OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

42292 <eugene@n...> 1998‑04‑29 If I Had a Hammer
Well, I do.  It's old.  It was my grandfather's.  
I don't know what it's intended for.  It's 2 lb., with a head that 
looks rectangular from the side, about 1 1/2" by 5".
from the top it looks more like a wedge.  One end is pointed, but not 
sharp, the other is somewhat rounded.

My best ever ASCII art :        '
  (for those of you who's inferior  mail readers don't have zoom capability, 
that's an apostrophie)

The catch is, the hole for the handle is an oval, only about 3/4 x 
1/2.  With such a small handle what's it for?  I have done some 
bashing with it, as if it's a sledge hammer, but that handle isn't 
likely to take much of that.  Or is it a wedge with a handle?

Knowing my  grandfather's interests is no help.  He was interested in 
everything.

TIA for any ideas.

Gene

David Sexton


42347 <eugene@n...> 1998‑04‑29 Re: If I Had a Hammer
Thankyou to those who had suggestions today.  It gave me a starting 
place to look for illustrations, etc.

Cross-peen it's not, according to Webster's 1910 edition.  Webster 
says the peen of one of those runs crosswise to the handle.  This one 
is parallel with the axis of the handle.

Esther's blacksmithing lead might be close.  The 1902 Sears reprint 
shows a horseshoer's turning hammer of the same weight and relatively 
light handle - but again, it's 90 degrees off.

The fact that this one shows no sign of ever bashing into iron doesn't 
mean much.  We don't know if the man ever used it for it's intended 
purpose.  ( And my auto body tools aren't bashed up either.)

Probably more interesting - Webster's 1910 includes cross-peen.  
American Heritage Dictionary of 1992 comes no closer than 
"cross-dress".

Such is our American heritage.

Gene

David Sexton


42316 Billy Patton <bpatton@a...> 1998‑04‑29 RE: If I Had a Hammer
The spiking moll's I have had in my hand , I have friend
who own a track build/repair business, come in a variety
of shapes.  But the most common trait, the long head
and rather delicate shaft, as compared to a regular sledge.
Some have something that will have a spike on one side and
the hammer head on the other side.  I this is referred to
as a one man moll.  It allows the user to start the hole for
the spike.  None , I think , are used to pull spikes.
The handle is small because of the fact that it is will hit 
only the spike, rail or the tie.  Not much abuse from
another direction.
But if memory , HA I have kids!, serves me there are
several different shapes and sizes.

-----Original Message-----
From:	James Foster [SMTP:jaf@M...]
Sent:	Wednesday, April 29, 1998 1:01 PM
To:	bpatton@a...
Cc:	'eugene@n...'; oldtools@l...
Subject:	Re: If I Had a Hammer

I bought a three tools at auction that were from
a railroad (a shovel, pick, and hammer, all stamped
with railroad IDs). I had 
assumed that the hammer was a spike hammer. It 
looked like a mid weight sledge with relatively
small faces, though they're longer (from eye to
face) than other sledge hammers I have. Both
faces are the same. I _think_ they were octagonal
but don't really remember. 

So is what I have a spike hammer, or just a general
purpose tool? 

As to the original question, could this be a 
blacksmiths hammer of some sort? 

Billy Patton wrote:
> 
> Could it be a spiking moll, ala railroad?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   eugene@n... [SMTP:eugene@n...]
> Sent:   Tuesday, April 28, 1998 11:30 PM
> To:     oldtools@l...
> Subject:        If I Had a Hammer
> 
> Well, I do.  It's old.  It was my grandfather's.
> I don't know what it's intended for.  It's 2 lb., with a head that
> looks rectangular from the side, about 1 1/2" by 5".
> from the top it looks more like a wedge.  One end is pointed, but not
> sharp, the other is somewhat rounded.
>


42350 scott grandstaff <scottg@s...> 1998‑04‑29 Re: If I Had a Hammer

eugene@n... wrote:
> 
> Thankyou to those who had suggestions today.  It gave me a starting
> place to look for illustrations, etc.

 Well, I'm voting for cross peen if it's a hammer. With a skinny handle
though, and since it's not sharp, it just might be a fuller. You know,
the smith swings the glowing work over to the anvil and positions the
tool (punch, chisel, swage, fuller). These are handled chisels of
various shapes. At a nod or word the striker (apprentice) swings the
sledge.
 Check out my really all time favorite Galoot maximus book. Colonial
Craftsmen by Edwin Tunis. Change your life it will.
   Scott
>-- 
*  *  *  *  *     *  *  *  *  *     *  *  *  *  *
Scott Grandstaff, Box 409, 63742 Applegate Dr., Happy Camp, CA 96039 *
scottg@s...
PageWorks: http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/


42348 James Foster <jaf@M...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
eugene@n... wrote:
> 
> Thankyou to those who had suggestions today. It gave me a starting
> place to look for illustrations, etc.
> 
> Cross-peen it's not, according to Webster's 1910 edition. Webster
> says the peen of one of those runs crosswise to the handle. This one
> is parallel with the axis of the handle.
> 
> Esther's blacksmithing lead might be close. The 1902 Sears reprint
> shows a horseshoer's turning hammer of the same weight and relatively
> light handle - but again, it's 90 degrees off.
> 

I didn't quite get the original description. From what you're
saying here it sound like a straight peen.


