quality or highgrade hammers have hickory handles and are made from
wellseasoned, straightgrained stock. Other hammers of good quality
have steel handles with shockabsorbing rubber grips.
Figure 2-31.
Claw hammers
(2) Mallets. Mallets are, in reality, wooden hammers.
Although not considered a driving tool, they are used the same way as
hammers. You will use mallets primarily for driving chisels and
wedges. Depending on their use, mallets can vary in size from a few
ounces to a few pounds. Many woodworkers make their own mallets to
suit their personal touch. Figure 232 shows three types of mallets.
Figure 2-32.
Mallets
b. Care and Use of Driving Tools.
(1) Driving Nails. When you use driving nails with a claw
hammer, guide the nail with one hand and grasp the hammer with the
other down near the end of the handle. Avoid holding the hammer near
the neck. Use a wrist motion, tapping the nail lightly to start it,
then use a few sharp blows to finish driving the nail. After the
nail has been driven, it can be set below the surface with a nail
set. This prevents hammer marks or cat paws from marring the surface
of the wood. Nail sets are made in several sizes. Figure 233 shows
one type of nail set.
EN5155
2-16
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