Swapped out my old claw hammer for a framing hammer last month

I used to drive nails with a 16oz curved claw and my wrist would ache after framing one wall. Picked up a 22oz straight claw at a garage sale for $5 and now I get them in three swings flat - anyone else find a heavier tool fixed their technique?

2 comments

2 Comments

tessa_rivera1mo ago

Man, I totally used to be a light hammer guy. I thought anything over 16oz was just going to wear me out faster, you know? But then I borrowed a buddy's 22oz for a fence repair and I felt the weight just do the work for me. It's funny how a little extra heft actually saves your arm because you don't have to muscle every swing. Changed my whole thinking on framing jobs.

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baker.simon1mo ago

Dude YES! Same thing happened to me last year. I was all about that 16oz Estwing forever, thought anything heavier was just showing off. Then I had to demo a old deck and grabbed a 24oz from a friend and man, the nail driving was just effortless. It felt like the hammer was doing all the work and my arm was just along for the ride. Now I keep a 22oz on my belt for framing and it's way better. Never going back to the light stuff.