Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Hand Tools >> Ball Peen Hammer

Ball Peen Hammer

A mechanic's style hammer with a rounded peen

More of a mechanic's and blacksmith's tool but now and again they found use in other trades. The peen is the part behind the hammer head and is used for riveting and curving metal.

• If you take a flat piece of metal and strike it with a ball peen then a small dimple will appear on the surface.
• The surface at that point has slightly expanded.
• Using the curved section of an anvil and repeatedly striking the flat metal plate it is possible to curve it.
• For example a large circular saw blade that has a buckle in it caused by overheating can be straightened by using a ball peen.

Like all hammers they come in different weights. This one is a two pounder.

This particular hammer has had quite a lot of service driving in 3" nails fixing a 2" hardwood warehouse floor and also heavy hardwood timber framing work. This was before pneumatic nail guns appeared on the scene. The good balance, long shaft and heavier weight made it a better choice for hard framing work.

Given the same work again without the use of a nail gun, an American framing hammer would be my choice, but they were not available in Australia in the time I am referring to.

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