Sledge Hammer

[The Critic]

I am in the market for a double-face sledge hammer in the 12-16 lb range. ~3 ft handle. COO isn't important.

https://wiltontools.com/12-lb-head-36-b-a-s-hr-sledge-hammer-30hrc

Are Wilton's worth the investment?

 

[totegoat]

Buy the best you can afford, looks like a quality hammer.

 

[RyanY]

Probably depends how often you will use it. I bought a 12 lb Harbor Freight sledge hammer about 5 years ago and used it twice. It worked well both times, and I'm glad I didn't spend more for a better quality hammer.

 

[The Critic]

Probably depends how often you will use it. I bought a 12 lb Harbor Freight sledge hammer about 5 years ago and used it twice. It worked well both times, and I'm glad I didn't spend more for a better quality hammer.

What’s the ideal size? I’m thinking 12lb plus weight of the handle should be suffice for most situations. Wilton does have a 20lb but that seems a bit overkill.

 

[andyd]

Only time I used a 16 pounder was to massage a high corner on a hawse pipe. 12 pounders work fine without using up your arms and shoulders

 

[jhellwig]

8 pounds would be a better size. 12-16 is overkill unless you are smashing something big.

 

[cheech279]

I am in the market for a double-face sledge hammer in the 12-16 lb range. ~3 ft handle. COO isn't important.

https://wiltontools.com/12-lb-head-36-b-a-s-hr-sledge-hammer-30hrc

Are Wilton's worth the investment?

I've got sledge hammers handed down from my father that are 50-60 years old. Spend the money, buy a good one. Estwing or Stanley look good.

 

[RyanY]

What’s the ideal size? I’m thinking 12lb plus weight of the handle should be suffice for most situations. Wilton does have a 20lb but that seems a bit overkill.

I bought my 12 lb to install five fence post sleeves, and a year later I used it to knock out a wall. I have not used it since, so i really cant say what the ideal size is. Most jobs around the house/cars are better suited for a 3 lb BFH.

 

[IndyIan]

8 pounds would be a better size. 12-16 is overkill unless you are smashing something big.

+1 Unless you are a very strong guy, you will hit with more energy with an 8lb'er especially with a 3' handle.
I've got 4,6,and 8lb splitting mauls, and the 6lb gets used the most, but the 4 isn't far behind. The 8lb one doesn't get uses much really, mostly the back of it is used for driving t-posts.

 

[Soft Cars]

Crank up the volume!

 

[Trav]

I have an old 10lb Ludell with hickory handle, even 10lb gets heavy if doing a lot of work, I guess if you have a lot of experience on the prison rock pile you can mess with 12-16lb all day.

 

[spasm3]

I am in the market for a double-face sledge hammer in the 12-16 lb range. ~3 ft handle. COO isn't important.

https://wiltontools.com/12-lb-head-36-b-a-s-hr-sledge-hammer-30hrc

Are Wilton's worth the investment?

I've split a lot of wood with a wedge and sledge hammer, as well as a maul. 12lbs is heavy, more than that and its really going to limit your swings. I use an 8lb maul now.

The wilton has a nice handle with a steel core. But realize that 10lb hammer will be heavier with the steel core handle.

What is the intended use ?

IF its a few blows too loosen brake rotors its one thing. Driving posts or splitting wood, go lighter

8lbs is the sweet spot for wood splitting.

 

[D60]

My largest is 8. I can't imagine a 16 and even 12 sounds excessive for anything shy of heavy demo.

 

[cb_13]

What’s the intended use? IMO heavy is only good for use as a rock crusher. I found my 10 pound sledge with no handle in my grandpa’s shop. It’s painted red and marked 10 Japan. A local True Value hickory handle and it’s been good for about 20 years now. You might even find an old USA made head at a flea market or swap meet if you don’t mind buying a handle.

I split a lot of wood in college for beer money with that ten pound sledge and wedge. Although the flat side of a splitting maul should be used for that as the hardness of the sledge and the wedge are a high risk to send a piece of either in your direction. Never happened to me personally but I’ve been told the Good Lord often protects drunks and idiots. At that time I was both.

