The ball peen hammer is a kind of peening hammer that has 2 ends. 1 end is shaped like an ordinary hammerhead while the other is ball shaped. It has a handle that is like that of a regular hammer and the material can vary, which includes wood, metal or fiberglass. This kind of hammer is also called a machinist’s or engineer’s hammer. There are also different ball peen hammer weights and these range from 2-ounces (56.7 grams) to 48-ounces (1.3608 kilogram). The head of the ball peen hammer is usually harder than that of a claw hammer so it is highly unlikely that it will break or chip on contact.
Use of the Ball Peen Hammer
The ball peen hammer was made for use in striking and shaping metal materials. It is the tool that is utilized to form the general shape of the material in metal fabrication. It is also used for hitting chisels and punches. In the past the peening hammer was used for the manufacture of swords and knife blades. After the metal has been formed in a cast into the desired sword or knife shape, it is filed roughly and then molded into its proper shape by means of a ball peen hammer.
More Conventional Uses of the Ball Peen Hammer
The original function of the ball peen hammer in conventional usage was to peen metals that are welded or riveted to each other so that the joints will become as flexible as the surrounding metal. However, more people are now using this kind of hammer for shaping and expanding the free end of light rivets, copper roves and set rivets. It has also become common for the ball peen hammer to be used for shaping, flattening or removing dents in various metals, because of the additional hardness and heft that you can find in the tool.