Smash your way through your next demolition project with the new Wilton Bad Ass Sledge Hammer. Seriously, that’s it’s name - Bad Ass Sledge Hammer, or B.A.S.H., for short.

Wilton claims that the BASH has an unbreakable handle. Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that line before. But wait, what’s that? Wilton’s viral marketing video shows the inside of the BASH handle – a core comprised of 6 linked-together steel bars!

A short length below the sledge hammer’s head looks to be padded extra-thick with a grip-like material. Wilton says this is an “anti-vibe” neck, but we imagine that it also serves to further protect the handle from overstrike damage.

The BASH also features a flat head so you can rest it upright, hi-vis color scheme, 8 head weights between 2.5 and 20 lbs, two head hardness options (soft or heavy-duty), several handle lengths, safety plate that prevents separation and flying sledge heads, and a no-slip grip.

I’ve seen wood handles break from overstrikes before, and while I’ve seen fiberglass handles fail before, it usually wasn’t the result of an overstrike. Unbreakable claims aside, I wonder how these hammers feel and handle.

Wilton BASH sledge hammer with short handle

The BASH’s core is not made from solid steel, so I don’t think tool balance or handle weight will be an issue. Excessive vibration may be a concern, but it looks like Wilton covered that angle with dampeners through the handle, which also serve to keep the core bundled together.

Dealer info is available via Wilton’s BASH site.

Wilton BASH Site
Wilton BASH Hammers via Amazon (currently a very limited selection)

Vaughan 19oz Steel Framing Hammer for $9, eligible for Prime or super-saver shipping. (Update: currently sold out from the 3rd party Amazon-fulfilled seller & full price from other sellers.)

General Tools Pocket Precision Screwdriver 24-pack for ~$8 (slight hassle risk in case a single item is mistakenly listing as a bulk pack)

Dewalt DC759KA 18V NiCad Drill for $90 via Lowes through 9/5/11. Note that this is the same drill that has been offered for $90-$100 during the past few holiday shopping season. (Amazon price comparison)

Beta Tools Blowout – we’re not what’s going on here, but every Beta tool that we’ve been keeping an eye out for dropped in price significantly overnight; looks like a clearance to us.

There’s a neat giveaway going on this month over at a Concord Carpenter. The prize is a CF-325 fuel-powered cordless framing nailer, with an MSRP of $399. Entry is quick and easy, and the giveaway ends on August 26th 2011.

Concord Carpenter Paslode Nailer Giveaway

And if you like giveaways, we’ve got a Black & Decker RapidRoller that’s looking for a nice home to help paint!

Nail Jack Nail Puller

The Nail Jack looks like a pair of oversized diagonal cutters that have been bent out of shape by the Incredible Hulk. It definitely looks to offer better gripping ability than a standard fixed-jaw nail puller, and features a hammer tap zone if you need a little help getting the tool around larger or deeply driven nails.

Nail Jack Nail Puller via Amazon

Nail Jack Nail Hunter

The Nail Hunter has a more pointed jaw, and can be used for more precise nail pulling than the Nail Jack. From usage example videos, it looks like the Nail Hunter is a far better choice for smaller fasteners and for reducing the amount of surface damage created when removing nails.

Nail Jack Nail Hunter via Amazon
Nail Jack

Tools:

• Safety Goggles (seriously)
• Nail Puller (We recommend the Vaughan Bear Claw, Shark, and the Dead on Exhumer)
• Dead Blow Mallet or Hammer

Step 1 – Exhaust All Other Options & Clamp it Down

In this photo, a 16d nail is embedded about half-way into a scrap 2×4, and would not budge. The first step was to firmly clamp down the wood. If the wood is otherwise anchored, you can skip this, but it’s always safer to double-check.

Step 2: Set the Nail Puller and Give it a Whack

Set the nail puller’s claw as close to the wood as possible for maximum leverage and range of motion. Using a dead blow hammer or mallet, or a softer-faced hammer (e.g. ball pein), strike the flat face of the nail puller to drive it deeper onto the nail. This allows the nail puller to cut into the nail for some bite.

