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DIYers ca n’t get much of anything done without a well hammer . In fact , they might need several hammer , all of which could serve different purposes . They hang pictures , secure moldings , remove nail , and much more . But is it really necessary to have five or 10 different types of hammer in a do - it - yourselfer ’s tool outfit ?
Yes , probably .
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Just about every tradesperson uses a outstanding tool of some sorting . These tools might look and execute differently , but each case of hammer has a job to do . This guide will highlight the common types of hammers , what they can do , and who uses them .
Parts of a Hammer
While the striking aerofoil is arguably the most important part of a hammering , there are other component part you should also know about . Some of these parts have uses that can make rest home betterment projects and tasks around the house wanton .
Common Types of Hammers
There are many different types of hammer . The following are the hammer that craftspeople and homeowners might ask or use .
1. Claw Hammer
This is the variety of hammer most of us reach for when we need a hammer . The claw hammer ’s steel head is dual - function : The face drive nails and the two - tined clawpulls nailsout of wood . The handgrip is made of fibreglass , wood ( normally a tough , springy hickory wood ) , or steel . pick out a fibreglass or sword option , and it will also have golosh , plastic , or vinyl handle for comfort and shock absorption .
Claw hammer can be purchase in many sizing , and the exact cast of the claw varies from one hammer to another .
Best For : woodwork work , ecumenical purpose projectsOur Recommendation : Estwing 16 oz . Rip Claw Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 24.88The Estwing Rip Claw Hammer features a one - composition , form design and a rip hook for destruction or tearing fastened circuit card aside .
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2. Ball Peen Hammer
Sometimes called an engine driver ’s hammer , theball peen hammeris used for many metalwork labor . Rather than accept a nipper , the ball peen hammer has a flat dramatic surface on one face and a rounded one on the other . The steel ball peen oral sex is hardened and is less probable than a claw hammer ’s to chip , making it well suited to drive puncher and inhuman chisel , specify rivets , and human body metal . Handles are unremarkably made of hickory .
Common head weights for bollock peen hammers are 4 , 8 , 12 , and up to 32 troy ounce . for drive a cold chisel or punch , the ball peen hammer needs to have enough weight . However , a hammer that is too large can scar or falsify the stuff ( especially boldness ) , while a modest one will incline to shape it more expeditiously . The ballock peen can also be used for motor heavy nail and other chore where its weight and harshness is an asset .
Best For : automobile oeuvre , setting stud , and metallic element workOur Recommendation : Estwing Ball Peen Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 29.98Estwing ’s Ball Peen Hammer features a do - it - all weight at 16 apothecaries' ounce , and its forged one - piece design is durable enough for old age of employment .
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3. Club Hammer
Most society hammers have two identical faces and a short handle ( typically 10 inch long ) . Both faces can be used , though the primary reason for the second typeface is that the hammer would be awkward to use if the head were not equally balanced . Wooden grip are typically made of hickory , though fiberglass - palm club hammer are useable .
The guild cock is promiscuous enough that it can be managed well with one manus . A club mallet with a 2½-pound head is a useful size , though 3- and 5 - pound models are also common .
Like its bigger brethren , the sledgehammers , the club power hammer is used to drive stakes or insensate chisels and to demolish masonry . They are sometimes shout out bridge player - drilling cock because they are often used to ride masonry drills .
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well For : Demolition , chiselingOur Recommendation : Stanley AntiVibe Club Hammer at Amazon for $ 38.45The Stanley AntiVibe Hammer has patented AntiVibe technology to shrink oscillation as well as supply a easy grip .
4. Dead Blow Hammer
Dead blow hammer are big , heavy tools meant for locomote or adjusting an item without damage it , such as a piece of machinery , a vehicle frame member , or any other stubborn point . They ’re unremarkably made from a polyurethane shell with loose steel shot or sand indoors .
These hammers check the military force used to mint the item to keep denting and wo n’t bounce backward as pronto . Once the smasher put down on the item , the hammer ’s energy Chicago , stimulate it easier to master than a sledge hammer or even a ball peen pound . They ’re unremarkably used in maintenance and machinery lotion . They get in a variety of size , and phratry who work in these industriousness ordinarily have a few option to choose from , depending on the situation .
intimately For : Maintenance and machinery settingsOur Recommendation : Titan 4 - pound Dead Blow Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 20.99The Titan 4 - pound bushed gust hammering features a nonslip diamond grip and 4 pounds of loose sword shoot for pile of inertia without bounce - back or impairment .
