How to Use a Hammer Safely
Don't damage the workpiece - or yourself - when using a hammer. Play it safe and follow these simple instructions.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Ball-peen Hammers
- Curved Claw Hammers
- Drywall Hammers
- Straight Claw Hammers
- Tack Hammers
-
-
1
Use the right hammer for the job.
-
2
Grip the hammer by the handle firmly.
-
3
Keep your wrist straight and use your whole forearm to lift and drop the tool.
-
4
Let the hammer do most of the work, using its weight to drive the nail, rather than pounding on it with your full force.
-
5
Angle nails against the grain for better holding power and stagger them to avoid splitting the wood.
-
6
Protect finished wood surfaces by placing a piece of pegboard over the nail before hammering. Then use a nail set to drive the nail even with the work surface.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When nailing hardwoods, lubricate a nail with beeswax for easier driving. To avoid splitting, use a finishing nail in a drill to form a pilot hole.
Get better leverage and protect the wood when pulling nails with a claw by placing a scrap block of wood under the claw.
Always wear eye protection when using a hammer. Consider earplugs, as well, if you are doing a lot of hammering.
Related Searches
Comments
-
Nov 22, 2005
Coating nails with beeswax is not such a good idea if you are using cement-coated nails. If you aren't using cement-coated nails for most jobs, you should be. Cement-coated nails are thinner than regular nails, preventing wood splits. It's ingenious! The heat from the friction of driving the nail in melts the cement, and then it re-hardens as it cools!
