Magnetic Tack Hammers - Why The Split?

I'm guessing #1

Someone smarter than us will be along presently to tell us.

I think all 3 of your assumptions make sense.

The magnetism in anything is subject to demagnetization by impacts, though it may be very slight, but the magnet material used in tack hammers also has to be made tough by proper tempering, and that material quality is not particularly conducive to making a good magnet. I would suppose that tack hammer manufacturers settle for a design that's a compromise among choices of ferromagnetic metal, toughness/hardness, and functionality.

You might be surprised at the number of purpose made hammers out there. The split in a tack hammer can pull out an errent tack (i'm assuming blue steel) before it's driven 'home', and can also 'spot' a tack to be struck buy another hammer, though usually the tacks were held in the mouth and transfered to the magnetic head for a double tap. The hammers magnetic quality could be freshend by striking it with another hammer. OSHA wasn't around when my Dad showed me this, when I was about 10 years old. He told me he quit that job b/c he saw a guy swallow his tacks after he hit himself w/ the tack. Ouch!

Is the split in the back of the head of the hammer to act as a claw for removing bent tacks half way in?

If its similar to my hammer the split is also for holding the finish nail or tack so you don't smash your fingers while trying to hit the tiny little thing.

Here's a picture:

The split end of the head is decidedly for setting a tack, no question there. It is shaped such that it wouldn't work for a claw.

The question is... why the split? Why not just a solid magnetized head on this end? I'm sure it must have something to do with the performance of the magnet, I just don't know specifically what this accomplishes.

An interesting question that I pondered almost everytime I picked up a tack hammer.

I would assume #1 because of the way I could make a small brad vibrate when placed as close to center as I could get it on the split end.

Seems this is one of life's mysterys and one that a long ago tool guru decided was best, but his why was lost to future generations.

I don't think any one that answered it's for pulling tacks out has ever used a hammer of any sort. It's the hardest thing to try to use for that purpose. It would be easier to use your teeth. I do not know the answer.

However, it is a great thing to ask and I applaud you for the asking the question Barkels.

yeah, It's not that strong of a magnet

Perfect. That's exactly what I was looking for.

I did a search before posting and wasn't able to find the patent info.

GA to ya!

Hello power2thepeople,

Your answer is the correct one of course, but I found from experience that small staples, (the type that are used for nailing chicken wire to wood), can be placed in the split if it was just slightly enlarged enough to accept the staple and deep enough to prevent it from turning as you swing the hammer. This little modification helps to prevent those nasty little blood blisters that somehow manage to show up on the end of your thumb and fore finger. DON'T YOU KNOW!

TooMuchFun