The Best Tack Hammers to Work on DIY Projects All Day Long
Comparing the Premium Tack Hammer of 2024
Best Overall
Do you often lose control of your tool during work? With Estwing’s strike hammer, you can knock that worry off your list. Made of alloy steel, this product features a hickory handle that is built to make your life more convenient. The handle will comfortably fit the grip of your hand, allowing you to strike with all your might without hurting yourself. On top of this, the tack is magnetic, polished, and smooth to grant you optimum comfort and convenience. Make sure that you can work with the upholstery hammers with a single hand without compromising on the grip, power, and accuracy.
Pros
- Works well for upholstery projects
- Solid and durable construction
Cons
- The product’s coating can be improved
Key Features
But that’s not all. The seller guarantees the quality of this product by claiming that it will last for a lifetime, which is why we list this as our best overall product. Estwing’s tempering process grants this tool sufficient durability to stay with you for a very long time. So you no longer need to purchase new hammers now and then. Plus, this tool can be used by roofers, framers, carpenters, and people who are into DIY projects with ease.
Best Finish
Our next pick features a forged head that is backed by a black finish. This will grant your striking tool the ability to outlast all your other hammers. Along with this, you get a high-quality, top-notch handle that will provide you with better control and accuracy. Each time you strike, you will feel that the hammer does most of the work for you.
Pros
- High-quality head
- The magnetic end helps with precision
Cons
- The top of the head is glue-fitted
Key Features
With an overall length of 10½ inches, you can expect this tool to stay by your side for a decent amount of time. Whereas, the magnetic tip will ensure that you hit the nail every single time with better precision. The handle is made of Alloy Steel and the head is durable forged steel.
Best Grip
Hardened and tempered for your convenience, up next we have General Tech’s upholstery hammer that features an amazing wood handle. People who like wood handles will certainly find this to their liking. Weighing only 5 ounces, this tool has a forged steel head for your convenience. Now you can pound all the nails in the world without missing the mark.
Pros
- Light and easy to use
- Works well for upholstery jobs
Cons
- Not as sturdy as other products
Key Features
The face type of this product is Milled Crowned Face, to allow you to remove nails without hurting your hand. The handle material is alloy steel, which is quite popular these days for the right reasons.
Best Durability
Are you looking for a premium, modern hammer that has quality written all over it? Mr.Pen’s tool won’t let you down. Crafted from carbon steel, this striking tool is as durable as they come. Along with unmatched durability, you get a hammer claw to get rid of stubborn nails without a lot of effort. This hammer is the perfect companion for outdoor activities, as it’s very convenient to carry around. On top of that, it will be easy to work with once you get the hang of its grip and size. The size of this product is ideal to complete all your pending tasks.
Pros
- Strong and sturdy
- Ideal for jobs around the house
- Compact construction for portability
Cons
- Not recommended for heavy-duty tasks
Key Features
What makes this upholstery hammer different from others is that this one is multi-purpose. You can use it either in your shop or at your home. Its ergonomic design will ensure that you enjoy whatever you’re doing, whether it is woodwork or anything else.
Best Steel Head
Our last pick on the list features a head that only people who can recognize quality will appreciate. The head is carbon steel that is fine-grain and high-density to provide you with solid hits every time you are working. Its head has been tempered and hardened at the right temperature to grant it the quality that you are looking for.
Pros
- Value for money
- Comfortable and easy to hold
Cons
- Magnetism can be improved
Key Features
To ensure that the tool doesn’t rust after extensive use, the tool’s face has a lacquer coating on it that grants it anti-rust properties. If you’re tired of rusted hammers, then you should take a look at this one. The magnetic face is meant to help you strike nails without missing your target. Now you can work on the project of your choice with this by your side.
Buying Guide: How to Find the Right Tack Hammer
Whether you are a seasoned worker or someone busy with DIY projects all year round, you know how important upholstery hammers are. With every project, presentation is crucial. Even if it’s functional but it doesn’t look appealing, people will reject it without thinking about it twice. You don’t want that to happen to you, right?
