01. Claw Hammer

• Common Use: Driving and removing nails in wood
• Description: The go-to hammer for general DIY. It features a flat face for striking and a curved claw for pulling out nails.
• Ideal For: Hanging shelves, fitting skirting boards, and home repairs
• Extra Tip: Choose between a curved claw (better leverage) or straight claw (for prying and demolition).

02. Ball Peen Hammer

• Common Use: Shaping and hardening metal
• Description: A machinist’s hammer with a flat striking face and a rounded “peen” for forming metal edges.
• Ideal For: Metal fabrication, rivet work, automotive tasks
• Extra Tip: The peen is used to “peen” (work-harden) metal or create rounded shapes without distortion.

03. Club Hammer (Lump Hammer)

• Common Use: Light demolition and chisel driving
• Description: A short-handled, heavy hammer with twin striking faces. Offers controlled force in tight spaces.
• Ideal For: Breaking blocks, striking masonry chisels, removing render
• Extra Tip: A great alternative to a sledgehammer for smaller, more precise demolition jobs.

04. Sledgehammer

• Common Use: Heavy-duty demolition
• Description: A long-handled hammer built for full-force blows. Typically used two-handed.
• Ideal For: Breaking concrete, landscaping, structural demolition
• Extra Tip: Available in a range of weights (6–14 lbs). Choose based on job size and user strength.

05. Brick Hammer

• Common Use: Cutting and shaping bricks
• Description: Combines a flat face with a chisel blade for scoring and splitting bricks cleanly.
• Ideal For: Bricklaying, patio installations, masonry repair
• Extra Tip: Score the brick with the blade side, then strike to split—it reduces waste and improves accuracy.

06. Cross Peen Hammer

• Common Use: Starting nails in tight spots
• Description: Features a narrow peen across the handle, useful for precision nailing and metalwork.
• Ideal For: Joinery, crafting, soft metal shaping
• Extra Tip: Perfect for working in corners where a standard hammer can't reach.

07. Dead Blow Hammer

• Common Use: Low-rebound striking
• Description: Filled with sand or shot to absorb impact and prevent bounce. Reduces risk of surface damage.
• Ideal For: Aligning parts, mechanical assembly, furniture joints
• Extra Tip: Prevents damage when force is needed but precision matters—great for woodworking and car repairs.

08. Rubber Mallet

• Common Use: Non-marking strikes
• Description: A soft rubber head delivers force without damaging the surface underneath.
• Ideal For: Flooring, tent peg driving, assembling flat-pack furniture
• Extra Tip: White rubber mallets are less likely to leave scuff marks than black ones.

09. Soft-Faced Hammer

• Common Use: Gentle but firm assembly
• Description: Has replaceable faces (rubber, nylon, copper) to suit the material you’re working with.
• Ideal For: Metalwork, joinery, engineered assemblies
• Extra Tip: Swap heads based on the job—use softer faces for painted or polished surfaces.

10. Upholstery Hammer (Tack Hammer)

• Common Use: Driving small tacks
• Description: Lightweight and often magnetised to hold tiny fasteners before striking.
• Ideal For: Reupholstering furniture, decorative tacking
• Extra Tip: Place the tack with the magnetised face, then flip and drive it home for better accuracy.

11. Framing Hammer

• Common Use: Large-scale timber construction
• Description: A heavy-duty claw hammer with a straight claw and milled face for improved nail grip.
• Ideal For: Deck building, timber framing, roof construction
• Extra Tip: Its extra weight and milled face let you drive large nails quickly and efficiently—great for outdoor builds.

How to Choose the Right Hammer

If you're building your toolkit or upgrading old tools, consider the following when choosing the right hammer:

1. Purpose

Ask yourself: What will I use it for most often?

• General home repairs? Go with a claw hammer.
• Working with metal? Opt for a ball peen or cross peen.
• Laying decking? A framing hammer can be ideal.
• Assembly or flooring? Use a rubber mallet.

2. Weight

Heavier hammers generate more force but can be tiring to use over time. For example:

• 8–16 oz – Good for light DIY and indoor use
• 16–20 oz – Balanced for general carpentry
• 3+ lbs – Best for demolition or masonry

3. Handle Material

• Wood: Classic feel but absorbs moisture
• Fibreglass: Strong, shock-absorbing, weather-resistant
• Steel: Durable but can transfer more vibration

4. Grip and Comfort

Look for a rubberised or anti-slip grip. If you'll be using it a lot, ergonomic handles make a difference.

Do You Need More Than One Hammer?

Absolutely—if you do a variety of DIY jobs. Here’s a simple starter setup for home use:

Task	Recommended Hammer
Hanging pictures, fixing shelves	Claw Hammer
Flat-pack furniture, tent pegs	Rubber Mallet
Small chiselling or blockwork	Club Hammer
Outdoor timber framing	Framing Hammer
Metal tasks or DIY auto work	Ball Peen or Dead Blow Hammer

Hammer Comparison Table

Hammer Type	Best Use	Suitable For	Avoid Using On
Claw Hammer	Driving & removing nails	General carpentry, DIY tasks	Brick, stone, metal shaping
Ball Peen Hammer	Shaping & peening metal	Metalwork, mechanics	Woodwork, pulling nails
Club Hammer	Breaking & chiselling masonry	Blockwork, demolition	Fine woodworking
Sledgehammer	Heavy-duty demolition	Concrete, landscaping	Indoor DIY, precision tasks
Brick Hammer	Scoring & breaking bricks	Bricklaying, stonework	Metal or timber framing
Cross Peen Hammer	Driving nails into tight spaces	Joinery, metalwork	Masonry, demolition
Dead Blow Hammer	Precision without rebound	Automotive, engineering	Heavy striking tasks
Rubber Mallet	Non-damaging taps	Flat-pack furniture, flooring	Driving nails or chisels
Soft-Faced Hammer	Protecting surfaces	Assembly, fine metalwork	Rough demolition tasks
Upholstery Hammer	Placing tacks & small nails	Furniture, fabric work	Structural wood or masonry
Framing Hammer	Heavy-duty carpentry	Timber framing, decking	Fine or delicate tasks

Hammer Safety Tips

• Always wear safety glasses when hammering
• Use the correct hammer for the job to avoid accidents
• Keep your hands clear of the striking zone
• Replace hammers with cracked handles or chipped heads

Final Thoughts: The Right Hammer Makes Every Job Easier

Now that you know the different types of hammer and their uses, you can shop smarter and work safer. Whether you're hammering nails, tapping joints together, or knocking down a brick wall, there's a tool designed to make your job easier.

Looking to build your toolkit? Check out our range of hammers, fixings, and building supplies at DIY Refurb – quality tools for every job, at budget-friendly prices.