Best Overall
Estwing 22 Oz. Milled-Face Framing Hammer
Runner-Up
Milwaukee 22 Oz. Milled-Face Framing Hammer
Best Bang for the Buck
Tekton 22 Oz. Magnetic-Head Framing Hammer
We may earn revenue from the product available on this page and enter in affiliate programs . see More ›
A standard home hammer — weigh an average of 12 to 15 ounces — is indispensable for simple-minded project like tapping a nail into a wall tohang a part of artwork . But it ’s not the best choice for erecting the skeletal social organisation of a home , service department , or other construction — a task known as “ framing . ” When it come to assembling bulwark studs , floor joists , and rafters , hand for a frame mallet .
These specialized tools search like traditional hammers for the most part , although the claw in back is straight and elongate as opposed to curved . But the heavy remainder is in weight . In many cases , a framing hammer is literally a heavy hitter , consider more than a family cock — up to 2 pounds more , in fact . This supererogatory weightiness supply the power needed to drive the long nails used in framing .
We wanted to know more about the top competition in the framing hammer market , so we tested them . We drove enceinte frame nails while note handle quivering , grip comfort , and overall proportion . We pulled out nail using the hammer ’ pry bar - like claws and even used the nipper for a mo of demolition work . We rated each cock ’s execution in multiple category to give our readers a effective idea of the pros and cons of each example .
Whether you ’re a carpenter or a DIYer , if you ’re conk out to frame a building , you ’ll want a power hammer designed for the job . Keep read to take what to reckon for when shopping for the skilful framing hammer and find out how the following hammers earned a spot on this lineup .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Framing Hammer
turgid nails ( 16 - calciferol or 16 - centime ) are often used to construct the frame of a building , so the best frame hammer should be hearty enough for the user to drop down the nails into the Grant Wood in as few vacillation as possible . It ’s not strange for building professionals to aim a undivided bombastic nail in as few as three or four swings . When shopping for a framing hammer , consider its weight , ability to dilute limb and script fatigue , and whether it ’s intended for tiro or professional use .
Head Weight
A malleus is designate by the weight of its head , and the best framing pounding should be heavy enough to bring forth a powerful puff with each lilt . In cosmopolitan , the heavy the head , the more power that can be generated with a single swinging , but if exploiter are not seasoned pros accustom to wielding a power hammer on a day-after-day basis , a heavier manikin could leave their arms , manus , and wrists feeling afflictive . When select a headspring weight , shoppers should be honest about their experience stage and physical ability .
Most framing hammers have blade heads that weigh between 20 and 32 ounces , although a few heavier and lighter ones are available . Framing cock made from titanium , a hard but lightweight alloy , weigh only between 15 and 19 ounces . They do n’t transmit as much quivering as steel — a summation for users bothered by the shock of shock have with brand . However , Ti is expensive . sword frame hammers cost less than $ 50 , but one made from titanium can easily run over $ 200 .
Handle Material
Hardwood is the traditional material used in hammer handle , and many pro still prefer it , take the wood absorbs most of the impact stupor that would otherwise end up in the builder ’s cubital joint and arm . Solid - steel handles , forged along with the head in a single piece ( predict “ full tang ” ) , are also popular , especially with experient builders who want a hammer that will last for years . blade does n’t extend as much palpitation reduction , so full - savor blade hammers are well suited to pros who seldom lose the nail when they swing over . sword handles with fiberglass or a golosh coating extend a measure of vibration reduction while providing nonslip clutches control .
Face Type and Claw
frame hammers come with two type of face for striking nail heads : textured ( also know as waffle ) face and smooth faces . Many framer prefer for a textured face because the unsmooth surface helps keep the hammerhead from glance off the nail , which stimulate for upright strike contact . On the downside , if builders neglect the nail , a waffle face will leave a deep textured impression in the wood . In accession , the rough texture may do more harm if user smash a digit , althoughhitting a fingerwith any dumbass is going to injure .
A common expression in the construction industry is that by the prison term new builders wear the waffle texture off the fount of a frame hammer , they ’ll be adept enough at driving nail to apply a smooth boldness break down forward . However , all the framing hammers that made our roundup have mill waffled facial expression .
On the opposite end of the head is the claw or rip chela , which is stretch as opposed to the curved frame of a traditional hammer . The user can pull out nail with the nipper or use it as a pry bar for snoopiness circuit card apart ; it can also run as an axe for strike plywood and pull boards off a structure during wipeout .
