Blacksmith and Machinist?

[Ed Thomas]

Hollis: The #7 Beaudry is almost finished. I've been saying that for awhile, but today I put the brake pad on and did some final marking for the dies. The only major item left is to heat treat the dies, which is a bit scary because I have so much work in them. I have a pretty nice roomy electric heat treating oven, which I got from an auction for just over $300. It already proved its worth in treating the replacement roller bearing that was bad. I've been making a lot of tooth picks from 2" x 4"s as I do all the adjustments and test the die fitting.

You might remember that the sow block on this hammer was completely buggered up. A previous owner had run it with only a top die... no bottom die! I have no idea what they were doing with the hammer, but it seriously tortured the casting underneath. I had to grind and file over an inch of the block away, and then painstakingly file in the dovetail. If I could have gotten the sow block off, it would have made it a thousand times easier... just shape it up on the Steptoe. But that wasn't happening.

I should have been done years ago, but it never seemed a high priority while the smaller Beaudry was available. But that one is REALLY tired and needs overhauled so I need to quit goofing off and finish the #7... which is a much better machine anyway.

Sorry I didn't answer your question sooner... somehow I missed it!
Ed

[Ed Thomas]

Thomas Powers: Old machinery is still available quite cheaply, as long as you are willing to take stuff that is too large for the weekend 1-car garage tinkerer. The only reason manual machines are starting to get a little more scarce is because scrap prices have gone up enough to make it more worth loading and hauling. With disturbing frequency, the scrap price is higher than anyone is willing to pay for the machines. I got several of mine below scrap prices from people whol couldn't bear the idea of them being melted down and were actually grateful to pass them on to someone who intended to use them.

[HWooldridge]

Originally Posted by Ed Thomas

Hollis: The #7 Beaudry is almost finished. I've been saying that for awhile, but today I put the brake pad on and did some final marking for the dies. The only major item left is to heat treat the dies.


<<Ed, what material did you use to make the dies? Mine are H13 and they were air hardened but I had a tool shop do the heat treat so I wouldn't mess them up.>>


You might remember that the sow block on this hammer was completely buggered up. A previous owner had run it with only a top die... no bottom die! I have no idea what they were doing with the hammer, but it seriously tortured the casting underneath.


<<I saw a 50 lb LG hammer with no bottom die that the owner used to toss an old piece of plate on - half the time, it would bounce around and fall off - was also very noisy. He really had no idea how the hammer was supposed to work.>>


Sorry I didn't answer your question sooner... somehow I missed it!
Ed

Embedded some comments in your note...

[Ed Thomas]

Hollis: The dies are made from S-7. H-13 would probably be an easier heat-treat, but I got a pretty good deal on the steel.

In this case, I don't think anybody used a plate or anything, because you could plainly match the destruction pattern in the sow block with the outline of the top die. My guess is that it was just used to mash and bend things cold.

[HWooldridge]

Ed,

Well, don't forget to post pics when you get it done - I can't wait to see your work.

If I can ask one more question, what did you use for the brake pad?

[Ed Thomas]

Hollis: It shouldn't be long. I can actually see the end! The brake material came from McMaster Carr. It's been so long since I ordered it, I actually don't know which material I chose, but I'm fairly certain it is the non-metallic stuff... look at item# 6175K136 (1/4" x 2") $6.14 per foot. I used their contact cement. I alsoused that to hold the replacement sleeve for the hammer guide, but don't know yet how it will hold up. I will say that having a new brake pad is amazing. That flywheel stops on a dime. I'm running out of dimes proving it.

[ThomasPowers]

Well the cost of the old machines in Detroit area during the peak change over was very little I even heard of a fellow who was paid to haul some away.

Unfortunately I am now in a thinly settled area without much embedded industrial base and used machines tend to be both expensive and extremely worn as well.

Why trips back to the rustbelt are still usefull.

Thomas

[RegionalChaos]

My Dad worked as a tool and die maker for most of his professional career. He's been very pleased to see me pick up a hammer and some hot metal. Though I don't know that he ever worked metal that way. One of my favorite hammers is a very light ballpein that he machined as a gift for my grandfather years and years ago.

[Jim Pennock]

I run a lathe for a living and I have one in my soon to be finished shop at home. Jim

[Dodge]

I have a Harbor Freight mini lathe. Does that count? lol I also have a power hammer. That's a machine! Oh yeah, I forgot about my drill press