Step 3: Roll the Nail Puller Back

Roll the nail puller back a bit using its rounded head as a fulcrum. If the nail is still partially embedded in the wood and cannot be easily removed or the nail puller slips, repeat step 2.

Here is where having a few sizes of nail pullers can come in handy. As you can imagine, it is easier to remove larger nails with larger nail pullers.

Step 4: Rejoice

Success!

Cats Paw nail pullers (via Amazon) can also be used in a similar manner, but many prefer the flatter and larger striking surface of the above type of nail puller.

Here’s a video so you can see how quickly and effortlessly I was able to drive in a few nails. I figure that once I get used to the feel and grip of the hammer, I would be able to drive nails even quicker.

About 2 months ago, we wondered what the 2nd generation Craftsman Nextec Hammerhead cordless auto hammer would look like. Well, it looks like we have an answer! As you can see, the G2 Hammerhead features an articulating head that allows it to reach awkward or tighter workspaces with greater ease.

The G2 Hammerhead’s articulating head can be set at 90°, 45°, and 0­° (straight). It operates at 3600 impacts per minute, and can hammer common and finish nails up t o 3.5 inches in length.* It also features a new LED light for illuminating work areas, an electric brake, and a 3-color LED fuel gauge.

Included with the G2 Hammerhead kit will be the new Craftsman NEXTEC QuickBoost Battery Charger, a 12-volt battery, and carrying case.

The G2 Hammerhead is expected to be released in May 2011 with an MSRP of $100.

* As we saw in our auto hammer review, such tools can drive 3.5″ nails, but this is not something we recommend if other options are available.

One of the more innovative of Dewalt’s new hand tools is their 15 oz framing hammer, model DWHT51138. This hammer features an all-steel MIG weld construction and is designed to feel surprisingly light, even when delivering the power needed for most professional wood framing applications.

Ian Harney, Dewalt’s global product manager for hammers and demolition tools, said that using MIG Weld Technology has allowed Dewalt to design the hammer to match the weight of leading titanium hammers, and with the strength and durability required by professionals and end users.

As you can also see from this CopTool photo, Dewalt is very confident about the hammer’s design, highlighting its weight of titanium and strength of steel.

Strength, durability, and less hand and arm fatigue? Sounds great!

Dewalt’s 15oz framing hammer will be priced at $60 and will be available this June.

Word on the street is that Craftsman will soon be releasing a second generation auto hammer, the NECTEC G2 Hammerhead. The original Hammerhead debuted more than two years ago and user reviews have been pretty positive.

Our own experience with Ryobi’s nearly identical auto hammer revealed that the design is underpowered and prone to hand-numbing vibrations when driving larger and longer nails.

We know nothing substantial about the G2 Hammerhead, but with two years of feedback and potential development time, our expectations are high.

Now, will the G2 look like the original Hammerhead, or will it resemble Milwaukee’s palm-nailer design?

Lacking the handle of a traditional hammer, Nupla’s Handi-Hammer is exceptionally well suited for use in compact areas where one may not have much swinging room. Plus, its compact size means that it can be stowed nearly anywhere – a kitchen junk drawer, a small tool box, or a road kit.

The Handi-Hammer is also a dead-blow hammer, so there is little recoil with each strike. I have owned Nupla’s 10 ounce model for a few years now, and it has proven itself to be quite indispensable.

It has mostly come in handy for installation and assembly projects, but I’ve been to known to use it with a breaker bar and socket to show a stuck fastener who’s boss. While an ordinary dead-blow hammer or a rubber mallet could have been used for most of these tasks instead, the Handi-Hammer’s design offers a slightly better feeling and more controlled hits.

The Handi-Hammer also features a non-marring surface on one side, and a steel plate on the other.

Nupla Handi-Hammer 10oz via Sears
Handi-Hammers via Amazon
Product Info via Nupla

We talked a bit about Milwaukee’s new M12 cordless palm nailer last month, but its performance expectations have just been made available. Milwaukee claims that the palm nailer can drive a 16D 3-1/2” nail in under 2 seconds, and up to 100 nails per battery charge. That sounds pretty darn impressive – let’s hope that it can live up to these claims!

