Industrial Design · Consumer Product
Ti-Elite Framing Hammer
Designed a 16oz titanium framing hammer that consolidates three tools framers rely on — hammer, prybar, and level — into a single ergonomically optimized form. Forward-weighted for greater swing velocity and reduced arm fatigue.
The Problem
Framers interviewed on the job site said the same thing: they wished they had one tool that did the work of three. Framing a home or building requires a hammer, a prybar to manipulate studs, and a level to verify alignment — but nobody makes a tool that integrates all three. The goal was to design one.
Ideation
Sketch exploration worked through dozens of directions — grip geometry, head form, handle curvature, knuckleguard integration. The challenge was combining three distinct functional requirements into a single coherent form that still felt like a hammer. Early concepts explored radically different geometries before converging on a forward-weighted profile with an integrated loop handle.
Feature Integration
The final design integrates four key innovations: an Attitude Adjuster — a built-in prybar function that lets framers manipulate studs without a second tool; three integrated spirit levels that read both plumb and level; a magnetic nail setter for single-handed nail placement; and a forward-weighted ergonomic handle with a fiberglass anti-vibe knuckleguard. At 16oz in titanium, the longer handle increases swing velocity and energy delivery while reducing arm fatigue and carpal tunnel risk.
Final Design
The Ti-Elite replaces three separate tools with one purpose-built instrument. A single hammer that frames, prys, and levels — designed around how framers actually work.