I'll bet you didn't know hammers could be so useful! Learn how in this tutorial! ▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR MORE RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS VIDEO▼ *Tools used in this video:* -Taylor Tools (Check them out!): lddy.no/134wc -Cross-peen hammer: amzn.to/3B9Orxg -Hardwood mallets: lddy.no/13ves -Lump Hammer (SOLD OUT): lostartpress.com/products/lump-hammer -Dead-blow mallet: lddy.no/13ves -Hard rubber/plastic mallet: lddy.no/13ves -Brass carving mallet: lddy.no/13ves -More videos on our website: stumpynubs.com/ -Subscribe to our e-Magazine: stumpynubs.com/browse-and-subscribe/ -Check out our project plans: stumpynubs.com/product-category/plans/ -Instagram: instagram.com/stumpynubs/ -Twitter: twitter.com/StumpyNubs -Facebook: facebook.com/Stumpy-Nubs-Woodworking-Journal-305639859477973/ ★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★ Taylor Tools (A great small, family owned woodworking retailor): lddy.no/134wc *Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!* (If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission) ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★ -123 Blocks: lddy.no/vpij -Mechanical Pencils: amzn.to/2PA7bwK -Lumber pencil: amzn.to/2QtwZjv -Pocket Measuring Tape: amzn.to/2kNTlI9 -Irwin Drill Bit Gauge: amzn.to/2AwTkQg -Nut/Bolt/Screw Gauge: amzn.to/2CuvxSK -Self-Centering Punch: amzn.to/2QvbcrC -Self-Centering Bits: amzn.to/2xs71UW -Angle Cube: lddy.no/10nam -Steel Ruler: lddy.no/10mv7 -Utility knife: amzn.to/3nfhIiv -Center-Finding Ruler: lddy.no/10nak -Bit & Blade Cleaner: amzn.to/2TfvEOI -Digital depth gauge: amzn.to/3mwRf2x -Wood Glue: amzn.to/3mqek6M -Spade Bits: amzn.to/3j8XPtD ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★ -Digital Caliper: amzn.to/384H1Or -Marking Gauge: lddy.no/10muz -Marking knife: lddy.no/10mv0 -Narex Chisels: lddy.no/sqm3 -Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: amzn.to/3y5HDOc -Mini Pull Saw: amzn.to/2UEHBz6 -Gent Saw: lddy.no/ss2x -Coping saw: amzn.to/2W7ZiUS -Shinwa Rulers: lddy.no/zl13 ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★ -Miter Saw: amzn.to/3gqIlQ8 -Jointer: amzn.to/3yc3gfZ -Planer: amzn.to/3mn6BGF -Router: amzn.to/3grD22S -Sander: amzn.to/3DdvD0Y -Cordless drill: amzn.to/3D9ZiIm -Brad nailer: amzn.to/3gsRkjH -Mini Compressor: amzn.to/3mvrmQr -Bladerunner: amzn.to/2Wl0TtJ -Jig Saw: amzn.to/3zetTBY -Scroll Saw: amzn.to/3gq9qDc -Multi-Tool: amzn.to/3muZuMi ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★ -Drill Bits: amzn.to/3B8Ckzh -Forstner Bits: amzn.to/3kk3wEI -Shop Vacuum: amzn.to/2Wkqnbl -Machine Setup Blocks: amzn.to/3gq7kDh -Counter-Sink Bit: amzn.to/37ZukUo -Featherboard: amzn.to/3DeqHsq -ISOtunes Hearing Protection (Save $10): bit.ly/3BHYdH7 (If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

Tip: wrap your rubber mallets/deadblows with a bit of masking tape so the rubber doesn't discolor whatever you're hitting. Even the bright orange ones I got from Harbor Freight seem to pick up some black nasty stuff over time that can leave a stain on wood and require sanding to remove. I also really like my urethane-wrapped round mallet for chisel work -- a has a nice slight taper to it, and a surface that won't split like the wood one you showed.

Same as the glue video. Leave it to James to take a topic that sound simple (and boring) on the surface, and deliver excellent, informative, and amazing content. Thank for another great video

This video really hit the nail on the head. Totally crushed it. Smashing success.

"not all pounding has to be gentle" nicely said my friend

Deadblows are a personal favorite. Useful in so many situations around the house.