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5. Electrician’s Hammer
An lineman ’s malleus does n’t look a whole peck different than a standard hook hammer , but there are some important distinction . For one , most electrician ’s hammer boast fiberglass grip . This is because fiberglass is non - conductive and should the electrician unintentionally have-to doe with a springy circuit , they wo n’t take in a dangerous electrical shock .
The other difference is that most electrician ’s hammer have longer neck . This allow them to hold a tricky staple in lieu with one manus and strike it with the other . They can also progress to into electrical boxes or stud bays to fasten box seat . They can have slue or straight hook ; electricians who choose curved hook do so because they conform to in stud bays better , while those who choose consecutive claws like their power to separate electrical loge fastener and other items from stud bays .
well For : Electrical workplace , stapling wires , and setting boxesOur Recommendation : Klein Tools Electrician ’s Straight Claw Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 40.99The Klein Tools electrician ’s hammer features a non - conductive fibreglass handle and an redundant - foresighted neck for nailing into outlet box .
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6. Framing Hammer
redact hammersare long , heavy woodworking hammer designed specifically for driving framing nail into frame in lumber . They in the main count between 20 and 24 ounces ( 22 ounces is most vulgar ) , though some atomic number 22 models are lighter but put up similar impact force . These malleus also solely have uncoiled claw so they can wrecking bar framing members apart or labor into a board when nibble them up . Many have handle that are more than 18 inches long , some of which are arch like axe handles ( these are fuck as “ California Framers ” ) .
Framing hammers have declamatory faces and unretentive neck , allowing a carpenter to swing them hard without conscientious truth . Some have mill typeface that bite onto the school principal of the nail , preventing it from slipping off , causing hurt , or bending nail .
Best For : FramingOur Recommendation : Stiletto Framing Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 90The Stiletto Framing Hammer features a titanium oral sex and waffled face for labour labored - duty framing nails .
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7. Ripping Hammer
A ripping hammer is really any malleus that has a lot of true claws on the back . These straight claws are screw as rippers , or rip claws , and they ’re used to separate boards during destruction or framing projects . They can also lift heavy items off the floor .
draw of cock have ripping claws . They can be cosmopolitan design hammers , those meant for precise trimwork , large frame hammers , and more . They ’re ready to hand for a wide range of projects , but they do take up more outer space than a arc nipper hammer , so they can be a minute clumsy in squiffy spaces .
It ’s worth noting that some folks consider large demolition hammer to be ripping hammers . These malleus do have rend chela , but they also have other features built in to quickly demolish surface and structures .
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better For : General purpose oeuvre , demolitionOur Recommendation : Vaughan & Bushnell 16 oz . Rip Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 33.50The Vaughan & Bushnell 16 - oz. Rip Hammer features a straight grain hickory handle for intensity level and cushion concentration and a utile unbowed - hook design .
8. Rubber Mallet
Arubber malletis the right peter for strike item that involve to be take but ca n’t withstand scathe . They ’re typically big , rounded chunks of gum elastic on the end of a wooden hold , with two wide faces . They do n’t have claw and they ’re usually symmetrical . They can drive tent stake , ten-strike chisels , or even strike shock nailers , if needed . They can also be handy for localize stepping Isidor Feinstein Stone and other landscape gardening items .
Rubber beetle do n’t last forever , though . The rubber wry rot and deteriorates over time . But they ’re usually inexpensive and readily uncommitted , so replacing them is seldom an issue .
Best For : Landscaping , collapsible shelter stakes , chiselingOur Recommendation : Stanley Rubber Mallet — Get it at Amazon for $ 13.12Stanley ’s arctic mallet is affordable and features a knotty gumshoe psyche mold to a wooden handle for durability .
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9. Sledge Hammer
A sledge malleus is the openhanded , heavy cousin of the club hammer . These hammers have vast , heavy head teacher that can break rugged cloth like stone and concrete . DIYers can also use them for pink down drywall and the stud behind it , as well as for dissever Grant Wood with a wedge or many other purposes .
In oecumenical , sledge hammerheads press at least 6 pounds , and their handles are usually 36 column inch long . This make a lot of force out when swung at an object , tolerate the drug user to demolish dense object and withdraw them in smaller bit . They can even move stud wall into property on a framing project , if needed .
well For : wipeout , splitting wood , framing projectsOur Recommendation : Husky 10 - pound Sledge Hammer — Get it at The Home Depot for $ 39.98Husky ’s 10 - pound sledge pounding features a 36 - in long hickory plow to create mass of force for wipeout .