42394 Eric Breitenberger <eric@g...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
Alan wrote:
>How about a piton hammer?
>
>For those of you not crazy enough to climb up sheer rock faces, this
>is a galootish tool used for driving pitons (essentially big iron,
>steel, or rarely aluminum nails of various shapes) into cracks in a
>rock wall, as protection from falls while rock climbing.
>
>If there's a maker's mark with a C in a diamond, then I'm sure you've
>got a piton hammer.  Otherwise, heck, it was worth a try.

I don't think it's a piton hammer, for two reasons. A piton hammer
usually doesn't have a skinny shaft - if anything they're on the fat 
side. Most climbing hammers I've seen also have metal tangs reinforcing
the shaft/head assembly. Also, a piton hammer usually has a stubby 
spike on the back, rather than the wedge Eugene described. 

The spike is used for pounding on pins (pitons) in confined locations
where the head is too large. It's also handy for "gardening" (cleaning 
dirt out of cracks), and is also great for putting through the eye of 
pins and levering them out when they're already loose.

Piton hammers are great galootish tools. That's why I've got three of 'em
(not counting any of my ice hammers). My first one was an old Stubai, which
I subsequently replaced with a Chouinard around 1980 (that's the diamond C
mark - Yvon Chouinard is the climber who founded Patagonia clothing). This
is truly one of my most cherished tools, both for its quality and for the
memories I associate with it.

My last piton hammer I acquired in a strange way just last summer. I was
well up the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range and came across a bunch of
junk melting out of the ice. It was apparently the garbage dump for a 
Japanese expedition from the late '70s. Amongst the dead batteries and socks
we found a cool little ladle, a tea kettle, a snow shovel, and a strange
little piton hammer. 

-Eric (just say, there's more than one way to acquire old tools, etc.) 


42389 Jimlemon <Jimlemon@a...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
Isn't there something called a Warrington or Worthington pattern hammer, or
something like that? Seems to ring a bell, and description sounds similar.
Jim


42374 alan ferrency <alan@l...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
Here's an interesting thought I came up with this morning.
Unfortunately I didn't pay attention when you mentioned any maker's
marks on the hammer, they'd have easily proven or disproven this wild
theory.

How about a piton hammer?

For those of you not crazy enough to climb up sheer rock faces, this
is a galootish tool used for driving pitons (essentially big iron,
steel, or rarely aluminum nails of various shapes) into cracks in a
rock wall, as protection from falls while rock climbing.  The practice
of using pitons has fallen into disfavor except under certain
circumstances in certain locations.  It did a real good job of
destroying the rock.

If there's a maker's mark with a C in a diamond, then I'm sure you've
got a piton hammer.  Otherwise, heck, it was worth a try.

Alan


42435 <eugene@n...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
Eric B wrote:
> Alan wrote:
> >How about a piton hammer?

> I don't think it's a piton hammer, for two reasons. A piton hammer

SWMBO agrees.  Says she's been there, done that and its not a piton.

> My last piton hammer I acquired in a strange way just last summer. I
> was well up the Canwell Glacier in the Alaska Range
...
> -Eric (just say, there's more than one way to acquire old tools,

I'll just stick to the local garage sales, thanks anyway.
Geez, who would have thought that question would enlighten me about 
the Patagonia shirts my niece keeps sending my way.

Gene


42401 NLutz10449 <NLutz10449@a...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
In a message dated 98-04-30 13:19:41 EDT, Jimlemon@a... writes:

> 
> Isn't there something called a Warrington or Worthington pattern hammer, or
> something like that? Seems to ring a bell, and description sounds similar.
> Jim

A hammer that rings a bell is called a clapper.
Erik von Sneidern


42438 <eugene@n...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
GG's
I'm going for the blacksmithing tool myself.  Especially something 
you would strike with another hammer.  This one doesn't show signs of 
that, but maybe it was used by my grandfather for something else.  
Kinda like some of the flea market iron I drag home and use for 
whatever I need at the moment.

