Smith Studio

Does anyone have any option or input about the Hofi style hammer at Pieh tool co. Compared to others or a "real" hofi? http://www.piehtoolco.com/contents/en-us/d1039.html

Thank you for all of the insight and comments! All of which are very helpful. I do understand the benefit of planning the shop floor space with all equipment in the shop and cutting a hole later, however, I am planning to install in-floor hydronic radiant heat for the shop. So I do need to plan ahead where not to lay water tubing. Frosty, I would love to see a little more about your gozinta grid system and its exhaust capabilities, and would love to see some images! Any quick tips on installing the in-floor heat? do you use water or anti-freez? So I am planning to pour separate a 15' x 15' or so concrete slab that is a little thicker (5"-6") than the rest and with out in-floor tubing. This separate (unheated) slab will be designated for forging and is where I will set the hammer and other anvils. By the way, I am planning to get an Iron Kiss 100. According to the Iron Kiss maker, John Larson, the Iron Kiss has such a heavy anvil weight that extra concrete in the floor is not usually necessary. This will be the only power hammer in the shop. Thanks again for all of the input. I will make certain to pay close attention to compacting the sub-base!

Thanks again for all of the input. I am pretty sure that I have decided that the Iron Kiss will meet the demands of my space and working process the best. Although I got very close to planning a trip up to Spokane, I've decided to spend a little more on the hammer that I feel fits absolutely best to my situation, which is the utility hammer and the Iron Kiss. Thank you very much though Monster Metal, for the Say-mak contact. I did not call Bill, but I will keep the number on close file as that would be my plan B. I have decided to go with the Iron Kiss 100 (20:1). Now I just need to talk to Kayne & Son to see how soon I can get one ordered and shipped to the Rocky Mountain West. I did talk to both John Larson and David Kayne on the phone today. Both exceptionally good and helpful guys to talk to. They also both mentioned that I should talk to Grant Saver as someone with some expertise on the subject! Thanks again for all of the help and comments. I will try to post some images once I finish building shop and actually get the hammer on the floor.

Wow! this forum is a fantastic and valuable source for information. All of these comments have been a huge help. Thank you! Monster Metal, how would I contact the possible Say Mak up for sale in Spokane? (my best email is joshuaraysmith@gmail.com) I had come across Iron Kiss in some of my research 6 months ago, but did not do enough follow up research. After looking around at reviews, testimony, and examples my interest has peaked quite extremely in the Iron Kiss. I love that they are designed and fabricated in the U.S. I am currently in need of a compressor update for sandblasting and plasma cutting demands, so the utility hammer is pretty attractive right now. However Oregon is a lot closer to me than Maryland, to ship or pick up a hammer! So self-contained or separate compressor aside, is the Say Mak 50 and the Iron Kiss 100 (20:1) pretty comparable preforming hammers? And another side question: has any one had any experience ordering the Iron Kiss 100 sold exclusively through Blacksmith's Depot? I also realize that I should do a little more looking in to Anyang as well! Factoring in versatility, control, power, and then cost and shipping (considering i live in the middle of nowhere) will all be considerations and I will keep you all posted on the final out come. Again I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the input. Thanks!

I have just recently relocated my ironwork and fabrication business back to my family ranch in Wyoming, where I grew up. I am re-setting up the entire shop and enterprise. I am planning to purchase my first power hammer for the business. Along with sculpture, I produce ironwork from furniture to architectural elements, gates, and rails. I am currently renovating a huge steel barn into my new shop (built from salvaged power plant tank steel, built by my father a welder/boiler-maker). The floor is currently gravel, so I am in the process of excavating the interior floor and planning to pour a concrete pad floor. Since I will be pouring a completely new floor are there any suggestions or recommendations on laying out the concrete pad that will be under the new power hammer? Any input would be greatly appreciated! thank you.

I have just recently relocated my ironwork and fabrication business back to my family ranch in Wyoming, where I grew up. I am re-setting up the entire shop and enterprise. I am planning to purchase my first power hammer. Along with sculpture, I produce ironwork: from furniture to architectural elements, gates, and rails. This will be the only power hammer on the premises, so versatility and control are my biggest criterion. Since last December I have been researching and keeping an ear out for good air-hammer reviews. I had pretty much settled on buying and picking up one of Tom Clark's Say-Maks (SPH-50) within the next one or two months. I just called the number from the Ozark tool website to realize that it was a disconnected number. My questions are: 1. realizing that the Ozark School of Blacksmithing has gone out of business, is the Ozark heavy tool/ Say-Mak hammers still in business? and if so is there a different phone number than 573.438.4725 to buy a Say-Mak? 2. I had my hammer purchase choices down to the SPH-50 (110lb.) Sak-Mak as a self contained hammer OR a Phoenix hammer needing auxiliary compressor, which I would need to also purchase, but could really use an air compressor update in the shop anyway. Any comments between the two hammers? or between a self-contained hammer or a Phoenix and/or Big Blue? Any input would be greatly appreciated! thank you.