How not to build a power hammer

[Mark Parkinson]

First; spend months online going over just about every article and picture of power hammers. (note) Using translation programs for the non-english sites will just confuse you.... just look at the pretty pictures.

Second; spend a couple of weeks designing and drawing with exact dimentions the hammer you have decided to build. (note) when you go to the metal supplier to purchase this list it gets torn up in horror, and you imediately drive to the scrap yard and load up approx 500# of assorted parts @ .10 a #

Third; decide that cutting any of this metal will need more than a 14" chop saw or a 4.5" grinder with a thin cut blade...result-one 5" swivel head horizontal bandsaw (note) although tool accumilation is good ....it would have been cheaper to buy the metal from the first supplier

Forth; say to ^*@% with it and start winging it

ah to heck with the numbers

some pics of the build so far... I have no idea what the axle came off but the domed flange area works well to bolt it down

the spline end cut off will come in useful sometime I'm sure...I will update this post as I go, that way someone can hopefully learn from my mistakes.

[teknition]

Looks like you are going in the right direction Mark.

I know exactly what you mean, one of the fastest ways to lighten your wallet is to go to a steel supplier and do some shopping

Thats a nice little saw you picked up and im sure you will find it one of the more handy tools to have. A horizontal /verticle metal band saw is on my list of tools I "need"

The splined end of the axle would make a dandy chunk of steel to forge some dies from if you forge and grind them to shape.

You are doing a great job so far keep up the good work and be sure to post some progress pics, im sure there will be lots of interest in this thread once everyone sees it's here.

[Feukair]

Mark, what design of hammer r u building? Is it a air hammer or a wheel driven one like a tire hammer or one with the long arm at the top that will swing up and down?

Lt

[Mark Parkinson]

its a spring helve...aka rusty/dusty/krusty with modifications as I go...next one will be air

[rods8833]

looks great , hope it runs like a champ when done.

[ApprenticeMan]

WOW Mark, looks like you got it going pretty good!

[bipolarandy]

Dang, I would say thats exactly how to build a hammer.

You've given me hope mark

-Andrei

[ApprenticeMan]

Originally Posted by Mark Parkinson

its a spring helve...aka rusty/dusty/krusty with modifications as I go...next one will be air

Mark, if you are looking for the pulleys, or motors, or anything else needed for the drive system, check out this site:


Your Place For- Electric AC Motors ,DC Motors ,V-Belts, Draft Inducer Motors, Fan Motors, GE Motors, Fasco Motors, Trane Motors, Condenser Motors, Blower Motors, Compressor Motors, Furnace Motors, Air Conditioning Motors and more.



they have from 1 or 2 inch on up to 18 or 20 inch V belt pulleys!

[Mark Parkinson]

Apprenticeman; thankyou for the information I do have them sourced already I have a Princess Auto store just 15 minutes from my home, and they have the pulleys I need (cheap)

[JerryCarroll]

I just finished building a hammer based on the rusty plans. Like you Mark, I made my own modifications--especially on the drive. I used the doughnut tire/pulley-on-the motor application. I have about $50 invested and a lot of time but the results are pleasing. The old 1 hp motor will soon be relaced with a new one that runs at one speed making it more efficent. For the pulley I made a flange to fit the 3/4" motor shaft and used oak to make the drive wheel--6" dia. It's running about 180+ hits a minute and after getting things ballanced is a pleasure to use. Pictures are available.