Treadle hammer size questions

[Geoff]

Hello All

I am building a teadle hammer. The anvil is about 75kg and the hammer is about 15 kg. From browsing around the internet there seems to be a big variety to the weight of the hammer. Simple Gade-Marx look-a-like.

Can those who have built and or worked with a treadle hammer please comment of the relative advantages of a lighter or heavier hammer.

I know that the heavier the anvil the better the performance and that the ratio anvil to hammer should be as high as possible. Marc Godbout mentions that his hammer is only about 30lbs (13.5kg) and that gives him faster return on the hammer and so a faster strike rate.

What do the rest of you think?

Thanks Geoff

[ApprenticeMan]

You should have solid for the anvil and ram, is it an in line style hammer or similar to the abana? Anvil to ram ratio should be 10:1 at least, with a 100 pound anvil for a 10 pound ram, but then again if all you are doing is using tooling underneath it, the tubing frame and ram design I used works just as good and easier to get than solid (cheaper too).

[ThomasPowers]

Depends on what you plan to use it for; for me I plan to mainly do tooling work where I would like to use a striker, but don't have one. So I will probably build a fairly light inline version.

For heavy stuff there is a triphammer or my large flypress depending on which would better suit.

I've scrounged a 2.54 cm base plate and a 200+ kg anvil piece and some large I beam for the back vertical. What I really need is to get power to the welder and put it all together!

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by ApprenticeMan

You should have solid for the anvil and ram, is it an in line style hammer or similar to the abana? Anvil to ram ratio should be 10:1 at least, with a 100 pound anvil for a 10 pound ram, but then again if all you are doing is using tooling underneath it, the tubing frame and ram design I used works just as good and easier to get than solid (cheaper too).

Thanks ApprenticeMan

The anvil and ram are solid. I'll take some picture on the weekend. I am going to do a variety of stuff with it but will try add some weight to the anvil to get the ratio up. All of the material is scrounged except for the bushings and nuts and bolts.

[Marc]

The other thing about a lighter hammer is when using tools. There's more control with chisels, veiners, etc. But my 30+lb hammer still has enough hit to draw down thicker stock quicker than by hand.

But if you're looking to work heavy stuff most of the time, I believe the spare tire power hammer would be the way to go. Lots of scrounge opportunity.

[Geoff]

Hi Marc

I am already on the scrounge for the parts for the pare timre hammer. I have the anvil and some other bits. Lots more scrounging to do.

Thank you for the comments on the treadle hammer. I am happier now with what I am going to finish. The lighter hammer will be better for the stuff that I want to use it for. I'll build the tire hammer when I need something bigger for production type work. Not there yet only get a few hours in the workshop on weekends these days.

[HWooldridge]

I built mine to the old original ABANA plans. The head is 65 lbs (lead filled) and returns as quickly as I want it to. The anvil is a piece of 4x6 heavy wall tubing filled with concrete so I don't know what it weighs but I'm sure it's not 650 lbs (10:1 ratio). I have used this treadle hammer for over 15 years with no complaints.

[ApprenticeMan]

Originally Posted by Geoff

Thanks ApprenticeMan

The anvil and ram are solid. I'll take some picture on the weekend. I am going to do a variety of stuff with it but will try add some weight to the anvil to get the ratio up. All of the material is scrounged except for the bushings and nuts and bolts.

You are ten steps ahead of the game! Also notice the location of the linkage on the upper swingarm, the springs are attached back on the end, and the actuator connection point is close to the center pivot. That way the springs balance the other end connected to the ram, so you can keep the connection close to the pivot, getting more work done for less energy expended. Roughly for every 1 inch my foot moves the pedal down, the ram moves 2 inches down.

[Geoff]

Here is a picture of the hammer. Took a lot of scrounging through my store (junk pile) for all the bits and pieces for the linkages. There is still some finishing to do.

I have to make the tools for it as well but the hammer is basically finished. Took about 20 hours to build. If I had used new materials it would have taken less time.

It was a fun project.

[ApprenticeMan]

Interesting!!!! How high do you have to lift your leg though Geoff? it looks very very good great job! Can you take some more pictures? I never get tired of pictures of hammers of any type .