A front end tech I worked with had an 8 pound sledge he cut the handle to about 18” on. He could really knock out a ball joint with that thing!

 

[demarpaint]

I have Estwing in 8 and 10 lb. from my firewood splitting days. The 8 lb hammer saw the most use, unless something was a real ***** to split.

 

[Pablo]

I am in the market for a double-face sledge hammer in the 12-16 lb range. ~3 ft handle. COO isn't important.

https://wiltontools.com/12-lb-head-36-b-a-s-hr-sledge-hammer-30hrc

Are Wilton's worth the investment?

Go with Fastenal, great price!!

Honestly I have a collection and no idea what names they are. Buy the cheapest one. Used if you can find. Save money for your retirement.

Yeah in my ball peen selection there are 3 Estwing mixed in but that's a hammer of a different color.

 

[D60]

Go with Fastenal, great price!!

Honestly I have a collection and no idea what names they are. Buy the cheapest one. Used if you can find. Save money for your retirement.

Yeah in my ball peen selection there are 3 Estwing mixed in but that's a hammer of a different color.

Actually yeah, pawn shops are a good option here.

 

[The Critic]

8 pounds would be a better size. 12-16 is overkill unless you are smashing something big.

+1 Unless you are a very strong guy, you will hit with more energy with an 8lb'er especially with a 3' handle.
I've got 4,6,and 8lb splitting mauls, and the 6lb gets used the most, but the 4 isn't far behind. The 8lb one doesn't get uses much really, mostly the back of it is used for driving t-posts.

For the sake of variety, it sounds like have multiple weights (e.g. 6, 8, 12) in different handle lengths would be ideal?

I've split a lot of wood with a wedge and sledge hammer, as well as a maul. 12lbs is heavy, more than that and its really going to limit your swings. I use an 8lb maul now.

The wilton has a nice handle with a steel core. But realize that 10lb hammer will be heavier with the steel core handle.

What is the intended use ?

IF its a few blows too loosen brake rotors its one thing. Driving posts or splitting wood, go lighter

8lbs is the sweet spot for wood splitting.

What’s the intended use? IMO heavy is only good for use as a rock crusher. I found my 10 pound sledge with no handle in my grandpa’s shop. It’s painted red and marked 10 Japan. A local True Value hickory handle and it’s been good for about 20 years now. You might even find an old USA made head at a flea market or swap meet if you don’t mind buying a handle.

I split a lot of wood in college for beer money with that ten pound sledge and wedge. Although the flat side of a splitting maul should be used for that as the hardness of the sledge and the wedge are a high risk to send a piece of either in your direction. Never happened to me personally but I’ve been told the Good Lord often protects drunks and idiots. At that time I was both.

A front end tech I worked with had an 8 pound sledge he cut the handle to about 18” on. He could really knock out a ball joint with that thing!

Both automotive and general house-related applications. A TC43BPF is my largest hammer. I will occasionally find a stuck tire or hub that requires something heavier duty. Based on the posts so far, it sounds like having multiple sizes and lengths would be the ideal situation? I'm thinking a 12" long 6lb, 18" long 8lb and perhaps a 36" long 12lb?

 

[Astro14]

I am in the market for a double-face sledge hammer in the 12-16 lb range. ~3 ft handle. COO isn't important.

https://wiltontools.com/12-lb-head-36-b-a-s-hr-sledge-hammer-30hrc

Are Wilton's worth the investment?

My 2 1/2 lb bronze head Wilton BASH is my go to for hammers.

https://wiltontools.com/b-a-s-hr-ha...ammers/2-1-2-lb-head-12-b-a-s-hr-brass-hammer

Works so well, you would swear it was from Nidavellir…

You won’t regret buying a Wilton.

 

[The Critic]

My 2 1/2 lb bronze head Wilton BASH is my go to for hammers.

https://wiltontools.com/b-a-s-hr-ha...ammers/2-1-2-lb-head-12-b-a-s-hr-brass-hammer

Works so well, you would swear it was from Nidavellir…

You won’t regret buying a Wilton.

I own something similar from Snap-On, but need something for heavier duty situations.