Body hammers???

I picked these up a long time ago in a trade. The name says "Craft Tool" which sounds really cheesy and cheap. Well, after RootHawg started a thread on metal working machines and I hijacked it, I thought I'd take another look at these. On the underside, they say "Germany." Being that most tools made in Germany are of a rather high quality, I though I'd ask here if they are worth a hoot.

They have VERY smooth and highly polished faces. I seriously doubt if they've ever been used.

So, are these any good? What are the different ones for?I know a good body man can make apple pie out of dog poop with enough sugar. I know the one has a concaved face and on the other end it has a convex face. I'm sure this is the standard body hammer- like the ones with a pick on the other end.....

I'm asking, because my next project is going to require some body work. I want to learn some. I chickened out on this last one.....

thanks for your help!!

EDIT: yes, petejoe, that is pink carpet!!! i promised the little lady we would remove it when we got married and before we moved in.......we got married and moved in 8 years ago......just like the dishwasher with no sides.....

 

I think I'm alone now.........there doesn't seem to be anyone around......


Wasn't 80's music great!!

 

Not entirely alone... But if you keep singing that song!!!

 

Can't help you with the tool history.
And I collect antique tools, couldn't find any history
.Although normally just woodworking types.
Can't help you on the pink carpet either.
But it does go well with your pink undies.
I had three disfunctional dishwashers when the kids were still at home.
Then they all moved out.

 

I have found information from an old german body coach company that if these are used on VW's the metal will magically straighten with just a wave of the body hammer.

 

That's a *****in' set of hammers! Probably not made for bodywork, maybe other sheet metal work, jewelry???????
There's a lot of different shapes there, great for fabricating, if you know how to use them. Wanna sell them? I collect odd body hammers for all the fab work I do.
If you are a beginner body worker, they are more than you need. I'd recommend just a couple generic shape hammers. A medium heavy flat faced hammer with round on one side, square on the other, and maybe a low crowned lighter one, with a dull pick end on the other end. Just practice your off dolly and on dolly technique with one of them until you have good control.

 

Those look like some kind of blacksmithing hammers.

 

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They're planishing hammers, used for raising , embossing & polishing metals, usually fine metals like silver & gold. Usually known as silversmiths planishing hammers. They're good for certain situations in auto body, but they're made to really move metal & raise bowls, etc.....a guy can make a piece of sheet look like a bag of marbles in a hurry if he isn't careful You won't find much use for them in auto body, but every diff. type of hammer a guy has the better.....being German they're quality & expensive, about $100.00 ea.


Those are good planishing hammers.....I've had a set for 25 years, almost as long since I built my first airmotor planishing hammer.

http://www.lacywest.com/32ham02.htm

The word Planishing in automotive was borrowed from the real use/meaning of planishing that these are for, like before there were cars. These air hammer/motor powered planishing hammers that everyone's on the bandwagon about nowadays for automotive are all Johnny-come-lately compared to the hundreds of years these have been in use.

 

I think it's spelled Craftool not Craft Tool....if I search on e****, I find other stuff they make is used for working leather and like you guys said, jewelry......

well, between the pink carpet and my jewelry tools......i'd say the world is about to end.....

thanks guys...

i don't think i'll sell them, i may consider a trade towards some good quality body tools...

 

Not for body work. They would make good stretching hammers for metalshaping.

Not planishing hammers either. Planish means to smooth while hitting.

I might have a nice body hammer to trade for one of those. Let me know: ghiafab@coastaccess.com I would want to see a quarter next to the hammers to get an idea of the size.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

 

These are called planishing and peening hammers used for metal forming. Primarily for non-ferrous metals. Used a lot to form br*** and copper to a shape. We had the entire set you have there when I was in metal shop in high school.