Site Hammers, Sledgehammers and Chisels: How to Choose
Hammer, sledgehammer, club hammer and chisel: what each one does
On a building site you strike in many different ways, and each tool is designed for one of them. Hammers drive and pull nails, or adjust parts. Sledgehammers have a heavy head for demolition. Club hammers are lighter and are used mainly to strike chisels and cold chisels when cutting chases. Chisels, cold chisels and point chisels are the tools that get struck, and mattocks and pickaxes are for breaking up walls, stone or ground. In the Bellota range you will find all these families, with beech wood or carbon fibre handles.
Demolition sledgehammers: how to choose the weight
The Bellota 5200 demolition sledgehammer is used to knock down a partition wall, break up concrete or drive in stakes. It comes in six weights, with heads from 1,890 to 7,265 g (2.2 to 8.12 kg for the complete tool) and handles from 60 to 90 cm. The heavier it is, the more energy per blow, but also the more tiring, so choose according to how hard the job is and how long you will be striking.
There are also versions with a carbon fibre handle (5200CFN), with heads from 3 to 6 kg and side grooves that improve grip even with gloves. And the 5200HRCCFN has an untempered forged steel head, designed for striking hard materials with less risk of chipping.
Club hammers: the chisel's partner
The Spanish club hammer Bellota 5308 is the traditional tool for cutting chases with a chisel or cold chisel. It comes in three head weights (700 g, 1 kg and 1.3 kg) with handles from 26 to 28 cm, and the head is secured to the handle with a patented fibreglass wedge. The range also includes square, stone and stonemason's club hammers.
For tiling, things are different: the white rubber mallet Bellota 8054 has an isoprene rubber head and does not mark ceramic. It comes with heads of 250, 500 and 750 g. If you want to see the rest of the equipment for laying tiles, we have a guide to tile tools and tile cutters. And for striking parts without leaving a mark there is the nylon-faced hammer 8050, with faces from 25 to 44 mm and replacement faces BB8050.
Chisels, cold chisels and point chisels
All of these are made from chrome vanadium steel, with induction-hardened striking areas and different heat treatment on the head (less risk of chipping), the tip (longer life) and the body (less vibration). The octagonal chisel 5825 comes in eleven sizes, from 200 to 400 mm in length, and its octagonal section stops it from turning in your hand. The Bellota 8251CPN cold chisel cuts chases, removes concrete residue or cuts sheet metal cold; it comes in four lengths, from 250 to 400 mm, with a 25 mm edge. For chipping and cleaning large surfaces, the wide-blade chisel 8271CPN measures 230 mm and has edges of 60 or 80 mm. The octagonal point chisel 5821 completes the family for working stone.
The CPN versions include a hand guard that prevents you from hitting your hand, and there is also a separate two-lip guard (M82512512BIMN) for cold chisels and chisels with a 25 x 12 mm section.
Site hammers: formwork, carpenter's and more
For assembling and dismantling formwork, the Bellota 8017 formwork hammer has a forged steel head with claws and a 45 cm beech handle that gives reach and power. It comes in five weights, from 245 to 590 g, and the 245 and 310 g versions (CI) include a magnet that holds the nail. If you prefer a carpenter's hammer, the 8002 has claws and comes in four sizes, from 13 to 24 oz (350 to 660 g head weight). The range also includes engineer's and cabinetmaker's hammers, as well as the Mallorcan and German axe-type hammers.
Mattocks and pickaxes for breaking up
The Bellota 5933 pick-and-spade mattock concentrates force in the pick to break hard coatings, while the spade clears and cleans: it is a common tool for breaking up walls in renovations. It comes with heads of 360, 465 and 620 g and an oval handle, which directs the blow and stops the head from turning. For breaking up stone and digging trenches there is the forged pickaxe 5001CM, with a 2 kg or 2.5 kg head.
Beech wood or carbon fibre handle
The PEFC-certified beech wood handle absorbs part of the vibration and is comfortable in the hand. The carbon fibre handle is, according to the datasheet for the 5200CFN sledgehammer, stronger and more ergonomic than a conventional one, and has non-slip side grooves. In both cases it is worth checking how the head is attached: the datasheets mention a patented fibreglass wedge or a tapered fitting with a guaranteed connection.
Safety and maintenance
Before starting, check that the head is secure and that the handle is not splintered or damaged. Wear safety glasses and gloves. With chisels and cold chisels, use a model with a hand guard or add a separate one.
Frequently asked questions
What weight of sledgehammer do I need to knock down a partition wall?
Choose according to how hard the job is: the heavier it is, the more energy per blow, but also the more tiring. The Bellota 5200 sledgehammer comes in six weights, from 2 to 8 kg, and is used to knock down a partition wall, break up concrete or drive in stakes.
Which club hammer is used with a chisel or cold chisel?
A bricklayer's club hammer, such as the Spanish Bellota 5308, is the traditional tool for cutting chases with a chisel or cold chisel. It comes with heads of 700 g, 1 kg and 1.3 kg.
What is the hand guard on a cold chisel for?
It prevents you from hitting your hand with the club hammer. The CPN models, such as the 8251CPN cold chisel, include it, and there is a separate two-lip guard for cold chisels and chisels with a 25 x 12 mm section.
Which hammer should I use for tiling without marking the ceramic?
A rubber mallet, such as the Bellota 8054, whose isoprene rubber head does not mark ceramic. It comes with heads of 250, 500 and 750 g.
Wooden or carbon fibre handle?
Both are fine. PEFC beech wood absorbs part of the vibration; carbon fibre is, according to the datasheet for the 5200CFN sledgehammer, stronger and more ergonomic than a conventional handle and adds non-slip side grooves.
Find the full catalogue in the hammers, sledgehammers and chisels collection.
