Standard claw hammers are for wood and nails; using one in an auto shop is dangerous because the hardened face can chip and send steel shards flying. A ball peen hammer is designed specifically for working with metal. The flat face is used to strike punches, chisels, or to drive pins and brackets. The rounded ball end, or peen, is designed to shape rivets, contour metal sheet, or spread the ends of pins. Keep a grip close to the bottom of the handle for maximum leverage and control when swinging.
Mechanic Glossary
Ball Peen Hammer
A hammer with a flat face and a rounded ball-shaped end, used for shaping metal, driving punches, and striking chisels.
Frequently Asked Questions
The "peen" refers to the striking face opposite the main hammer face. The rounded end is ball-shaped, hence "ball peen."
A 16-ounce or 24-ounce hammer is ideal. It has enough mass to drive suspension pins and chassis parts without being too heavy to control.
No. Claw hammers are made of harder, brittle steel that can easily chip, shatter, or spark when struck against another hardened steel tool like a punch.