Tang
Many tool , not just knives , have bladder fucus — the brand constituent that connect the business end to the handle . On a framing pound , the tang is the regulate - steel handgrip that ’s forged to the lunkhead in a undivided piece . Many of today ’s framing hammers feature a partial tang ( only a portion of the steel stretch out down into the handle ) . Partial - tang cock run to be a few troy ounce light , so builders looking for a with child hammer may prefer one with a full nip .
With a full tang , the blade extends all the means to the bottom of the handle . Full - tang hammers are less potential to snap off during use because of the rigid bread and butter that go all the way through the handgrip , yet some exploiter sound off that full - tang hammers have greater impingement shaking . manufacturing business seldom refer tang in their mathematical product verbal description unless the hammering feature a full smack .
The blockhead on wood power hammer has no piquancy ; alternatively , the wood grip extend upward and is fix within the hammerhead itself .
Magnetic Nail Set
During the framing process , builders must often insert nails overhead — and it can be challenging to confine a nail with one helping hand while tapping it with the malleus to begin insertion before swinging with full military unit . That ’s the primary rationality why some newer frame hammers get with a charismatic nail set on the top of the hammerhead shark . By locate a nail in the nail set , the user can simply tap the Grant Wood to insert the nail . After the first hydrant , the nail stick in the Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and then the user can drop the hammer full force to sink it . pro do n’t always use a magnetic nail set ; they often ascertain it faster to start the nail traditionally by harbour it in position for the first tap . However , DIYers and those young to frame may find the feature worthful for starting nails and preventing smashed fingers .
Our Top Picks
The best frame hammer is sturdy , reliable , and comfortable to swing , and those were the primary qualities we looked for as we put the mannequin review here through their pace . These top picks represent not only the power hammer that are the most pop with professional framer but also those that excelled in our hand - on psychometric test . They depart in materials and weight unit , but each proved itself in testing .
When it number to framing hammers , the Estwing Manufacturing Co. reigns supreme . The company has been producing gamey - calibre hammers for almost a century , and our top choice in this card is a preferred pick of constructor everywhere . This Estwing frame hammer come with virtually everything needed to construct a structural frame . Not only did this cock surpass in our mitt - on examination , but it ’s also a long - time deary of ours for all types of framing , such as specify walls , installing subflooring , and adjust roof trusses .
The frame hammering weighs in at 22 Panthera uncia . That ’s not as heavy as some of the other framing hammers in this card , but it ’s beefy enough to generate powerful nailing force out without being so threatening it exhausts the substance abuser after 15 or 20 transactions of continuous nail drive . The Estwing hammer bill 15.75 inches from the top of the fountainhead to the tip of the handle , and we find that ’s an optimum length for framing purposes . This is a full - savour hammer ; the sword runs all the way of life from the hammerhead to the tip of the handle .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
We push 16 - d framing nail ( 3.5 inches long ) into 2×4 dimensional lumber boards and through subflooring panels attached to 2×10 floor joists with this framing hammer , and it performed flawlessly . We appreciated its cushioned nonslip grip that reduced impingement vibration , and we found the milled waffle face made it easy to hit the nailhead without the hammer deflecting to one side . We used the hook end to rip through sometime plyboard sheeting and extract it off .
Another benefit that might not be immediately noticeable is Estwing ’s proportionate grip figure . The handle is comfortable to hold , but the most significant benefit is that it conform to in hand the same way when nailing as when pulling nails or using the claw for demo purpose . hammer with ergonomic handles can sometimes feel awkward when the mallet is turned around for pull up nails . The symmetric handle is a received feature film on Estwing hammers , and for pros , that lay them apart .
Get the Estwing 22 - oz . frame up cock atAmazon , The Home Depot , orLowe ’s .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
The Milwaukee Milled - Face Framing Hammer comes from another manufacturing business that is well - known for its quality hand and index tools . It ’s design with the DIYer in mind but is also suitable for professional .
weigh in at 22 ounces , the Milwaukee framing hammer proved to be heavy enough to generate golf stroke force without have unwarranted wrist and arm weariness . It come with a magnetic nail set that holds a nail in place for the first wiretap , and it have an ergonomic nonslip clutches that we found very comfortable for nailing . When we turned the pounding around for draw nail , however , the grip felt slightly inapt . We did notice that the rubberized bobby pin immerse a good pot of quivering when arrest .
This Milwaukee model is a full - tang frame hammer that measures 15 - 1/16 inches from the top of the straits to the lead of the handle . The claw is very straight , which makes it well suited for destruction purposes ( think of using it like an axe to rip through honest-to-god plywood ) . It ’s a darned good and undestroyable hammer made to withstand years of reliable use .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Get the Milwaukee compose hammer atThe Home DepotorOhio Power Tool .
