A wide assortment of hammers is available. Most are designed for specialized tasks. The shingling hammer (figure A) is a common roofing tool. It has a waffled head and a blade on the back. It also has holes in the rear that are based on a measuring system used in roofing. A mason's hammer (figure B) has a hammer end and a chisel end. It's designed for breaking and shaping bricks. A dry-wall hammer (figure C) is similar to a roofing hammer. It has a notched end to remove nails. The waffled head is wide to reduce the likelihood of breaking through dry-wall paper. It's good for dimpling the paper in preparation for applying joint compound. If you need a heavy-duty hammer for pounding stakes into the ground, a hand sledge (figure D) is a good choice. Lots of older tool sets include a ball-peen hammer (figure E), typically used for working metal. A tack hammer (figure F) is used for securing upholstery. Rubber mallets (figure G) are good for sensitive projects because they're not as likely to create dents. If you're building walls, you need a framing hammer (figure H), which has a waffled head and weighs about 22 ounces. Most homeowners have a basic claw hammer (figure I), with a curved claw for removing nails. These hammers are available with either wood or fiberglass handles. Wood handles work well, but fiberglass tends to last longer. Drills are also important for the home workshop. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing one: A hammer drill looks a lot like a standard drill, but it works better for drilling through masonry. When the drill is switched to the hammer setting, it vibrates back and forth for a jackhammer effect. A smaller drill usually has a 3/8" chuck (the part of the drill that holds the bit). This means the largest bit it can hold is 3/8" in diameter. A larger drill can usually handle bits as large as 1/2" in diameter. Most older drills require keys to loosen and tighten the chuck around the bit. Some newer drills offer a keyless chuck option (figure J) that allows users to loosen or tighten the chuck by twisting it.
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