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Tried rough framing with a regular framing hammer for a year, switched to a California framer and it saved my wrist
Honestly spent way too long thinking a standard 22oz hammer was fine for framing walls. My buddy Pat who's been doing custom homes in Phoenix for 15 years kept telling me to try a California framer with the milled face and lighter head. After a year of sore wrists on big jobs I finally grabbed one for 45 bucks at a supply house in Tempe. First day using it on a 1200 sq ft shell and I was way less tired by lunch. The balance is totally different. Has anyone else noticed a big difference switching hammer types or am I just getting old?
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schmidt.blake7d ago
Have you noticed the difference in how your elbow feels at the end of the day too? That lighter head on the California framer makes a huge difference for me, my elbow stopped aching after about a month of using it. I think the milled face also helps with grip and keeps you from muscling the hammer as much.
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joel2807d agoOG Member
Man I feel like such a dummy for not switching sooner. I was swinging a 22 oz framing hammer for YEARS thinking the extra weight meant I was getting more done. Truth is, my elbow was just screaming at me every night and I was too stubborn to listen. Tried a buddy's California framer on a job last month and felt like I was cheating. The lighter head is NIGHT AND DAY for your joints. I actually thought I was losing strength at first, turns out I was just beating my arm up for no reason. What really got me was how much more accurate I got with the lighter swing - I used to send nails flying all over the place with that heavy thing.
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