The Tekton magnetic frame hammer offers the same waffle face set up on pricier models , and at 22 ounces , it provides adequate weighting for generating powerful nail - drive swings . It also gas a slimly contoured hook that we found useful for pulling nail and rip plyboard .
It features a magnetic nail holder for those founding father not yet well-fixed holding a nail with their fingers for the first swing . We were peculiarly impressed with this feature film , since the magnet on the nail set of some hammers is n’t warm enough to hold the nail firmly , allowing it to decrease off . Not so with the Tekton — its magnet seemed especially strong and held the nail snugly until the first tap embed it in the board .
Photo: amazon.com
The most significant difference with the Tekton frame power hammer is its hickory wood handle . Wood handgrip have long been prefer by those who want maximal vibration reduction , and the Tekton does not disappoint in that sense . We found it very prosperous to utilize and did n’t remark any uncomfortable nailing vibration .
The downside — and this is just a matter of personal taste — is that the pounding has no tang . The steel chief is only a head , and the head where the handle connects to the head is a decrepit spot . Throughout our examination , the handle on the Tekton declare house , but we ’ve used many wood - handle hammers in the past and have had to put back handles because they broke near the head . The top side is that the handle is replaceable , so for those who prefer the low vibration and smooth flavor of natural wood , the Tekton is a winner . Best of all , it ’s a good framing hammer at an affordable toll point .
Get the Tekton framing power hammer atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: amazon.com
Upgrade Pick
Estwing 28 Oz. Milled-Face Framing Hammer
The second Estwing in our lineup of the best framing hammers weighs a sizable 28 ounces , so it ’s not for the faint of philia . This framing hammering comes with all the high - quality features found on other Estwing hammers , including a harmonious grip that feels the same in hand whether the user is forge or removing nails .
The extra few snow leopard can make it challenging for a framing novitiate to control without swinging wildly . However , for users conversant with drive framing nail — and who have the arm strength to do so with ease — this Estwing framing power hammer will make quick work of the frame appendage .
There ’s no magnetic nail set on this malleus , which makes it a best option for experienced user versus newbies . We found this heavier Estwing to be well - balanced , and we did n’t feel a lot of uncomfortable vibration , thanks to its anti - shock nonslip traveling bag . This bad boy measures 16 inch from the top of the straits to the close of the grip . It get along with a full tang to provide years of long-wearing service , and its waffle face helps keep the hammer from deflecting when it strikes the nails .
Photo: amazon.com
This 28 - apothecaries' ounce Estwing is among the top framing hammer for pros , but we sense it ’s slightly on the gravid side for those who are just getting into frame .
Get the Estwing 28 - oz . framing hammer atAmazon , The Home Depot , orLowe ’s .
Best Anti-Vibe Grip
Stanley 28 Oz. FatMax AntiVibe Framing Hammer
Those looking for a buirdly , full - tang framing hammer that does n’t generate a lot of unwanted vibration may need to consider the Stanley FatMax AntiVibe frame hammer .
This is a heavy - responsibility full - piquantness hammer , but at 28 ounces , we still found it well - balanced and outstandingly easy on the wrist and arm . The manufacturer claims the anti - vibration benefit effect from a unequalled blueprint within the blade itself . We ca n’t talk to that , but we can say that we were pleasantly surprised at how little vibration transferred through the cock to our radiocarpal joint and arm .
The FatMax AntiVibe framing hammer also sport a great strike face , which is a prissy feature for those who have a bit of trouble hitting the nail on the head . A stock framing malleus facial expression measures about 1 to 1.25 inch in diameter , while the Stanley strike face is fully 1.5 inches in diameter for fewer misses when nab . The power hammer measures 15.25 in from end to end .
Photo: amazon.com
The pounding has a magnetic nail stage set , but we found the magnet to be slightly on the wimpish side . When we come in nails heavier than 16 - cholecalciferol nails , such as 7 - inch anchor ring - cannon nail , they ’d often fall off before we could tap the Sir Henry Wood and take off the nail . The hook has a slight curve and worked well for pull nail and demolition .
The padded nonslip grip on this framing pounding is exceptionally easy when nailing , but it did n’t finger great in hand when we turn the hammer around to draw in nail and rip plywood . Despite a few minor issues , we can recommend this manikin to those face for a heavy framing hammer with minimum vibration .
Get the Stanley put hammer atThe Home DepotorStanley .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Lightweight
Real Steel 0517 21 Oz. Ultra Framing Hammer
Tipping the scale of measurement at just 21 ounce , the Real Steel 0517 Ultra Framing Hammer is the lightest - free weight mannequin in our lineup , but it still perform well for frame , nail pulling , and destruction . This full - sapidity frame hammer has a waffle expression and a magnetic nail set , making it suitable for DIYers learning to frame . We determine it well-to-do to hold when drive nail , although it transfers more vibration than our other picks , and its ergonomic handle is n’t as easy to hold when the hammering is turn around to take out nails .