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10. Tack Hammer
weather sheet hammer are used in some rather recess projects , such as upholstery or shoe mend . They ’re lightweight hammer with prospicient , pointy heads that grant the exploiter to drive a sheet with peg - point truth . They usually feature wooden hold , and the face opposite of the strike surface is pincer shaped to dispatch tacks . Some model have magnetic capitulum that allow the user to start the tack with one hand .
These hammer are meant specifically for tacks , not nails . They can immobilise framework in place , or drive small skid tacks without bending them . DIYers can use them to reupholster chairs and other furniture item .
Best For : Upholstery projects and shoe repairsOur Recommendation : Estwing trusted Strike Tack Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 19.86Estwing ’s Sure Strike Tack Hammer have a bad read/write head , a hickory handle , and a built - in magnetic weather sheet starter motor .
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Specialty Hammers
While the above hammers are oecumenical role , the following are some of the more specific , specialty - case hammer that folks in certain trade often use . Many are used to drive special hardware or even work with specific materials .
11. Brick or Scutch Hammer
Brick or scutch hammer are used only during masonry task to modify bricks and city block . They come in individual scutch or double scutch versions . exclusive scutch hammers have a prominent surface on one ending and then a long , pointy neck with a slot in the ending on the other . A scutch coxcomb correspond inside this time slot , and it ’s used to cut and shape brick . dual scutch versions forego the striking surface and or else sport two scutch slot .
To use these hammers , the mason or landscaper will fall upon the surface with the scutch comb to snap away stuff . They can do this to cut down or shorten blocks , or simply to demolish Harlan F. Stone or concrete where they need to run electrical lines or pipes .
Best For : Masonry projectsOur Recommendation : Draper Brick Scutch Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 36.90The Draper Scutch hammer features a individual - sided scutch design opposite a flat hammering face .
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12. Bush or Axe Hammer
When concrete surfaces are too smooth , a mason or DIYer will give them a fleck of grain with a Vannevar Bush hammer . These hammers have serrated teeth that bite down into the concrete surface , creating a act of nonslip texture and grittiness to keep slips .
Bush hammers are alloy blocks on the end of a wooden handgrip . As mentioned , the face of these hammers have serrated tooth that play as chisels to chip away small bits of concrete . The inure sword used for bush hammer heads does make them jolly expensive , however , and most modern masons use power tools to texture concrete today .
substantially For : Texturing concreteOur Recommendation : Bon Bush Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 140.74The pro - grade Bon Bush Hammer have 25 meticulously milled teeth and a 16 - in wooden handle for shock preoccupancy .
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13. Cross Peen Hammer
track peen pound are metalworking and forging peter . They ’re large and heavy , and resemble club hammers , however one side of the hammer has a narrowing point that runs perpendicular to the grip . They broadly have metal heads with wooden handles and weigh around 2 to 3 pound .
These hammers are used to draw metal out , or make it larger and spread it once ignite . They can even be used to make out heated up metal , but not with much accuracy . They ’re the most commonly used hammer types for blacksmithing for these reason , and many DIYers may recognize them from these options .
Best For : Metalworking and forgingOur Recommendation : Titan Cross Peen Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 25.36This hybridization peen hammer from Titan feature a heating plant - treated head for strength as well as a fiberglass handle to prevent tiredness and shock transmission .
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14. Drywall Hammer
Drywall hammers are design specifically for hanging drywall with nails . These hammers have big , rotund faces with cross - hatched traffic pattern , and they create a perfect dimple in the dry wall to make fill them with spackle sluttish . They also feature a hatchet side , as these tools were originally used by drywall installers to score sheets of dry wall to size and cut out trap for outlets and other penetrations .
Drywall pound are generally inexpensive because they do n’t see a lot of force . The nail aim easily and dry wall is not a hard material to cut . Their heads are unremarkably metallic , but they often feature wooden grip to keep them lightweight and leisurely to carry .
Best For : Hanging drywallOur Recommendation : Vaughan & Bushnell Drywall Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 44.92Vaughan & Bushnell ’s Drywall Hammer is lightweight enough for all - day drywalling projects , and the waffle - face is contrive to catch a dry wall nail nicely .
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15. Brass Hammer
While brass mallet come in a broad reach of sizes or styles , it ’s less about what they seem like and more about what they can do safely . The key feature is that brass does n’t spark when it remove another metal object .
In condition where explosive vapors or gun could be present , these hammer are one of very few solvent . For example , most mechanism will use a brass hammer to tap the retaining ring off a fuel tank to remove the fuel pump .
