Why do people use planishing hammers for general work? (1 Viewer)

Wild Brambles

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I'm a great one for using the correct tool for a job wherever possible. I've been watching a lot of vehicle restoration project videos recently, and several of the restorers use decent planishing hammers for general hammering. It distresses me a bit, as a pin hammer or a ball pein would probably be better for the job. Using a planishing hammer messes up the surface, and makes it useless for metal forming.
 

Silver-Fox

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I often wonder why some trades use a form work hammer when a normal length one is more than sufficient.

I wonder if they are lacking in the trousers department ?
 
Feb 21, 2016
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I’m so glad that this subject has been raised as it’s been concerning me for some time. I’ve not questioned it in the past,for fear of causing undue worry and distress among the hammering classes,so thank you.
 

Nanniemate

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Still dropping clangers and making it up as I go along
Having worked in transport for a number of years 'hit it with a hammer' was often the remedy used to get the thing going. Never asked what type it was always the biggest you lay your hands on

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Aug 18, 2017
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I started off as a panelbeater back in 1968. I still had several of my original planishing hammers right up until 3 years ago when some lowlife nicked my toolbox.
Once I caught my late wife using one of them to hammer a nail in the fence. That nearly ended our marriage :winky:
 

pappajohn

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I've just use three hammers to remove a knackered bearing from an electric motor shaft.
1st...small claw hammer (might as well shout at it)
2nd... larger ball pein hammer (moving but slowly)
3rd....4lb lump hammer (success)

So just goes to show, if at first you don't succeed..... Use a bloody big hammer.
 
Mar 23, 2018
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The conversation goes something like this:

"You got it steady?"
"Yea"
"Right, you nod yer head and I'll hit it"
 

SuperMike

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11yrs, but many years a tugger.
I've just use three hammers to remove a knackered bearing from an electric motor shaft.
1st...small claw hammer (might as well shout at it)
2nd... larger ball pein hammer (moving but slowly)
3rd....4lb lump hammer (success)

So just goes to show, if at first you don't succeed..... Use a bloody big hammer.

Ahhhhh, Uncle PPJ, a man after my daddy’s heart. See signature, if you have not already have. :clap2:

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MANGOFORTH

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If what your hitting is softer than the face of the hammer it doesn't make any difference.

I've never damaged one of my hammers, and I've given them hell.
 

pappajohn

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If what your hitting is softer than the face of the hammer it doesn't make any difference.

I've never damaged one of my hammers, and I've given them hell.
I used a cold chisel backwards to drift that bloody motor bearing off.... Even the cold chisel didn't harm the hammer heads.
Just got to grind an edge back on the chisel now.
 
Dec 16, 2017
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Can you tell me, the difference between a claw hammer and a ball hammer?
I have never hammered a lump ?
A claw typically is used for pulling out nail. A ball pein hammer can be used over a leather sandbag to stretch metal to make, for instance, a rounded shap, or for riveting. There's also cross peins, diagonal peins etc.
 
Dec 10, 2013
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