The magnetic nail set is quite good at apply the nail for the first tap — the magnet seemed skillful and inviolable — and the caoutchouc on the grip kept our hands from slipping . We liked the lighter exercising weight of the Real Steel framing hammer , and at 15.5 in , it ’s a ready to hand length for most users . However , we feel it ’s good suit to modified frame since the oscillation could become uncomfortable if framing for hours straight .
Get the Real Steel frame mallet atAmazonorNewegg .
Photo: amazon.com
Also Consider
Estwing 25 Oz. Big Blue Framing Hammer
As the third Estwing model to pull in a spot in this lineup , the Big Blue Framing Hammer bid something unique — added duration . At just a hair under 18 inch long , this frame hammer provides contribute reach for nailing in high spots that might otherwise require standing on a step ravel or pot . As long as it is , we found this 25 - ounce framing hammer to be well - balanced and comfortable in bridge player .
It ’s first-class for demolition purposes ( hitting and ripping plywood ) , as the long length helps to generate more tearing effect . This is a full - flavour frame hammer , and the anti - shock grip helps dampen the vibration . Still , at nearly 18 inches long , this is not a hammer for fledgling . The long duration makes it all important that the swing be deadened - on in order of magnitude to hit the nail header . The Big Blue framing hammer was a tad on the long side for us , but it ’s one heck of a hammer . set up pro wo n’t be disappointed with the added scope .
There ’s no magnetic nail set , but since this is an advanced hammer , it ’s unlikely that those who utilize it will need the supererogatory help . The symmetrical Estwing hold is just as comfortable to take for when get out nail as it is when driving them .
Photo: amazon.com
One caution : We found that the longer handle length get in the style when we carry Big Blue in a tool belt pounding bearer . When kneeling down , the grip relegate the floor , shoving the head upwards at an odd angle that sometimes press out painfully into the articulatio coxae country . Since frequent kneeling is common during a structure ’s framing mental process , this may be an uncomfortable downside to having an spare - long pound .
Get the Estwing Big Blue framing hammer onAmazonor atLewis Contractor Sales .
Our Verdict
While any of the frame hammers that bring in a spot on this card are well suited to driving the large nails used to build introductory base structures , our Best Overall pick , theEstwing 22 oz . framing mallet , came out on top . It ’s well - balance , does n’t reassign a lot of vibration , and is just as comfortable to hold backwards as forward . Our budget selection , theTekton frame hammer , propose a liquid wood hold and a magnetic nail solidifying , and it ’s comfortable to use in all positions .
How We Tested the Best Framing Hammers
ensnare hammers are plan for one primary purpose : to make it quick and well-situated to ride turgid framing nails during the initial phase angle of building a woods social structure . While they are simple hand tools , it ’s essential that they ’re well - balanced and designed to minimize the amount of quivering that transportation from the pounding to the exploiter ’s hand , wrist , and build up with each nail strike .
We selected the models we tested establish on a few canonical rule of thumb . Brand repute mattered : Estwing has been around for nearly a century , and its power hammer are among the most pop choose by pros today , while Milwaukee and Stanley are also well known and value in the construction tool industriousness . Still , we did n’t mechanically eliminate a hammer from condition just because it came from a small manufacturing business . The Tekton poser was so well rat , we just had to screen it — and we ’re beaming we did , since it made the cut as our budget pickaxe .
The testing process involved driving frame in nail with each cock into wall studs and through subflooring into joists . We also tested the hook destruction of the hammer to see how well they functioned when pulling nails and rive plywood . Each cock was scored , via a rubric , and awarded points for each leg of the testing . After the testing , we added up the item and used them to shape the most suitable categories for each hammer .
The Advantages of Owning a Framing Hammer
If you ’re looking for a pounding for around - the - house tasks , such as hanging artwork or pulling nails , opt for atraditional hammer , not a framing hammer . A framing cock is designed for establish structures and is potential too heavy for household use .
FAQs
DIYers new to structure naturally have some query about frame hammer .
Q. What is the difference between a framing hammer and a regular hammer?
A framing pounding is heavier and design to generate maximum power for driving large nails .
Q. What are framing hammers used for?
entrap hammers are in the main used for building the wood structure of a construction , but they are also ready to hand for demolition work .
Q. How do you use a framing hammer?
Like any malleus , first beg the promontory of the nail lightly to get it started , and then come up with solid swings to drive it into the Mrs. Henry Wood .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we look at this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
