aaron_gonzalez•11d agoProlific Poster

Is a standard claw hammer actually better than a framing hammer for home stuff? I'm leaning yes after last weekend

Honestly, I've been using a 22 oz framing hammer for years for everything around the house. But last weekend I had to hang some cabinets and build a small shelf, and I grabbed my dad's old 16 oz claw hammer instead. Ngl, the lighter hammer was way easier on my wrist for finishing nails and the curved claw pulled out a couple bent nails way cleaner than my straight claw ever does. The framing hammer felt like overkill for the small jobs. What do you all use for general home projects? Anyone else made the switch back to a lighter hammer?

2 comments

2 Comments

sanchez.mary10d ago

I read somewhere that pro framers actually keep multiple hammers in their truck for different jobs. The lighter claw hammers have that curved claw which is way better for pulling nails without wrecking the wood. Last time I tried pulling a finish nail with my framing hammer, it gouged out a chunk of the trim. The balance on the lighter hammer is different too. That 16 oz is probably the sweet spot for what most of us actually do around the house.

gavin8010d ago

Wait, you actually use the claw of a hammer for pulling finish nails? I always just use a pry bar for that stuff, way less chance of messing up the wood. @sanchez.mary is right about the balance though, a 16 oz hammer feels totally different than a 28 oz framing hammer. The lighter weight lets you control the swing better for smaller stuff, and the curved claw does help a bit with grip on the nail head. But honestly, I still say a good trim puller or cat's paw is the real trick for not gouging trim.