Swapped my framing hammer for a lighter one after a bad day on a roof job

I used to think heavy hammers meant faster driving, but my elbow started screaming after 6 hours of nailing trusses on the Miller project last month. Switched to a 20-ounce Estwing and my arm actually feels fine at the end of the day. Anyone else ditch the big rig for something lighter?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason7983h ago

Miller project was a tough one for sure... I noticed something similar with my tools over the last few years. It's not just hammers though, I started seeing it with everything from my drill to my tape measure. Seems like everywhere you look, people are chasing the biggest, heaviest gear thinking it's the toughest, when really it just wears you out faster. My buddy still uses his dad's old 28-ounce framing hammer and his shoulder is wrecked by lunchtime. It's like we all got sold this idea that heavy equals strong, but after a full day on the roof, light and smart wins every time.

ruby5613h ago

Oh man, you hit the nail on the head. I had this same realization a few years back when I swapped out my old heavy framing hammer for a lighter one and suddenly my whole day felt easier. It's like once you get used to the weight you just don't notice how much it's dragging you down until you try something different. My buddy is the same way, he swears by his grandpa's old steel hammer but he's constantly complaining about his elbow and back. I think somewhere along the line people just assumed that more metal means more durability when really it just means more fatigue. Light and smart is definitely the way to go, especially when you're up there all day.