A magnetic hammer is a device that attempts to make hammering nails easier by using the power of magnets. This tool looks like a regular hammer, but it is made of magnetic material that allows users to stick nails to the head and pound with one hand. It benefits builders by keeping one hand free for holding materials. This specialized hammer also has two distinct drawbacks: it uses only particular nails, and it has a high cost.
A magnetic hammer retains the basic form of a traditional hammer. It has a long, slim handle at one end and a traditional hammerhead at the opposite end. This heavy end has one flattened side for pounding nails and a pronged end used for prying up nails. The only difference is that regular hammerheads are constructed of hard metals such as steel, and magnetic hammers are made from magnetized metals.
The purpose of a magnetic hammer is twofold for construction professionals. First, the ability to hammer without having to steady a nail with one hand frees the user up for better securing the item intended to be hammered. For example, when magnetic hammers are used for roofing, the roofer can securely hold shingles in place with one hand and accurately hammer with the other. A second purpose of a magnetic hammer is to increase the speed of work. For example, when performing tedious tasks such as hammering drywall, the work time can be cut in half because fresh nails can be loaded quickly and then pounded into place.
One of the drawbacks of a magnetic hammer is that it cannot be used with every nail. Its owner must be certain to use plastic cap nails, metal cap nails, roofing nails or drywall nails. These nails have the correct metallic properties to adhere to the hammerhead. Other types of nails could stick poorly or not at all, creating many safety and accuracy issues.
The other drawback of the magnetic hammer is its cost. This tool makes the job much simpler, but the material it is constructed from makes it much more expensive than a traditional hammer. These tools generally cost anywhere from two to three times more than a regular hammer.