Well, that’s why we want you to go for the tool that not only stays by your side for a long time but also serves its intended purpose. Now how do you locate the right striking tool? What features should you look out for?
Things You Should Watch Out For
To be honest, when it comes to appearance, all hammers look the same, more or less. However, their quality differs significantly, that’s why we want you to go through this guide without missing a single element. We’ll help you find the right tool in a jiffy.
Work
When we talk about upholstery hammers, most people go for this particular tool to fix or build furniture, along with other upholstery projects. In all honesty, these jobs do not require a heavy-duty hammer. So if you need a tool for such projects, we suggest you steer clear of tack hammers.
You can also use this upholstery hammer for padding, and working with fabric or furniture frames. Again, all of this is light work. It is important to make this distinction in your head before setting foot into the market.
Weight
Usually, these striking tools are lightweight, but some are a pain to hold, quite literally. This is because either the head is too heavy or the handle is not up to par. No matter the case, the ideal tack hammer should be light and easy to carry. Remember, the project you are working on will probably ask for a lot of nails, so if the tool you are using is lightweight you won’t feel a thing. Otherwise, you will have to make do with its weight every single time you pound a nail. Furthermore, this can also reduce your accuracy. If the tool is too heavy, you have a higher chance of missing your target.
Construction
This is where you can bet all your money. Construction is probably the most important element out of all because this decides the quality of the striking hammer. These days, you will find that most upholstery hammers feature a forged steelhead, which is amazing to work with if you have small projects in mind. Carbon alloy also works wonders, so it boils down to personal preference if you ask us.
No matter the head, what’s important is how it’s fitted. If the head is attached with glue, then you have a higher chance of ending up with a loose tool. That’s never good to work with, right?
Handle
Another important element is the handle. In the market, you will conveniently find hickory handles these days, which are good to work with. What’s more important to consider is how the striking tool feels in your palm. Is it convenient to hold? Does it cause discomfort after a while?
Now, we don’t recommend you to stand in the market while holding a striking hammer in your hand for a couple of hours, but you can evaluate its comfortability, right? A comfortable handle will allow you to grip the striking hammer with perfection and you won’t experience pain even after gripping it for a while. Most importantly, it will grant you better precision and accuracy. If you can’t hold something properly, how do you expect to pound nails with perfection? Often, you will end up either missing your mark or the nail won’t sit as you want.
Anti-rust
This is one property that most people ignore. People who are into DIY projects will understand the importance of tools that are anti-rust. Rust will degrade the quality of your tool, oftentimes leaving it useless. If you want your investment to stay worthwhile, then it is better to look for striking hammers that are anti-rust.
Magnetism
If you are looking for this hammer, then you cannot ignore its magnetism feature. The magnetism should be strong enough to pick up nails and to help you pound them without applying a lot of effort. On top of this, magnetism shouldn’t stop working after a while. Rather, its force should remain strong even when you’ve used it multiple times.
Are Tack Hammers Necessary?
Since DIY projects have become a trend these days, people are going crazy for tools that they can work with. Consumers now appreciate completing their projects on their own. Since these tasks are usually light and easy to work with, tack hammers have become a necessity. Other hammers are quite large, and frankly speaking, they are difficult to carry. Plus, upholstery hammers get an edge with their magnetic head.
People Also Asked
Can I use a tack hammer for professional work?
If your work asks you to pound heavy-duty nails, or if it entails heavy work, then we do not suggest you go for tack hammers. These tools are meant for delicate projects only. So if your work demands working around with furniture, or fabric or putting up furniture frames then by all means go for it.
Why do striking tools have a split-end?
Split-ends are meant to pick up nails with ease. This way, you won’t hurt your fingers. Plus, it’s more convenient than manually picking up nails due to its magnetism.
How can I magnetize my striking hammer?
If you have a split-end tack hammer, then it is magnetized. However, if you want to reinforce the magnetism then place one of its ends on a magnet and wait for a while. The next time you use it, you will feel that the hammer has better magnetism now, compared to before.