You are one of my three go to woodworking channels. Straightforward and honest. And you quite rightly show the small differences in tools that make a big difference in outcomes. Thank you from the UK.

Ol Stumps really hit this one on the head. Yeah he nailed it.

I'm 67 and still using a lot of my old Dad's tools - many of which came to him from his Uncle Peter. They don't make 'em like they used to!

Taylor Tools is one of my favorite tool sources for quality and reasonable prices.

Excellent video. My dad was a joiner and for all the years I knew him he was with the CWS Shopfitting works in Salford GB. I served 4 of a 5 year apprenticeship there before changing to architecture. He had many different tools which are rarely seen but with regard to hammers/mallets he had one which I haven’t come across anywhere else. I think it may have been a panel beater's tool. It had a wood shaft and a barrel shaped, iron head which had a coil of very tightly wound, thick leather in one side and solid copper in the other. My mentor was a highly skilled craftsman, not very far from retirement. He was the only one given the task of making glass display cabinets where two of the corner joints were very intricate. These formed the top two front corners of the cabinet which had to be glazed - top, front and end. A 1/16” chisel was used in this. One bead dove-tailed into another then the third tenoned into them. Once glued it was a solid joint. We sometimes had to use extra small panel pins which couldn’t be held in the fingers. An adapted pair of tweezers was used which had a groove filed into the grip parts so that the pin was held firmly.

"Not all pounding has to be gentle though" quote of the year

I use a Thor 712R hammer from the Thor Hammer Company for most of my chisel work. It has 2 replaceable faces one soft and one hard, so it also gets used for lots of other jobs too. They have a massive range of hammers with all sorts of replaceable faces and weights. I got mine after a recommendation from Paul Sellers.

That's funny. I made a joiners mallet because I wasn't confident turning a mallet. Made it from some hard wood scrap & liked it so much I made a 2nd even fancier.

If i didn't know already you weren't a framer/rough in carpenter; your suggestions for a claw hammer definitely got the point across 😂🤣😂

You know, someone should write a song about the hammer. It could start out like, if I had a hammer...😁 Good stuff, always learn something new.

I bought the lump hammer on a whim, shocked at how much I love it

My former boss, Al Kovall is the best carpenter I've known in 40 years. He used to run base and case by hand, and THE way to do this was with a small gouge to curl up a sliver of trim and use the extinct 7 oz Stanley claw hammer and nail set in the groove, then glue it back died and usually tape it.

My 8oz and 16oz deadblows are my two favorite thwacking tools. The smaller one lives in my apron.

I have all but a couple of them. Gotta definitely get a "lump hammer". Always learn something in your post. There’s also the “framing hammer" that I like more than the traditional claw hammer.

I have cross pean hammer from my late uncle. It has his name carved in to the side of the head and “1959” written on the handle. I have a lot of expensive tools, but it’s the pride of my shop.

Bought a jarrah caulking hammer and the whole set of caulking irons in Australia for 25 dollars. The auction called them a wooden hammer and chisels. Not only are they worth about $2500, but being jarrah, an Australian hardwood it's very very rare. I have a lot of unique and rare tools which I know what they are for but most everybody else doesn't. Avoid letting people into my shed as they can't stop picking up tools and asking, "What's this thing."

Thank for the video! I do have them all and i have them in different sizes too! At least three of each! Until you dont have them you dont need them, but once you have them you cant live without them!

Ayyyy im from Warrington and a wood worker. Never thought I’d hear my town on your channel!

You really nailed it on this one James!

My grandfather gave me a 16 oz. finish hammer for my 12th birthday. I'm 65 now and still have it in my tool belt... that he also gave me.

Its so nice that you have taken the time to explain the purpose of these various hammers. I'm an older guy who had the fortune of having a Father who taught me the intricacies of many of these tools. Some people have not been so fortunate.

I made my first one piece carving mallet with a hatchet, a saw, a Shinto rasp, and a spoke shave. I'm glad I did it, but I really wish I had a lathe. XD

My Dad was a carpenter, granddad was a millwright. I was taught that ball peen was soft steel so it was safe to strike steel; claw hammer has a hardened face, it may spall if used on steel objects other than nails, which are soft steel.

I feel like a broken record sometimes when I comment on your videos as they are consistently so darned informative, complete and easy to watch. You are one of my favs when when I review newly released videos. Thanks again for all you do for our great community of woodworking!! Cheers Mate!!

