Quick Tip: Ball-Peen Hammers

Ball-peen hammers have a wide variety of uses beyond metalworking, the specific application for which they were designed.

By Bob Vila | Updated Feb 7, 2018 11:48 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

 

For jobs that require a hammer with a little more heft than a claw hammer, try a ball-peen hammer, sometimes called an engineer’s hammer or a machinist’s hammer. It’s the best hammer to use for metal. Use it to drive cold chisels, setting rivets, and shaping metal. The steel head of a ball-peen hammer is harder than the head of a claw hammer, so it’s less likely to chip on contact.

For more on tools, consider:

Types of Hammers
The Essential Toolbox
How To: Use a Hammer