"Doug Schultz" wrote in message
newsUMIe.123755$s54.69685@pd7tw2no...
Is it Possible that one would want a hammer as hard as steel that was non
magnetic?
so maybe hardened copper or Brass would come close?


Doug


I can imagine such a scenario. A beryllium copper hammer might be a nice
addition to a well equipped toolbox, but for common use, it's a serious
mistake to have such a hammer available, especially if its the only *soft*
hammer. Far too many people ignore the fact that copper alloys work
harden and can do serious damage to finished projects, therefore are
inclined to pick up a brass or copper hammer, thinking they're soft. Not
only are they rarely soft enough to provide the necessary protection, but
they also streak off, leaving unsightly smears in the dents they leave
behind. Plastic (Nupla) hammers don't do that, and they rarely fail to
provide the necessary blows needed for most applications. Making one from
brass, with the proper inserts for the application, insures that they do.

Harold







"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
...

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
I was browsing the MSC catalog and came across a page of soft hammers.
Brass, of course, but also copper, bronze, zinc, aluminum, lead, and
babbitt. I can see lead (the softest), copper (harder), and brass
(somewhat harder yet). But bronze and zinc are about the same hardness
as brass (?), and about the same density. What distinguishes these
three from each other, as far as their use in hammers?

It seems that lead and babbitt are even more similar and yet both are
offered. Why?

Thanks,
Bob

BTW - I've always believed that brass being softer than steel, you
could
deliver "... a solid blow to the work without damaging it." (as MSC
puts it). Don't believe it! I recently mushroomed the end of a steel
shaft using a brass hammer. Fortunately it wasn't a big deal.


Hammers made from soft metals aren't a great idea if they have the
propensity to work harden. A brass (or copper) hammer will get to the
point
where it will easily dent steel, rendering the hammer no more useful
than
a
ball peen. Metal soft hammers have no real place in the machine shop.

You want a good hammer? Buy one that is made by Nupla, or make one
that
uses Nupla hammer head inserts.

http://www.nuplacorp.com/

There is NO hammer on the market that comes close to the performance
they
provide. They provide tips in various diameters, with the most common
being
1-1/2". Their color code is an indicator of the hardness of the
heads------and there's one made for almost ANY type service. For the
machine shop, the green heads are a perfect balance of hardness and
toughness. I have used them as long as I've been in the shop, and
recommend them highly.

I made my first hammer right after I started in the shop, back in '57.
The
body is brass, with the green Nupla inserts on each end. I've had to
replace the heads only about four times in all the years I've used it.

Usual disclaimers. I am not affiliated with Nupla Corp. in any way,
just
a
very happy customer. They're top notch people.

Harold