Should I buy top quality hammers and dollies?

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:13 pm
Do you think it's worth spending a bunch of money on name brand hammers and dollies or will the cheaper ones still do a good job?

I saw a video on youtube that talked about all the different hammers and dollies that are used, do I really need all these?

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 1:58 am
Even though I'm a painter I still do small panel repairs, so have a limited range of hammers and dollies. Although they're used for work I'd really find it hard to justify the really top shelf items. I started off with cheapies and moved to mid-range quality - there is quite a difference and those tools allow me to do what I have to do.

A professional panel beater would probably say that it's the skill, more than the tool, but, at least in that side of what I do, I still rely on the tool to help me. A set of 3 hammers should get you out of most situations - standard bumping, a shrinking head and at least one fine pick. Same thing with dollies where a set of the three most common ones will do most things. Panel work can mean that you utilise whatever resources you have - a club hammer and a piece of 4x2 being essential items.

So, my advice is to steer clear of the real cheap and nasty ones where the hammer faces can do more damage than good and the handles constantly separate from the heads. Have a look at some really good tools and then find something in the mid price range that looks and feels the same.

It's the same as with any tools, really. My tool box is full of SP Tools, Sidchrome and Gearwrench but no Snap-On or cheap no-name rubbish.
Chris



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PostPosted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:35 am
The video didn't work for me, but the face of the hammer is what you need to look at, and the feel of the hammer as you use it. The different type hammers are for different operations, but this is the hammer I use most of the time.
https://www.tooldiscounter.com/product/ ... d62fcf6805

Its a high quality hammer, at a reasonable price. Two or three dollies will get you through a lot of work, depending on the work you have in mind.

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:21 am
chevman wrote:The video didn't work for me, but the face of the hammer is what you need to look at, and the feel of the hammer as you use it. The different type hammers are for different operations, but this is the hammer I use most of the time.
https://www.tooldiscounter.com/product/ ... d62fcf6805

Its a high quality hammer, at a reasonable price. Two or three dollies will get you through a lot of work, depending on the work you have in mind.


For a sample of what this guy can do with a hammer:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=17047&hilit=57+chevy
Still waiting for an updated progress report on this project Chevman! :wink:
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31



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PostPosted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:49 am
I started with a cheap set only to learn they are just that cheap! The Handles came off the heads, handles broke and the hammer surfaces Marred my work from sharp edges, As Chevman said look at hammer surface that's the most important!!!!

Inspect the Faces on New or Used tools you dont want any sharp edges It must be Smooth with no marks in its surface no raised edges, no dents, no gouges or scratches also stay away from used tools that looked to have been REPAIRED or Polished I have seen many on Ebay or at Swap meets that the surfaces Had been reground and re-polished and where no longer a Good tools.

Just my opinion but Martin hammers and Dollys are about the best you can buy in my opinion although I do have one or two Snap on Hammers in my collection I always grab my Martins first they just have a better feel and balance to them and believe or not I even have two old elcheapo no name brand ones as well


To get started a good low crown Hammer with a chisel end or pick end will serve you well, As Far as Dollys go a Good Toe, and Heel Dolly will get you going and serve you well for many many years.
I use my Toe Dolly for most every thing and grab my heel when I need a little more crown or need the extra umph from its weight.
Like Your Hammers you want a Smooth dolly with no Sharp edges or Tool marks. Try to stay away from used ones that looked to have been reground and polished they have specific curves and contours to them you don't want ground off.
Dont get me wrong USED Tools are just Fine just as long as some one hasn't taken them to a Belt sander or Grinder and messed up the Crowns and curves. These tools have a Particular shape to them for a reason. Beware of used tools on ebay or at Swap meets I have seen many that at first glance looked like a New tool only after looking closely at it you could tell that that the owner had taken it to a Belt sander or Grinder and re polished it this is Bad.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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