These malleus can discover a slug without make a spark . But , it ’s also deserving noting that to really be secure , the clout should be brass as well .
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Best For : Working around explosive gas or vaporsOur Recommendation : Real Steel Solid Brass Non - Sparking Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 20.80Real Steel ’s strong Brass Hammer is an idealistic do - all weighting and the brass section headspring wo n’t cause dangerous spark .
16. Hatchet Hammer
A tomahawk hammer , also known as a rigger ’s hatchet or rigster ’s hatchet , is a big , heavy - tariff hammer designed to drive framing nail . Typically , tomahawk hammers have long handles like redact hammers , and similarly - shaped face . However , opposite of the striking face is a large , thick , heavy - duty tomahawk . These hammers can weigh 28 to 36 ounces , as well .
Originally , they were used to assemble scaffold and rigging around large projects , and they could well drive heavy - tariff nails but also trim rope , lift aim , and do much more . Today , they ’re much less usually seen due to their heft and conception , but they can be quite ready to hand on a framing project .
Best For : Framing projectsOur Recommendation : Vaughan RB Rigster ’s Hatchet — Get it at Amazon for $ 45.76The Vaughan RB Rigster ’s Hatchet features a built - in nail dragger , a forged head , and a long , durable hickory handle .
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17. Joiner’s Mallet
Joiner ’s mallets might seem old school at first , but they ’re very much a part of modern woodworking . These hammers are broadly speaking made from all Grant Wood ( hardwood specie like maple and ash tree , specifically ) , with a hold mated to the brain through an eye , with many of these model using interesting pegs or cabinetmaking techniques to join the two . Occasionally , they may lie in of a cylindrical man-made material , but they ’re a little less traditional .
Joiner ’s mallets are typically used in woodworking projects when the substance abuser want to strike high - conclusion chisels . They furnish a turn of shock absorption , minimize racket , and keep the chisel in good precondition .
Best For : Joinery , woodworking , craftingOur Recommendation : Bora Wooden Mallet — Get it at Amazon for $ 39.81The Bora Wooden Mallet features a balanced excogitation with a tapered 9 - inch beechwood handgrip .
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18. Linesman’s Hammer
lineman apparently have a difficult job . They solve in all stipulation and they ’re oftentimes high overhead working with very eminent voltage . They have to be tough , and so do their hammers . Linesman hammers are mostly big clump of steel on the end of non - conductive fiberglass grip . They typically matter more than 30 ounces and have 15- or 16 - in handles .
These hammer ’ heads have serrate faces for driving enceinte - duty Lugh and hook into force rod . Some have two faces , while others may have short , tough claw for dispatch staple and fasteners . These hammers often have eyelets in the handles for leash , preventing the linesman from knock off them while working .
Best For : gruelling - duty electrical workOur good word : Klein Tools Lineman ’s Straight Claw Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 66.29The Klein Tools Lineman ’s hammer has a heavy - responsibility figure and a hickory grip to keep weight low without compromise strength .
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19. Shingle or Roofing Hammer
shake or roofing hammers or tomahawk are designed for instal strips ( or individual ) shake , whether they be asphalt or woodwind . They ’re heavy , librate at least 20 ounces , and mostly have square , serrated faces on one side and a curving tomahawk face on the other . Attached to the face is usually a v - notched razor sword that the drug user can pull out or slide aside , as well as a gauge used to adjust the peak of the next class of zoster .
Most roofers these days use nail guns , so shake hammers are n’t as popular as they used to be . And , the razor on the boundary of the hatchet does take some getting used to . However , when it come to wood shingles , these hatchets are still popular with installers as they can quickly separate a shake to width .
Best For : Installing asphalt or wooden shingles
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Our passport : Get the Estwing Shingler ’s Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 32.97Estwing ’s Shingler ’s Hammer sport a progress - in blade for cut herpes zoster , a space gauge , and a waffle font for bobby pin on the nail .
20. Soft Face Hammer
Not everything that needs to be struck with a hammer is durable enough for metallic element . In cases where a cock could dent , break , or mar a airfoil , a voiced - faced hammer is a better choice . These manakin typically have metal heads attach to the end of a wooden or fiberglass handle , and they have replaceable pad on either side of the head . The drug user can hit the detail with these launch area and care less about damaging it .
Soft faced pound are democratic in automotive situations , where grease monkey should n’t remove charge plate snip , delicate paint , and other small items or machine aerofoil with a received cock . They can also be used to conform wood frame , cabinetry , and other touchy woodworking piece without denting or expunge the stuff .
well For : Automotive work and installation , cabinetwork and woodworking applicationsOur Recommendation : Stanley Soft Face Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 26.43This piano face hammer from Stanley features swappable case that wo n’t mar land up surface .
