ajclay

To do a good job with the lead right it’s a lot more trouble than it’s worth (not to mention even if you’re getting the lead for free your still melting down a couple hundred pound of lead and breathing all those fumes). Air hammers aren’t cheap to build because you can only cut so many corners. The anvil is one of those corners. The head of an air hammers spends very little time in contact with the anvil. So that quick return of energy provided by a steel anvil is that much more important to the overall power of the hammer. On the other hand a dead anvil sucks when you’re the one swinging the hammer, but if you are not worried about having the power to forge big stock under this little hammer then a dead anvil might not be such a bad thing. After all you can forge on a rock; it’s just not any fun.
I think you would be better off with as many inches of solid steel directly under the bottom die, and then just use something inexpensive like sand to add the weight you need to keep the hammer stable.

If you use heavy wall tube thats near 8 with 2.5 wall you would be looking at around a 3 hole in the middle, I would think about the possibility of a power hammer with a hardy hole right in the center of the anvil, could be pretty nice for certain operations

Nakedanvil,

Lets take the lead out of the picture. I saw some heavy tubing yesterday... must of be 8in in dia and must of had 2.5in wall thickness. Not to big of a hole in center. Weld a thick top plate over the end. That wouldn't work as an anvil? The hole in the middle would kill the hammer blow? I'm just asking, I don't have any idea. The top plate wouldn'b be loose..... Thanks, Aj

Salvati,
Thanks for the tip, never head of those guys.... I cheked them out, they have what I need and sell it by the "inch". But it seems I could by it cheeper "new" when it comes to the big stuff.... If anywhere else comes to mind drop a note. Thanks, Aj

Cavala,
Buddy Lenard in Covington, LA told me about a place in Mandiville called P&W Industries. 985-892-2461. They are suppose to have anything and everything, new and used. But, it sure would be nice to find it in my "backyard" as you mentioned. If you turn up any info I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, AJ

[i know a scrap steel guy in Livingston parish that could help you. I'll try and find his contact info and get back to ya.]

Macbruce,
I've been on the same quest as you. All I can turn up is new solid material here in Baton Rouge which sells for about 65cents a pound. I have found a lot of heavy walled tubing/pipe and was thinking of doing the same. I'm thinking of filling the tubing with any and all long solid scrap I could put my hands on.. I've seen some re-bar that would work great... Then the voids that are left pour lead in. Find a heavy cap plate 1.25 - 1.5 thick or thicker to weld on top. Then the dies would be bolted to that and help spread the load across the top. Thats got to work. I don't think I'd sweat the voids, and with all the pieces for the lead to stick to I doubt that shrinkage would be a problem. Lead does shrink a lot when it cools..

The ram could be constructed the same way.... We are on the same path.

One more thought.... Lead is heavier than steel.....

What style hammer are you thinking about? I'm going to build one similar to the new style Kinyon air hammer..

What area of the country are you in... you mentioned Ryerson....

AJ


[Has anyone out there ever used molten lead within, say a heavy walled tube to provide anvil mass for a power hammer?
I'm toying with the idea for a machine I'm constructing. It seems plausible.]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to get off of dead center on building a New Style Ron Kinyon Hammer. Materials down hear ( Baton Rouge, LA ) seem to be hard t come by. The solid anvil other than new is tough to find. Salvaged old steel just isn't available. There isn't even a steel yard around that sells old materials. I'd like to find a 7 to 8in dia solid round bar or shaft about 34in long. Does anyone have some material they would like to get rid of? I know shipping is a factor too, but new material here is about .65 per lb. It doesn't take long to spend a few dollars. Thanks for the help and or ideas! AJ

Paul,
Ron send me an e-mail saying that your e-mail address has changed and that you may not take PayPal. I'd like to purchase a set of plans for the new style hammer. It's been a few months since the last post so I'd just like to confirm what you'd like me to do about sending the money.... and also if you have the plans in stock. Thanks for the reply! Aj

ajclay@cox.net
awningandsheetmetalbr.com
AJ Clayton






[send check or money order and return mailing address to:

Paul Branch
1310 - 216th Ave
New Richmond, WI 54017

You can PM me here or email me directly at degrub@frontiernet.net. I will be off line from June 19th through June 27th and I will not be able to respond to PMs or emails.]

JA, Thanks, I was wondering what you filled it with. I guess it really doesn't matter as long as it's heavy.. Tubing is a lot easier to come by than solid stuff that's for sure. Here in Baton Rouge, there just isn't any surpless metal supply places... Nice job!

Hey guy, My name is A.J. Nice looking hammer. I just purchased the same plans and I've been trying to locate materials. Today, I found the I-beams. I already have a piece fo 8x8x1/2 tubing for the main support. I'm not having any luck with the 4x4 solid needed for the ram. Looks like you used tubing? If so, you filled it with steel to get the weight? What size air cylinder did you end up and use, and where did you get it and all the other air parts? Thanks for the help AJ in Baton Rouge...