Just got a couple new FatMax hammers...

[brecklundin]

I am rebuilding my deck and had been unable to find my framing hammers. I've been getting by with my household 16oz hammers and swearing at every nail. I had a 24oz and a 28oz checker faced. They were a couple decades old but worked great far as I was concerned. But there are nowhere to be found...

I thought maybe it's a good thing because I have RA which especially affects my hands. So I decided to replace lost pair with a pair of 22oz hammers. I found the FatMax hammers from Stanley. I compared them to hammers costing 2x-3x as much at HD. I have to say these are the best hammers I ever used.

So now I have a FatMax (51-947) Anti-Vibration 22oz checker face with a nice rubber grip (w/o nail set) and a 22oz FatMax (51-408) hickory handle w/magnetic nail set.

I had expected the hammer with the curved rubber grip would have been my fav...nope...I LOVE the straighter hickory handle more and it's more by far. It is super easy on my hands and nor near as tiring to use. Plus the thicker hickory handle has LESS vibration, to my feel, than the steel & rubber "anti-vibration" version.

I bought the steel version at HP for about $30 w/tax. I found the hickory version for about $19 with shipping on eBay. I was working on the deck today when UPS showed up with the hammer. The driver got a laugh when I joked about waiting on him all do so I could drive a nail (I was just starting one as he drove up...) so it was perfect timing.

I also had zero prob driving 3-1/2" 16d nails straight and true every time The steel version gave me fits and made me wonder if I could still even drive a nail straight. The magnetic nail set is great too...never had one before and wonder how I ever got by w/o one...used to laugh at those who used them years ago, now I know why they only smiled. D'oh!!

I should add that because of my hands I am typically limited to 2-3hrs/day MAX working on the deck, or anything else. And often must take 1-3 days between work sessions because of the way my hands react to using them as if I still should be... But the past two days these hammers BOTH have made a huge difference in the amount of inflammation after working with them for FOUR hours this afternoon.

Just thought I would pass along the feedback on how simply getting a newer better balanced and fitting hammer can much a big difference. I seriously had no clue it would matter this much. Kinda makes me excited to head out tomorrow to get the railing going.

Of course my doc's might not like the idea of me doing this, but, hey...where is the fun in behaving!!

[Stytooner]

Thanks for the review. I have looked at those hammers before and thought they looked like a good ergo design. I wished that they would have had them when I was into construction every day. I normally used a Plumb or an Estwing. I can tell you that those would get very tiring. Even their new ones look better designed.
With nail guns and better designed hammers nowadays, is it still really work anymore?
Good luck with the rest of your deck.

[Stormbringer]

Nice review. Thanks.

I'm in the market for a hammer and your timing is perfect. I will definitely check these out first.

[crokett]

Mine is a Stanley 22oz but it is steel/fibreglass handle with the anti-vibe. Bought it after I broke 2 wood-handled hammers in 2 months. Now I prefer it over my dad's wood handled one. I think the balance puts more of the mass in the head of the hammer where it should be.

[siliconbauhaus]

I have the estwing forward biased one. I like it a lot but given the choice of nilas or screws I reach for the driver.

[lcm1947]

Nice review and timing as I too have been thinking about replacing my 25 plus hammer. I'll have to take a look at both these now due to your what sounds like complete satisfaction.

[gsmittle]

I have an old Stanley rip hammer (I forget the weight) with a wood handle. Man, I love that thing! I find the steel/rubber hammers chew up my hands, even on a 16oz hammer. Never cared much for fiberglass, either.

Just something about the feel of a wood handle......

My favorite hammer is an old (older than me) curved-claw 12 oz. with a hickory handle that fits my hands perfectly. I also have a little 6 oz. that my wife calls my "toy hammer."

I do have to admit that nowadays if I have more than 2 or 3 nails to drive, I reach for the gun...

g.

[brecklundin]

....I also have a little 6 oz. that my wife calls my "toy hammer."

hehehehe... 'nuff said...

BTW, I think you are right about the feel of the wood handle. I just really do like this particular handle. Something I did not notice at first is how the hammer "sings" to me when driving a nail...it is a nice sound because the pitch seems to corespond to how squarely I struck the nail head.

I even drove the 8" x 3/8" lag screws through a 4x4 with the wood handled model. I could nit find my leetle 3# mini-sledge but the new hammers worked just fine though it was a lot more work...

lcm:

Yeah, I have to say I am really pleased with both of them but even more so with the hickory handled model. It just fits my hand better for whatever reason. I also really like the way the face grabs the nail head...not a hint of slip.

[BrazosJake]

What's this? You're rebuilding a deck and did not seize the opportunity to purchase a 30-gal compressor and framing nailer? Blasphemy!

Just kidding, nice review. I framed houses back in the day and there is immense gratification in driving a #10 nail with one or two licks.