined as his had little marks on the side of the head, a result of straightening nails that have bent as they are being driven in, which everyone does.

I hope your friend took his business elsewhere.

It was a warrantee (or guarantee? ) issue, he was taking it back to where he had purchased it from.

I thought you meant Estwing declined. What's their return policy?

Anyway, I think the retailer is at fault here. A happy customer is more likely to come back. 

[Vidar]

I went through about ten 8-inch copies to find one with perfectly parallel jaws when fully closed, which makes me wonder whether the good people at BAHCO (a SNAP-ON affiliate, remember) find this acceptable and if maybe I'm just being too picky?

But then on my lowly 6'' UNIOR this never happens, on my 8'' IREGA it happened a few times out of several I checked and on my 10" EXPERT that happens every time but I already said that one's not really good. Beefy and slippery yes, much good no.

I'm not sure a test of parallel jaws when fully close is the most relevant test? After all that is equal to gripping a zero size bolt which nobody actually has - there might even be slack that tightens up and become parallel with actual use pressure. A better test might be to check the grip with some pressure added at relevant sizes? Granted that is not so easy in shops, and parallel stop do give some indication of whether sloppy or not.

Another thing I ponder is whether parallel is really that important at all? Adjustable wrenches should be rotated/ pulled towards the movable jaw and then the force and contact with the nut is basically only at the outermost part of the moveable jaw. Whether it makes contact anywhere else on the moveable jaw is of little importance. (It might even be a good idea with ever so little clearance at other areas so it wont connect with the wrong area first when closing).

Personally I've come to prefer plier wrenches over adjustable wrenches. They adjust faster, have perfect grips, and ratchet action as a bonus. (Unless too close to their max size).
 

[Fuzzbucket]

I went through about ten 8-inch copies to find one with perfectly parallel jaws when fully closed, which makes me wonder whether the good people at BAHCO (a SNAP-ON affiliate, remember) find this acceptable and if maybe I'm just being too picky?

But then on my lowly 6'' UNIOR this never happens, on my 8'' IREGA it happened a few times out of several I checked and on my 10" EXPERT that happens every time but I already said that one's not really good. Beefy and slippery yes, much good no.

I'm not sure a test of parallel jaws when fully close is the most relevant test? After all that is equal to gripping a zero size bolt which nobody actually has - there might even be slack that tightens up and become parallel with actual use pressure. A better test might be to check the grip with some pressure added at relevant sizes? Granted that is not so easy in shops, and parallel stop do give some indication of whether sloppy or not.

I just do the wiggle test - if the moving bit wiggles a lot - pffft, if it wiggles only a little bit - fine.