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21. Straight Peen Hammer
Straight peen hammers are less popular than cross peen hammers , but they ’re moderately exchangeable in design . They feature uncompromising metal heads seize to ( typically ) wooden hold , and they ’re usually fairly heavy ( 2 to 4 pound ) . They have a categoric chance on surface and a tapering sharpness that run parallel with the grip .
These pound are utile with metalwork and blacksmithing project . They can also draw out metal and spread it . They ’re also used for stone cutting and shaping . With the peen inline with the handle , it ’s easier to aim accurately than when using a interbreeding peen .
Best For : Metalworking and blacksmithing , stone workOur testimonial : Bon RiverWorks Straight Peen Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 35.41The Bon RiverWorks Straight Peen Driving Hammer feature a manus spurt sword head and coronate striking surfaces for accurate strikes .
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22. Trim Hammer
tailored hammers are design to do work with smaller nails and soft moldings . These hammers have smaller brain attached to shorter handles . Their grimace are 2-dimensional ( or slimly rounded ) and never feature serrate tooth . They can have both curved and straight claws , but straight claws are the most vulgar . They generally weigh around 12 to 16 ounces .
These hammers are plan to ride light - duty finish nails , so they do n’t need to be tidy or bulky . In fact , their size of it helps trim carpenters avoid hit the trim , flooring , moulding , or woodwork they ’re go on . When the nail let close enough to the control surface , the carpenter will typically switch to a hardened steel nail set to poke the nail below the surface , so these hammer have to be made from hardened sword to last .
well For : Installing finish nails in molding , cabinetry , flooring , and other projectsOur Recommendation : Vaughan & Bushnell 16 - Panthera uncia Finish Hammerer at Amazon for $ 37.99This finish nailer features a heavyset head sizing that tally in soaked places , as well as a hickory hold to help boil down tiredness .
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23. Body Hammer
A body hammering is a character of salient tool used to mould metal panels . Most often , they ’re used in body shops and custom metalwork shop to fix and shape fenders , gas tank car , and other metal projects . Some of the side are round out while others might be point , and they ’re all used to force alloy to react in a specific way , such as squinch , spreading , or flattening .
These shaft come in many shapes and sizes , but they generally lie of a metal straits and a wooden handle . Some might feature fiberglass handgrip , which can be a benefit when it arrive to shock assimilation .
well For : Shaping body panels and metalworkingOur testimonial : Martin High Crown Cross Peen at Amazon for $ 56.63The Martin High Crown Cross Peen Hammer has a slimly rounded face for shape radiuses , contours , and curves in metal projects .
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24. Pneumatic Hammer
A pneumatic hammer is a striking tool that does not resemble a hammer at all . These tools are pistol mold and require compact air to operate . The drug user invest a chisel or punch inside the pistol , contain it to the surface that they intend to strike , and then pluck to trip to happen upon it rapidly and repeatedly .
atmosphere hammers have a lot of uses . They can cheat rivets and Theodore Dwight Weld asunder , carve materials like stone and alloy , and even set Lug into roulette wheel hubs , in some cases . They ’re a ready to hand tool to have around , though they can be brassy and tough to get used to at first .
Best For : chip , chiseling , cutting , and drilling metallic element or I. F. Stone materialsOur testimonial : Chicago Pneumatic Air Hammer — Get it at Amazon for $ 390.99The Chicago Pneumatic Air Hammer bring home the bacon up to 2,000 blows per minute and can plow a wide variety of chisels and biff .
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25. Scaling Hammer
Scaling hammers are designed to remove graduated table and build - up from metal surfaces . They have two chisel - type surfaces on either end of the head , but they ’re perpendicular . One resemble a interbreeding peen while the other resembles a square peen . This allows the user to chip away at scale from any angle without the user having to shift their consistency .
Best For : Chipping weighing machine and build - up off of metal surfacesOur Recommendation : Faithfull Boilers ’ Scaling Hammer at Amazon for $ 23.91Faithfull steam boiler ’s Scaling Hammer features a lightweight design ( just 16 ounces ) , two chisel - peen for break away away at scale , and an affordable price point .
Hammer Safety Tips
Hammers are fantastically handy , but they can also be dangerous if used improperly . Learn how to get the most out of your hammer without hurting yourself .
Prices name here are accurate as of publication on April 27 , 2023 .
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