Tack Hammers

[Windows]

I haven’t used it very much yet, but I treated myself to a tack hammer. This one from Draper:

Draper Expert Magnetic Tack Hammer, 190g/7oz

View our Draper Expert Magnetic Tack Hammer, 190g/7oz, with polished solid forged head from fine grain high carbon steel correctly hardened and tempered.

www.drapertools.com

I got it because of the feature where the hammer holds the tack or pin so you can get started without hitting your fingers, but it also has another feature that I was unaware of: when the end of the shaft is close to the surface you’re nailing into, the face of the hammer is parallel to the surface (or vice versa). This makes it pretty easy to ensure that the hammer hits the tack at 90°. I haven’t read anything about tack hammers except the sales page and they don’t seem to mention this. Is it just common knowledge? Maybe commonly taught on upholstery courses and no one except those people would buy a tack hammer?

 

[Lons]

I have the same one but didn't know about the 90deg feature even though I've had it probably 35 - 40 years. It rarely sees the light of day tbh.

My father in law did a short upholstery evening course and decided I should have one as well as his so it was a gift, cost him only 2 or 3 quid if I remember. he was a fiercely proud Scot and wouldn't pay more than a fiver for anything.

 

[Windows]

I got this because my wife wanted to reupholster a chair (which looks great now) but also because I was curious whether it would help with attaching glazing beads. Haven’t tried it for that purpose yet - coming later this summer. Hope it’ll get some use.

Probably most people just naturally adjust their use of the hammer until it works good, but if you’re used to hammers where the face is more or less parallel to the shaft of the hammer, this style feels pretty odd until you adjust.

You can do the short rotation about the base of the handle with the tack hammer because the pins are so small so you don’t need much power. With a framing hammer, everything needs more oomph so I guess the angles are set for a more distant pivot like your shoulder.

 

[Woodbloke]

I need to get a very small hammer like this for nailing veneer pins which I use on the glazing bars of cabinets. Even the smallest hammer I've currently got in the 'shop is way too clunky - Rob

 

[toolsntat]

I need to get a very small hammer like this for nailing veneer pins which I use on the glazing bars of cabinets. Even the smallest hammer I've currently got in the 'shop is way too clunky - Rob

Have you ever used a "RAMPIN" or "PINPUSH" Rob, no hammers needed and will often countersink the head for you?
Cheers. Andy
EDIT you mention veneer pins so may be a bit heavy for the countersinking part...

 

[AndyT]

I've just been and looked again at my similar old tack hammer (also rarely used) and you're dead right about the handle length matching the angle. That's something I'd never noticed, so thanks for pointing it out.
Maybe I should try to remagnetise the head.