Hammer shaft help

[Jonty]

I’m after some help/advice please.  I’ve been given a couple of old hammer heads that I’m cleaning up with a view to re-using.  They’re approx 1.5lb and 2lb.  I want to use them for metalworking so intend to be giving them some decent swings.  I was hoping the PW collective could help me out with what length of shaft would best suit these weights and intended use.  I don’t really have any knowledge or experience myself.

thanks in advance

 

[JohnfromUK]

As an example, here are two; the larger is a 3/4 lb engineers ball pein and the smaller 4 oz (I think). Both are "engineers"  (ball pein).  Both have 13" handles (hickory).

Common sizes seem to be 13" and 15".  Some listed here https://www.lsengineers.co.uk/wooden-hammer-shafts-wedges.html

My guess would be for 13" for the weight's you have based on this listing; https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Hammer-Wooden-Replacement/dp/B09PD2R7PM/ref=sr_1_9?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZERFaY88nCjPGtylZYp8nweUxpezBku4K5udPnjKMsTlPOx5iaj6O8eFr6WvSZ6ojx4DkAXREZQAainjcke1gPgAi0gPkxXbJZpeK1c99rCd5NY7kp0RqHAYsOQOmaXAGvIqTsVM_9HSmtowOd1GTfiCWmEq4HQt5ZEj4xgvnC9wRR-ewN16DyQiVkrZKke3670EnyZlOetFhpfGG0l5tMJa0hDxfoPNO2x0xb77KDpVRU6yuhBgFrpysM-cLZ59I71vg93YH9z3FHo87DL3ayJbo90OohkfXMaZ1iilanc.GasN239zVLAlGltKvfgg7lJ_9xSNYIS2h8MpDOKjPpM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Hammer+Handles&qid=1724601182&s=diy&sr=1-9&ts_id=1938904031

which recommends 13" for 2 to 4 lbs.

 

[jeffgg]

By the looks of the pitting on the ball and if it is the same on the face there is a possibilitv that the hardend face will chip off when in use so check first and if in doubt scrap them. Not worth loosing an eye 

[enfieldspares]

10 minutes ago, jeffgg said:

By the looks of the pitting on the ball and if it is the same on the face there is a possibilitv that the hardend face will chip off when in use so check first and if in doubt scrap them. Not worth loosing an eye 

This. They are or were scrapped for a reason perhaps. 

[wymberley]

We weren't allowed our own tools so they were drawn from stores. To see if its balance suited, you spun a hammer around your index figure. If you could keep it going all was well. If it flew across the hangar, you swapped it for another one.

Hickory or straight gained English Ash.

Edited August 25, 2024 by wymberley

[Jonty]

On 25/08/2024 at 16:56, JohnfromUK said:

As an example, here are two; the larger is a 3/4 lb engineers ball pein and the smaller 4 oz (I think). Both are "engineers"  (ball pein).  Both have 13" handles (hickory).

Common sizes seem to be 13" and 15".  Some listed here https://www.lsengineers.co.uk/wooden-hammer-shafts-wedges.html

My guess would be for 13" for the weight's you have based on this listing; https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Hammer-Wooden-Replacement/dp/B09PD2R7PM/ref=sr_1_9?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZERFaY88nCjPGtylZYp8nweUxpezBku4K5udPnjKMsTlPOx5iaj6O8eFr6WvSZ6ojx4DkAXREZQAainjcke1gPgAi0gPkxXbJZpeK1c99rCd5NY7kp0RqHAYsOQOmaXAGvIqTsVM_9HSmtowOd1GTfiCWmEq4HQt5ZEj4xgvnC9wRR-ewN16DyQiVkrZKke3670EnyZlOetFhpfGG0l5tMJa0hDxfoPNO2x0xb77KDpVRU6yuhBgFrpysM-cLZ59I71vg93YH9z3FHo87DL3ayJbo90OohkfXMaZ1iilanc.GasN239zVLAlGltKvfgg7lJ_9xSNYIS2h8MpDOKjPpM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Hammer+Handles&qid=1724601182&s=diy&sr=1-9&ts_id=1938904031

which recommends 13" for 2 to 4 lbs.

 

Thank you for this - that’s a great help

On 25/08/2024 at 17:20, jeffgg said:

By the looks of the pitting on the ball and if it is the same on the face there is a possibilitv that the hardend face will chip off when in use so check first and if in doubt scrap them. Not worth loosing an eye 

Thanks, I hadn’t thought of that, I’ll take a good look at them.  They weren’t scrapped, just gathering dust in a neighbours garage.  I know what you mean about the eye thing, I’ve found that since turning 50 and realising I’m no longer invulnerable- no jobs get done without (bifocal) safety glasses and gloves etc.