What is a Ball Peen Hammer Used For? Ball Peen Hammer Uses & Functions (With Videos)

A ball peen hammer is a common tool used in all types of traditional forging. This type of hammer is characterized by its ball-shaped peen.

Let’s take a look at what ball peen hammers are used for in various smithing situations.

A Handy Tool at the Forge

While ball peen hammers are not required for most blacksmithing projects, they are handy tools to have in your workshop.

If you are a new smith with few tools, you can use a heavy ball peen hammer as your main forging hammer. The flat face is appropriate for most beginner level projects and you should have no problem using the flat face to work a variety of techniques.

This is especially helpful for beginners because ball peen hammers are easy to find and are affordable, which we will discuss further below. 

Sizes, Weights, and Where to Find One

Ball peen hammers are made in a range of sizes and weights, from around 8 ounces to 2 or 3 pounds. If you are using a ball peen hammer as your main tool, make sure to buy a heavy one.

Ball peen hammers are easy to find at low prices. Most yard sales and flea markets will have a few to choose from. You can also find them at hardware stores and online if you are willing to pay full price.

If you are a blacksmith, consider making your own ball peen hammer. There are plenty of tutorials for this online, and we have included a good one in this article. 

Uses in Blacksmithing, Silversmithing, and Coppersmithing

This type of hammer is definitely not required in the workshop, but is handy to have for spreading metal quickly and evenly.

If you predict that you will do this type of work often, a ball peen hammer might be a worthwhile investment, especially since these hammers are generally easy and affordable to acquire. 

Another job fit for a ball peen hammer is dishing out metal using a swage. The rounded peen allows the hammer to fit well into a small swage, but may leave hammer marks.

Ball peen hammers can also be used for spreading out rivets, but this can be done without one.

Typically, blacksmiths shouldn’t use ball peen hammers to create a hammered texture on the surface of their work. This type of finish is not characteristic of blacksmithing and is unnecessary.

It’s worth noting that you will use a ball peen hammer far more if you are a silversmith or coppersmith. Blacksmiths work with harder metal and usually seek to leave as few hammer marks on their finished work as possible. 

Those working with soft metals like silver and copper can utilize a ball peen hammer to achieve a decorative texture on the surface of their finished product.

Ball Peen Hammer Tutorials for Silversmiths, Coppersmiths, and Blacksmiths

Ball peen hammers have a few uses depending on your style of smithing. These video tutorials show how to incorporate a ball peen hammer into silversmithing and coppersmithing projects. For blacksmiths, a tutorial is included on how to make your own ball peen hammer. 

1) Hammered Sterling Silver Ring

This tutorial shows a ball peen hammer being used to create a beautiful texture on the surface of a ring. Begin by cutting a piece of sterling silver to a manageable size. 

Measure the strip of silver for your desired ring size, score the metal, and cut to the right length. File down the silver to remove any sharp edges. 

Hammer the silver strip around a mandrel to form into a ring. Close the seam of the ring up with pliers to ensure an even join. Solder the ring seam as shown in the video or using your preferred soldering method. 

Place the ring in on a mandrel again and hammer to even out the shape. Polish the surface of the ring as shown and brush with a wire brush. 

Grind the surface of the ring to a shine. Then place it on a mandrel and use a ball peen hammer to add texture to the ring’s surface. Work evenly around the ring and take your time to get the desired effect. 

Clean up the inside ring in the same manner as the outside. Then place the ring in a jewelry tumbler to finish. 

2) Hammered Copper Coffee Scoop

Start this coppersmithing project with a small piece of round copper. You can make your coffee scoop any size you want. Hammer the piece on a hollowed out surface. The tutorial shows this process being completed on a hollowed out log. 

This will create a scooped shape. Use a ball peen hammer or hammer with a similarly shaped peen to create an even texture on the surface of the scoop. Work carefully around the scoop to ensure an even, round shape. 

Even out the edge of the scoop as shown in the video. Attach the scoop to a handle to finish this project. 

3) Forging a Ball Peen Hammer 

Blacksmiths can make their own ball peen hammers using the process shown in this tutorial. Cut a round bar down to size and heat in your forge. 

Use a power hammer to press the head of the hammer into shape. Forge the eye of the hammer as shown and create the hammer faces. 

Make one side into the round shape of a ball. Reheat as needed to refine the shape. Let cool and grind the surface, rounding the ball-shaped side of the hammer into an even peen. Let cool and grind the faces of the hammer. 

Heat and quench the hammer, then temper in the oven. Grind the hammer again. Make a handle as shown in the tutorial or use one already made. Attach the hammer head to the handle and finish the handle with a product of your choice. 

More Information

For more in-depth commentary and a smithing demonstration using a ball peen hammer, check out this video by Black Bear Forge.