How to Keep Planishing Hammer from Dissolving Thumbs?

Sheet Metal Fabrication techniques, questions and help. "Tricks of the Trade"

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SteveHGraham
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Location: Florida

How to Keep Planishing Hammer from Dissolving Thumbs?

Post by SteveHGraham »

I just bought a planishing hammer because Harbor Freight was willing to give it to me for $68. That is my justification. I don't need it. I don't really have plans for it. I have hopes of making a motorcycle fender one day, but mainly...$68.

I am planning to move soon, so I don't intend to use the hammer much in the coming month, but I felt I should assemble it and turn it on, just to make sure it works. It has no problems, unless you count dancing around the garage because I have not filled the frame with sand. I think I'm going to box it back up for the move.

I turned a piece of thin aluminum (only sheet metal I had) into a concave piece of thin aluminum. I already have a question: how do you keep a planishing hammer from vibrating your fingers out of their sockets? I can barely feel my thumbs. It seems like it helps to push the work down against the anvil while you work it.
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06 23 17 aluminum smashed with planishing hammer small.jpg
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
shorttrackhack
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Location: SoCal

Re: How to Keep Planishing Hammer from Dissolving Thumbs?

Post by shorttrackhack »

That is planishing hammer, not to be confused with a power hammer. A power hammer would have left you with missing thumbs, instead of sore ones.
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SteveHGraham
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Re: How to Keep Planishing Hammer from Dissolving Thumbs?

Post by SteveHGraham »

It's fun to play with but I am going to need to find instruction on technique.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
Magicniner
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Re: How to Keep Planishing Hammer from Dissolving Thumbs?

Post by Magicniner »

Thick gloves with plenty of padding reduces the effect of vibration on the hands.
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