Dude I've learned so much from you in a few short "lessons". I hope you monetize good, as I find this type and quality of content true value of youtube. All sorts of educators should look at your videos to see how to parse and condense information in an easy to understand and concise form.

I have lived in Warrington for 35yrs and had never heard of the Warrington hammer (always a joiner's hammer). Warrington was well-known for forging but more so for wire drawing, which is why the town's rugby team was named the Warrington Wire (nowadays called Warrington Wolves).

I had a decent collection of hammers (aka persuaders), but when I inherited my late grandads' those are now my go-to choice and the newer ones are neglected. Seems like they're not dissimilar to cast iron pans, the older they are the better.

You really hammered it home! I’ve got a few that are on your workbench, but I got a couple that you don’t, and use them frequently

I gotta say, I went to TAYLOR TOOLWORKS website, I didn't do an extensive search, but from what I saw their prices seem very reasonable and they have a great selection. I also like to deal with the smaller "mom and pop " type stores, so I will definitely be putting an order in with them.

No Eastwing ? I can’t believe you don’t own one :) Most of us in Europe know that Eastwing is the holy grail of hammers :)

Great lesson on different types of hammers.

I use a dead blow hammer in my kitchen. My son gave it to me after he saw me struggling to cut a winter squash. Having a plastic shell, it cleans like a breeze.

I have my father’s hammer encased in a shadow box to honor him every time I work in my shop. He used that hammer to build his first house in Winnipeg back in 1952. He and my grandfather and Uncle Hank built that house without power tools. I also have his complete brace and bit set. I will never sell them.

Love how simply and clearly you explain tools and their uses. I always learn something.

come on Stumpy...in this community, we are all pros when it comes to getting hammered... because as you know, we deserve it!

Very interesting! I always used Lump Hammers for knocking out old mortar and concrete with a bolster- didn't know they were useful for woodworking too!

My daily driver is a "Wood is Good" MA18 with a tweak. The MA14 looks the same, but MA18 is factory bored and has a metal weighted core that's plugged in with a top cap. I've blown these caps and weights out and they did replace it under warranty but here's a tip: I drill an off of center pilot through one side of urethane head and graze the side of the weight but not out the other side of urethane (maybe into it). Then tap a 1/4"×20 thread down the hole and run a long brass screw to bottom. I'll mark the screw and back it out a tad then hacksaw it to undermine it and then run it back in until it breaks of just below surface of mallet face.

Thanks for sharing with us James . Liked the information you gave about the different uses. Fred.

You are so right about modern mass manufactured hammers. I always thoroughly look over a hammer before I buy it, and 95% of modern hammers are complete junk. They have different size claws, varying in length, width, and thickness, the heads are all different shapes, the grinds are atrocious, etc. The other day I was in Home Depot and they had a Milwaukee smooth head framing hammer with a flatbar combo for $25. I thought it was a deal I couldn't pass up, but then I looked at each hammer closely. They had about 6 left, and every one had major flaws in the grinding. The main issue they all had was one claw was much wider than the other. One claw end was about an 1/2in, and the other 5/16-3/8. Every one I looked at had the same issue. I ended up not buying it even though it would still a good deal and I could have fixed it myself.

Great video stumpy, if I may just one small bit of advise from some who's been swinging hammers for over 60+ yrs always try to get or use hammers with wooded handles they transfer far less vibration to your arm and shoulder, steel handled hammers should be used in demo work only, when possible even the newer fiberglass are better than steel.

I also like using a framing hammer because the claws are less curved and work great for spreading material and pulling nails

Thanks for this. My shop hammer belonged to my gramps who was a trim carpenter in the 1920s through the 40s Its claws have sharper radius for better extraction and pull the tiniest of Brad's out. Plus it has the earliest ball bearings for holding nails (that I've seen anyway) for that long reach nailing. I kept it in a drawer for ages and then thought "I'm not a museum" so now use all my antique tools wherever I can. Appreciate your vids.

All but a couple of my hammers originally belonged to a Grandfather or Great Grandfather. Thanks for letting me know what my cross peen hammer is!

If you need a dead blow hammer in a pinch to assemble press fit stuff like wire grid shelves with plastic corners, take an old vitamin bottle and fill with water and any small metal objects you have around. washers or nuts may be ideal.