My own guess is Esther was right (again)

Gene  (going to dream tonight about tools falling out of the melting 
edge of a glacier)


42440 <eugene@n...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
> GG's
> I'm going for the blacksmithing tool myself.  Especially something
> you would strike with another hammer.  This one doesn't show signs
> of that, but maybe it was used by my grandfather for something else.
>  Kinda like some of the flea market iron I drag home and use for
> whatever I need at the moment.
> 
> My own guess is Esther was right (again)
> 
> Gene  (going to dream tonight about tools falling out of the melting
> edge of a glacier)


42404 NLutz10449 <NLutz10449@a...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer

> 
> Thankyou to those who had suggestions today. It gave me a starting 
> place to look for illustrations, etc.
> 
> Cross-peen it's not, according to Webster's 1910 edition. Webster 
> says the peen of one of those runs crosswise to the handle. This one 
> is parallel with the axis of the handle.
> 
> Esther's blacksmithing lead might be close. The 1902 Sears reprint 
> shows a horseshoer's turning hammer of the same weight and relatively 
> light handle - but again, it's 90 degrees off.
> > Gene
> 
snip--

(message sent to Gene on Wed.)
My vote is for the blacksmith's hammer. I have a distinct image in my mind of
the exact hammer you describe. My father owns a set of 19th century
blacksmithing tools, and the hammer is there. It was used to cut iron by
striking it with the wedged end.

Erik von Sneidern


42403 Chris Dunn <a065117@U...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
NLutz10449 wrote: 
  In a message dated 98-04-30 13:19:41 EDT, Jimlemon@a... writes: 

  Isn't there something called a Warrington or Worthington pattern hammer, or so
mething like that? Seems to ring a bell, and description sounds similar. Jim  A 
hammer that rings a bell is called a clapper. Erik von Sneidern 

I thought a clapper was the gizmo that allows old folks to turn off   their ligh
ts w/o getting up ......

Chris 8^)


42408 Daniel Indrigo <daniel.indrigo@C...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer


 My vote is for the blacksmith's hammer.   I have a distinct image in my mind of
 the exact hammer you describe.   My father owns a set of 19th century blacksmit
hing tools, and the hammer is there.   It was used to cut iron by striking it wi
th the wedged end. 

Are you sure you strike the iron with the wedged end? I have this vague recollec
tion of watching someone use such a device but the wedge is placed against the i
ron and the other end is struck with another hammer. that would explain why the 
handle isn't very substantial, it wouldn't need to be if it were used in this wa
y.

Dan


42447 NLutz10449 <NLutz10449@a...> 1998‑04‑30 Re: If I Had a Hammer
>Are you sure you strike the iron with the wedged end? I have this vague
>recollection of watching someone use such a device but the wedge is placed
against
>the iron and the other end is struck with another hammer. that would explain
why
>the handle isn't very substantial, it wouldn't need to be if it were used in
this
>way.

Absolutely.  What you say is correct.  I didn't word it right in my posting.
The wedge-shaped hammer is stationary and struck with a slightly bigger hammer
that looks more like a sledge.  You wouldn't have much accuracy if you swung
the wedge.  Unforturnately I don't know the names of the different hammers.
The tools were always in the cellar or garage when I was a kid.  I've seen
blacksmithing, but I've never done it myself.

Erik von Sneidern


42466 Gary Roberts <groberts@s...> 1998‑05‑01 Re: If I Had a Hammer
At 8:44 PM -0500 4/30/98, NLutz10449 wrote:
>>Are you sure you strike the iron with the wedged end? I have this vague
>>recollection of watching someone use such a device but the wedge is placed
>against
>>the iron and the other end is struck with another hammer. that would explain
>why
>>the handle isn't very substantial, it wouldn't need to be if it were used in
>this
>>way.
>
>Absolutely.  What you say is correct.  I didn't word it right in my posting.
>The wedge-shaped hammer is stationary and struck with a slightly bigger hammer
>that looks more like a sledge.  You wouldn't have much accuracy if you swung
>the wedge.  Unforturnately I don't know the names of the different hammers.
>The tools were always in the cellar or garage when I was a kid.  I've seen
>blacksmithing, but I've never done it myself.
>
>Erik von Sneidern
>

You know, this is really a very UPSETTING thread.

Gary Roberts groberts@s...
Boston, MA...Antique tools, Art Pottery, Hong Kong cinema, what else is there?


42494 Louis Michaud <louis_michaud@U...> 1998‑05‑01 Re: If I Had a Hammer
At 21:44 30/04/98 EDT, you wrote:

>the wedge.  Unforturnately I don't know the names of the different hammers.

If the tapered end is sharp, beveled, it could be a "set"
used to cut metal. A hot set for cutting hot metal has
a sharper angle. The cold set is blunter. If the edge is
rounded, has a radius, then it could be a "fuller" used 
for "drawing out" hot metal (to thin, spread, or taper it).
Its a "top fuller" if used with a "bottom fuller" (same radiused
edge) set in a hole (hardie) in the anvil. Both set and fuller
have handles in the same axis as the edge.

Boatbuilding is dangerous: it leads to handtools, furniture
making, metal working, and smithing. Now I have to take up
sewing to make sails, and I don't have any excuses since I was 
given a sewing machine. Beginner in everything, accomplished
in none of the above! What's next, pottery to make my own
seagoing toilet !!???

Louis



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