Any carpenters here?

98700

98700

Wishing for snow!
Joined
Dec 2, 2006
Messages
1,132
Location
Hamilton, Ont
Well guys,

I applied for a co-op/OYAP (Ontario Young Aprenticeship Program) program to build houses in the city. This is my last year of school, and I started this program with quite a bit of knowledge and experience. I have learned lots so far, But I Just got signed for an aprenticeship at the Local 18 Carpenters union In Hamilton, Ontario. But My real question here is what hammer(s) do you carpenters use?

I started out with a 22oz steel Estwing (have had this thing since I was 13), and from there I went to a Vaughan 16oz TiTech Titanium, then to a stanley 24oz. In between those I thought I would try the lower end models. So I went out and bought 3 different Steel hammer under 40 dollars CAD. All of which where replicas of the higher end hammers. But I havent found the right hammer yet. And I have been through 6 hammers in the last couple years.

For the past two days, my crew member Joe Has been ill. So i had asked him to use his stiletto Mini TiBone 14oz with a Curved Handle. He replied yes I can use it, as he knows I have been searching for the right hammer for me. This hammer is a 14oz solid titanium hammer. It hits, and has the same force as my steel 22oz does. I was amazed with it, and the heads are replaceable.

I think this might be the hammer for me. I will try and use if for another week, if he isn't feeling to well. But if it continues to amaze me like it did in the first two days, I will be spending 300$ on this hammer.

So what do you guys use???


Also here is a link to the TiBones: http://www3.telus.net/public/t9373615/stiletto1.htm
 
Vaughn Ti -Tech 16 oz w/ replacable head. Runs about 100 in the US, and still lets me use the side face in tight areas which the Stilleto does not.
 
What ever happened to the hatchet blade 32 oz Vaughn hammers that we used to frame with? (or finish with when things didn't fit) This was of course before the nail gun era? The first couple weeks your forearms killed you until you learned how to "let the hammer do the work". Sounds like these new titanium hammers are a huge improvement. I have yet to try one.

I haven't framed on a steady basis for over 20 years now, but when I do need to drive nails the current generation Paslode Impulse guns are hard to beat. Just take good care of them, and they will take care of you. Doesn't your crew use nail guns?
 
^ lol. i find them to be to cheap and unballanced. But DING yes we use nail guns, this is the 21'st century, lol. But you know there are time where you have to use a hammer.
 
I don't do much carpentry(not my field), the one o got was from my daughter for X-mis, so i use it always, it's just a cheapy but works. :)
 
^ yes, but that would take DECADES to finish a house, lol. I preffer screws for little stuff.
 
personally I hope that Ontario does not have the same housing problems as here in the mid west. I may be out of a job soon, but my tools are not for sale.
 
Its that bad out there ehh. I will be working for industrial stuff, throught the carpenters union. So i hope nothing happens, i need work :)
 
daman.no wander your bathroom isn't finished yet.You are using the wrong brand again.Is that hammer made by BRP.LOL
Again you have choices.You picked Yamaha over Doo's so why a hammer from a clearance house.Chinamart..you got to be kidding...LMAO
 
I have a 3.5" framer nail gun which I would use a lot for the big jobs.The hammer I have must be 22oz plus but can't find the markings on the hammer and it is Anti-vibe also.I also use the Paslode finish nailer 18 gauge for finishing work.Couldn't live without the Paslode.
 
daman come on now..you have been working in that bathroom for nearly a year already.Now the painting will take you another year because sledding season is coming soon...LOL....I should of come down there last winter and done it for you,would of been done in a week.Stop wrenching of your sleds and finish that damn bathroom. Any plumbing leaks so far.......
 
I have been a carpenter for 8 years now.....I don't think that I could bring my self to spend $300 on a hammer. For that price I would buy a pasload off of amazon on sale and buy a stanley fat max framing hammer for $22. Although I have never used $300 hammer. Just my $.02!!!!!!!!
 
bluemonster1 said:
daman come on now..you have been working in that bathroom for nearly a year already.Now the painting will take you another year because sledding season is coming soon...LOL....I should of come down there last winter and done it for you,would of been done in a week.Stop wrenching of your sleds and finish that damn bathroom. Any plumbing leaks so far.......
Click to expand...
LOL...yea winters coming so that craps on hold now.

i told ya to load up and come down i'd put ya to work for a few weeks. :mrgreen:
 
98700 welcome to the brotherhood! proffesionally trained apprentices are what we need to help keep our union strong and inspired! i also am a proud union member of local #174 joliet,illinois.
as far as hammers go it all depends on what you are going to be doing! i notice you mentioned industrial work. does that mean concrete? if you are doing concrete you will need a good sturdy, pretty good sized hammer. i started with an estwing 22 oz. and after about 7 years it started taking a toll on my elbows. i switched to a 24 oz. wooden handle craftman and was able to get about 8-12 months out og that hammer, still use them to this day but when i am not needing something that size i do have a 14 oz. stilletto, i used that last yuear when we were decking bridges on the I-355 extension project. i have used and tried several hammers but have found that the estwing, craftsman and stilleto are the best for concrete applications.
the stilleto is also good for interior framing situations!
i have been in this trade for 20 years now, started after 1 yaer of college and decided school wasn't for me. welcome to our union! listen to your brothers, learn as much as you can and you will have a great life!
 
also, befor eyou go spend $300 on that hammer let me get a price for you! i currently use the wood handle but thier handles are junk and need to be replaced about every 2 months or so but let me see what i can doo for you, i have a few stores i can get like a 20% discount from and that price sounds awefully high.
 
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