I asked for your opinion on if I should leave my high paying job for a small wood shop that would train me. Needless to say it was well worth it. I’ve learned more in 1 week then the past 3 months. The craft is beautiful and getting to see all the pieces come together in the end is super satisfying.

We used to have lead headed hammers at work. They will give the weight like a lump hammer with the soft head of a deadblow hammer. More for working on machinery. When they get flattened enough you just remelt and cast a new head. Easy to make in different sizes.

Excellent! Always a joy to watch…Thanks!

For a claw hammer my favorite is estwing, they are really nicely finished and last forever

The milled or waffle faced hammer is also very handy, especially when removing nails. When used properly you can 'put English' on the stroke to help guide the nail and keep it from bending. It takes practice and a fine touch, but when done properly it make removing nails much easier. (The smell of a good rubber mallet, reminds me of my grandfather's garage).

2-3 lbs dead blow is my go to ESPECIALLY for assembly

One hammer that was not mentioned is the antique tack hammer used in making furniture and doing upholstery.

My favorite tool is what's likely in that red cup.

Wonderful video on hammers , I have 30ish of all shapes and sizes, excellent advice and description

I've always found hammers a facinating topic. Thanks for this.

You nailed it with this video.

Great video. you give an excellent and clear rundown on hammers used in woodworking. and I love your shoutout supporting small business! There are several more options of shape and size "peen" hammers than even you have shown. Just like your cross peen with the flat running horizontal, there is a diagonal peen (self explanitory), and a straight peen with the flat running vertically. They were all primarily used and developed by blacksmiths and metal workers as a peen is away to make metal move in a controlled direction. The next level of control would be to use fullers and swages.

Thanks James for the nice review of common hammers. It makes me want to go out to my 20 degrees F shop and just pick up a few... At the risk of being pedantic, you hit a pet peeve of mine at 5:22: "... that dead blow delivers more power..." My father used to say that a dead blow hammer delivers more 'oompf. 'These are versions of a popular misconception, that you can have no dents, better control, and more (something) with a dead blow hammer; if that were true we wouldn't need some of the other kinds of hammers. We know it delivers less force because it is less likely to dent the surface. It does this by increasing the time span of the blow, as the lead/steel balls do not all hit the front at once. We know It does less work on the surface, since it delivers a smaller force over a smaller (dentless) distance. Since it delivers less work (energy) over a longer time, it delivers less power, not more. What a dead blow hammer really does is allow you to deliver less force (fewer/smaller dents) while using the same swing with the same weight as your 'regular' hammer.

Video really hits home

Good video on a often overlooked subject. I really appreciate learning about the use of some less than common tools.

Japanese chisel hammer, very useful for a lot of light work. A variety of automotive body hammers, an old roofing hammer for shake or composition roofing w/built in spacing guide, haven't found much alternative use for them yet. The most useful hammer I use is a Japanese finish hammer with claw. Once you use one, I think you'll stay with it.

An excellent overview of the different types of hammers & mallets, it is good to learn something new every day. Narex by the way is owned by Tool Technique Systems in Germany and they also own Festool, Sawstop and Shaper Origin. All quality products.

I think older is better for the claw hammers. I got almost ten, different claw angles and weights help. Its also nice when you do a project with a tool you used as a kid working with your grandfather or father.

You should market your own "Stumpy Numbs Lump Hammer." Tagline: "It has a nice ring to it." I used a lump hammer yesterday, but didn't know the name of it. Thanks Mr. H. !

I have a drawer of knockometers I inherited from my grandfather. Thanks to your tutorial I will be going through them to see what's what.

Great discussion James. Thanks.

And brass hammers for spark-sensitive use.

I splurged on that lump hammer from Crucible, and kind of cringed at the price tag, but every time I pick it up, I don't regret a penny of what I spent. It's such a great-feeling tool!

Thanks James.

As always James, another fact based, informative video. I believe I own (and use) eleven of the "hammers" you featured in the video. After 50 plus years of woodworking, I added another hammer about a year or so ago. It is an 8 ounce stubby claw hammer, from Harbor Freight. I find it to be extremely useful in the day to day work in my shop. With it's short length it fits nicely in my canvas apron, so it is always at my fingertips when needed! Bump a fence over, start a nail to center a jig, (and then pull it out) or striking awls, chisels etc. it's always on the job. Thank you again for your insightful content.

