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Treadle hammer pros and cons?


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I am thinking of building a treadle hammer, and I would like to hear the good bad and ugly about them. I have all I need to make the treadle, but I would need to invest a few dollars to make a power hammer. As a hobby blacksmith is it worth it the time and money to build a power hammer or will a treadle be good enough? 

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for what? they both move metal, so does a hand hammer.    If you are moving 12inch rounds like some of the members here, you will want a very large power hammer. If you are making key chain leaves, not so much.  Its a hard question with out knowing the intended use.

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One down side to a treadle hammer would be floor space lost. I have a treadle hammer and have been very please with it. I also have a small power hammer but I have a shop with 1800 sq feet.

If I only had 100 sq feet I would probably get ride of the treadle hammer. I know a hand full of smiths that have small shops and must plan very carefully for equipment

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The strongest argument for a treadle hammer is that if you work alone it gives you the benefit of an extra pair of hands; I make lots of things using the treadle hammer that I simply could not do without it.

 

Obviously it is cheaper to build than a power hammer - I didn't build mine - but they are very different tools in what they enable you to do: a treadle hammer can - to a degree - replace a striker, while a power hammer opens up a whole new range of possibilities, you'll get expert opinion from somebody on here.

 

I don't want / need a power hammer because I don't make stuff that requires one, I did need a treadle hammer because a lot of the stuff I make would require a striker, which I rarely have access to.

 

I'm not worried about the space my treadle takes up, maybe 1' x 3', even though my whole work area is just 7' x 15' I fit it in with a forge, bosh, anvil, leg-vice, small table, swage block, floor mandrel, tool / stock shelves + racks and a tyre-bender. My point being that you make room and work around + with things as you have to.

 

I'm an amateur whose hobby just about pays for itself, so I guess that the pro's on here will very likely have different views to me but, overall, the treadle hammer is a tool I would never want to give up unless I had a striker on call whenever needed.

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A treadle hammer approximates a striker with a sledge; a power hammer is good for drawing and repetitive work. Both can be tooled for special work, such as swaging or bending. Each has its advantages but I would probably build a treadle before a PH, given the choice, in a home shop.

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Greetings Teach,

 

You are asking a question which you will get a lot of different views...  Each piece of equipment has its place...  It all depends on the work you wish to accomplish.   If you are going to be drawing out bars a lot you will need a power hammer ..  Detail work , punching, cutting. repousse, chase, you will want a treadle hammer..   I have 3 treadle hammers and 3 power hammers.   If I just could only have only one it would be the treadle hammer based on the work that I do now...  I suggest if that if you start with a treadle hammer and if it does not fill your expectations they are easy to sell than move up to power..  Good luck

 

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

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Clearly, by all the comments, they both are good for different projects.  I work by myself, and I only have a power hammer.  To me, the power hammer is so much fun, I love using it and try to find project that require a power hammer somewhere in the process.  Good luck. 

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A treadle hammer is not a power hammer and a power hammer is not a treadle hammer, but then a 3 pound hammer is not a 10 pound sledge hammer and a 10 pound sledge hammer in not a 3 pound hand hammer.  You may be able to accomplish the project with the wrong tool but it is best to use the correct tool for the correct job.  I have both and use both and would not be without either.

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If you would like to see an Iron Kiss power hammer being used for treadle hammer single blow work take a look on youtube at jcl10000.  Just a thought provoker and not an advertisement.  You can also look into the late Grant Sarver's Naked Anvil youtube videos where he shows a unique treadle hammer.

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When I first started out, the treadle hammer is the first piece of equipment I made and could afford. I used it a lot for the first couple of years. Now I have 3 power hammers, fly press, and a hydraulic press and now it just sits and looks pretty. It does get used at open forges I host. When my boys were young they loved to use it for a can crusher.

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I took a course by Mark Aspery, he said he would never own a treadle hammer, he believes they are inherently unsafe, and he uses a fly press instead. I could not get him to elaborate, Now Mark and Mindy Gardner do incredible stuff on a treadle. I have one just don't use it much yet. But I will, I will!

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I took a course by Mark Aspery, he said he would never own a treadle hammer, he believes they are inherently unsafe, and he uses a fly press instead. I could not get him to elaborate, Now Mark and Mindy Gardner do incredible stuff on a treadle. I have one just don't use it much yet. But I will, I will!


I'm speculating here but he is probably concerned with the head coming off due to bad construction or design. It is also easy to develop the bad habit of putting a hand under the head and getting mashed. Either objection can be overcome with proper assembly and training for use.

A fly press is a great tool, as is a power hammer, as is a treadle hammer (especially in a one person shop). It's nice to be able to have at least one of each.
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Greetings HW , Thank you for the tip on using the treadle hammer for a can crusher . I will add that to my list of 1257 other things that i can do on the hammer . Spend a day in my shop and I ll bet you will dust it off and use it. Stomp on and make beautiful things Jim

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Hello everyone. I don't post much at all, I just read and learn. To much your opinion is better than the other. I just stay out of it and take what i learn to the anvil. But when your right your right. Just be nice about it, you don't have to put the other person down or degrade them. I spent 4 hrs. in Jim Cokes shop today (Thanks a million Jim) and by the end of this summer i'll have a treadle in my little one man shop. We didn't spend much time on the treadle but what he showed me was worth a treadles wheight gold. I can see where a treadle just makes things simpler and easier.

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Greetings HW , Thank you for the tip on using the treadle hammer for a can crusher . I will add that to my list of 1257 other things that i can do on the hammer . Spend a day in my shop and I ll bet you will dust it off and use it. Stomp on and make beautiful things Jim


No problem Jim! I still use it from time to time, especially when I need some quick. I am actually thinking of taking it up north this year along with my 25 lb Little Giant for my new shop.
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I just finished my treadle hammer last summer. And I love it! The build is posted here. If I were to do it again i would build the inline version rather than the swing type like I did. As far as pros and cons I really can't answer that, but I can tell you that if you work alone like I do, then the treadle is the greatest assistant for punching, drifting, chisel work, and cutting. I would also say that it may make these processes safer. Did I mention that I love my treadle hammer!?!

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