Additional specs:

• Specifications (2458-21)
• Fastener Range: 6D-16D
• Blow Energy: 2.2 ft/lbs
• IPM: 2700
• Height: 6.5in
• Length: 7.5in
• Width: 2.5”
• Weight: 3.4lbs
• Kit includes 2458-20 Palm Nailer, (1) M12™ RedLithium Battery, 30 minute charger, and carrying case

Details via Milwaukee

Harry Epstein received a shipment of Vaughan factory seconds under the Grayvik label, and are holding a huge closeout sale. This includes hammers, pry bars, nail pullers and hatchets, all made in the USA.

Jori, a Harry Epstein representative said on a forum that she looked at most of the stuff and the finishes are really nice for seconds. Everything has this shiny clear coat on it, and the wood and fiberglass handles look great.

Vaughan Grayvik Closeout Sale via Harry Epstein

While several of the items caught my eye, I don’t really need new hammers anytime soon. What about you?

We have had a mid-range line of hammers and bars made in Taiwan for about 9 years. We also have a line of high end Japanese pattern bars which are made in Japan.

However, our core line of Estwing tools are made in the USA and that will not change. Over 95% of the tools we sell are made in the USA.

Edit: During a brief trip to the local Home Depot, I spotted the typical steel handled blue grip Estwing hammers, several Vaughan hammers, quite a few Husky ones, a single made-in-Taiwan Estwing framing hammer, and several Japan-made Estwing Pro Claw pry bars.

As part of my shop rebuild, I have been researching and buying several new hand tools for quick use, like my go-to screwdrivers. These tools are intended to be hung on a pegboard for easy access and will be used to perform a variety of tasks, quickly and efficiently. My latest tool acquisition is a Beta shop hammer.

I was looking for a general purpose hammer that could drive a quick nail, perform light metal work, and be easy to hold for metal punch and cold chisel work. After a bit of research I ultimately decided on a Beta #1370/400 engineer’s hammer. Keep reading for my full hands-on review.

First Impressions

My new enginner’s hammer is a fine example of Beta’s manufacturing experience. It feels remarkably balanced in my hand, and the hickory handle is smoothly finished and varnished. The 112mm face hammer’s total length is 12″, which is just right for quick work. At 19.7 ounces, the hammer’s weight is also “just right” for light and easy shop work.

The hammer’s head is machined to close tolerances and close examination revealed no gouges, burrs, or other defects. Its main striking face is approximately 1″ squared and features an even angled bevel around its edges. The opposite end of the head is pointed and tapered to a smooth rounded tip, perfect for shaping sheet metal. Aside from the polished face the hammer head is finished with a flat black coating.

Conclusion

After using my new Beta hammer for two weeks, I couldn’t find any issues or complaints with it. I’ve used it to drive nails, set nail heads, chisel wood, and violently beat up my lawnmower.

I’m quite happy with my new Beta shop hammer. It provides everything I need in a quick, efficient tool that can be used on a moments notice and I expect it to provide many years of service.

This particular hammer (1370/400) is listed at $19 on Amazon, but it’s usually priced a bit less at under $15. If you keep your eye on it, you may be able to snag this size for less during one of Amazon’s short-lived sales.

Beta 1370/400 Engineers Hammer via Amazon
Beta Engineers Hammer Complete Lineup via Amazon
Product Info via Beta

About Beta

Beta Utensili orginates back to the 1880′s in Northern Italy where Alessandro Ciceri founded a metal forge. Today Beta is a highly regarded tool manufacturer with heavy influence in many racing circuits, including F1, Gran Prix, Motocross, Karting, F1 Boat, and even America’s Cup.

Jackson’s Pulverizer is primarily a concrete demolition tool, but it’s multi-purpose enough to use for general demo work. The Pulverizer is 12.8″ long with a 1-1/2″ strike face and hefty 3-1/2 lb total weight.

It also features a wedge for ripping through drywall, claw teeth for gripping and prying, a 2-inch scraper with large nail-puller head, and a textured TPE grip with shock dampenign properties for greater user comfort.

The Pulverizer is priced fairly reasonably at $35.

Jackson Pulverizer Concrete Demo Hammer via Amazon