Great video - you really.....NAILED IT.

Make sure to get one of those waffle-faced framing hammers for finish work on your fine furniture pieces. It'll help you get much better at sanding.

Fascinating stuff. In addition to your usual short, yet highly informative format, I really appreciate your use of the English language. For example, you've used persuade and choke in two quite interesting, yet appropriate contexts. It's good to see. Thank you.

Lump hammers and claw hammers can also be useful in dismantling pallets (but we won't mention that here!)

Roy Underhill had a show on making a joiners mallet from ash. Easy to make design, even i could (and did) make one.

I've been surprisingly happy with Estwing "double faced soft hammer". Plastic on one side, rubber on the other, nice shorter handle. Ideal for putting paint can lids back on, & generally very handy in the shop. One of those 'why didn't I have this years ago?' things. Definitely Japanese chisel hammers, but Japanese carpenter hammers not so much (skinny handles, un-useful claw).

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

I like having a straight-claw hammer in addition to the a curved claw hammer.

Hope I can dig up an old hammer to use. Some tools have advanced a lot since the start of the industrial revolution but I guess hammers can really stand the test of time.

Use a smaller hammer to form things and a large hammer to move things. Good video, I have a gob of hammers but now I want a couple more! I made a big lead hammer out of old wheel weights melted down, about 5 pounds, to move stuff and it is a pleasure to use . I believe I’ll make a dead blow next, I’ll try cut up wheel weights on one and lead shot on another to see what the difference might be. A dead blow doesn’t bounce, making it ideal when setting fixtures.Thanks

Warrington pattern cross pein hammer was (and still is) very useful for adjusting wooden plane irons. The cross pein is also great for removing the wedge from a moulding plane…the wedges are shaped with that function in mind.

I used almost all those hammers. A funny story. I done machinist work for over 40 years. Our shop floor had dead blows and rubber hammers that looked identical. I needed a dead blow. Grabbed the rubber hammer. I was using a 4 lb. I gave it a blow expecting the dead blow effects. Instead I got a bounce back of the rubberized hammer. My nose stopped it. Prescription safety glasses didn't fare to well either. Bloody nose and a lesson learned. Now I use the orange color dead blow and the black rubber. Refuse to even have a black dead blow.

One type of hammer to add is a slide hammer with a dented face to hold the nail.

Nailed it Nubby🎯

I hope to inherit most of my father's tools. When I needed a set of files for bone work he gave me a couple of new files, and better yet, some off his older, beautifully balanced, and well used files.

Lexie dead blow hammers are great because you can get different hardness hammer faces for them.

Hammertime! I always wondered why the joiner's hammer was tapered like that. I knew there was a good reason.

Thank you for another informative video.

I'm glad you covered these, but kind of glad you aren't doing body hammers for auto, I have 18 different ones and don't have all the types available, lol One thing a Jack of all trades is always having, lots of hammers.

Thank you stubby

Great video! I have one of each in my shop. For some reason, at 3:45, my wife started laughing hysterically. Not sure why. When I asked her she just mumbled, "That's what she said" as she wondered off, still laughing. Yep, she is a weird one!

Thanks for the great info. Always worth the time to watch your videos. I will be adding versatility to my shop.

This is a cool video, I really learned something and that can't be a bad thing. I have a vintage claw hammer that I really cherish. I found it in the mud when I was a kid a long time ago. It was all rusted and the handle was weathered. Against all odds I decided to take it home and restore it. It is still in good shape now I love how I got to own it.

Two that didn't mention are the framing hammer and rigger's axe. They're both great for general home repairs, so they're nice to have in the DIYer's toolbox, and they're often found at yard sales. I've been thinking of upgrading to a framer's hammer with a magnetic nail holder.

Not to be picky, but the hammer you are holding and describing is actually a machinists hammer, I made one in grand nine machining class. The second picture you showed is the actual Warrington hammer. Your description of its use is correct. Learn a lot from your videos and sometimes the jog my memory of projects from my past. My first hammer was the old leather handled 16 oz. Estwing curved claw hammer. I still have it along with a few older curved claw hammers I've found in various places. The Estwing could use a new handle, but I'm mote into the straight clawed hammer these days. I also have the leather handled Estwing hatchet.