What Is a Temporary Frame Hammer?
A hammer is a general term for a tool used to strike an object. It consists of a metal striking part (head) and a part held by the hand (handle).
A temporary frame hammer is a type of hammer used for a temporary framework to assemble formwork for pouring concrete into construction work.
The head of a temporary frame hammer is slightly longer than that of an ordinary hammer. One side of the head is the striking surface and the other side is the nail puller. To facilitate a temporary framework in areas with various obstacles, the handle is long, and the hammer’s striking surface is shaped like a trumpet, becoming thinner the closer it is to the handle.
How to Use Temporary Frame Hammers
During the temporary framework to assemble the formwork for pouring concrete, nails are hammered into wood such as veneer boards and square timbers, with temporary frame hammers.
Since the formwork is to be dismantled and removed after the concrete has hardened, the nails are not driven in completely. Instead, they are left slightly raised in consideration of the dismantling work.
When dismantling the formwork, the nails are removed with the nail-removing part of the temporary frame hammer. The head of the temporary frame hammers are long, making it easy to remove even long nails. However, if the nail is so long that the hammering surface must be used as the fulcrum for removing the nail, the head of the temporary frame hammers may be damaged. For very long nails, it is safer to use a crowbar instead of temporary frame hammers.
How to Choose Temporary Frame Hammers
Temporary frame hammers do not have much variation in the size of the hammerhead, such as the diameter of the striking surface, which is in the range of 1″ to 1.2″.
Instead, the handle lengths vary between 30 and 60 cm. Temporary formwork work sites often have obstacles such as steel frames for fixing the formwork, separators, and water lines for checking the horizontal plane. A hammer with a long handle is suitable for use at such sites. However, hammers with long handles have the disadvantage of being less accurate in striking. Therefore, it is advisable to select a hammer with a handle of the appropriate length for the work site and the work to be performed.
In addition, there are various types of materials used for the handles of striking hammers, including wood, steel, and fiberglass. Steel and fiberglass materials are resistant to breaking and bending and are suitable for hard-hitting work. Wooden handles are less durable but have the advantage of being replaceable when the head or handle wears out.
Temporary frame hammers are available with or without a striated non-slip surface on the striking surface. It is said that the non-slip type is easier to work with when hammering nails.
Temporary frame hammers are available in a type with a magnet, which has a groove with a built-in magnet at the top of the striking surface. By setting a nail in this groove and driving it directly into the hammer, the first blow can be made with one hand. It is advisable to choose temporary frame hammers with a magnet for sites where nailing work cannot be done with both hands, such as in high or intricate places.