Three hammers. From top: light sledge hammer, unknown hammer (possibly a veneer hammer), claw hammer. Josiah Carberry Collection.
A hammer is a striking tool. Hammers may be used directly, as when striking a nail, shaping metal, or knocking beams apart during demolition, or they may drive another tools, such as chisels or wedges.
Powered hammers also exist, as do electric and pneumatic nail guns.
The face of a hammer head is often specially treated to make it a better striking tool. This may include special hardening or surface treatment to reduce slipping when the hammer strikes. The side of the hammer head, known as the cheek, is not treated in the same way and may break if used as a striking surface.
When driving nails, a nail set may be used between the hammer and nail to prevent the hammer from striking and damaging the work piece.
Types[]
Manual[]
| Name | Related | Notes | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claw hammer | Roofing hammer, Framing hammer | 
| |
| Roofing hammer | Claw Hammer, Framing Hammer | ||
| Framing hammer | Claw hammer, Rooking hammer | ||
| Engineer's hammer | Larger version known as Sledge hammer | ||
| Sledge hammer | Smaller version known as Engineer's hammer | ||
| Mallet | Dead-blow hammer is a subtype | ||
| Dead-blow hammer | Subtype of Mallet | ||
| Ball-pein hammer (also -peen) | |||
| Forming hammer (also cross-pein or cross-peen) | |||
| Raising hammer | |||
| Plannishing hammer |
Powered[]
| Name | Related | Notes | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack hammer |