BAbsher

I make tools for the local Limestone Mills, normally S-7, forge in one heat, or machine the edge and silver solder carbide.

I have a pit, 3.5' deep concrete, and a double stack of solid oak beams 8"x8"x2 at 5' long, gives me a 16" oak base, this comes roughly 1" above the finish floor level. This is for a #7

Recently, there has been some off-line discussion about Beaudry-specific foundation requirements. The experience of Beaudry-owners in preparing a hammer for use is probably worth posting here, so please chime in with your own experience (not hearsay, please).

The original Beaudry foundation description and blueprints are rather impressive, including concrete, end-grain white oak posts, and substantial excavation. I no longer have those plans, but decided to use a simple reinforced concrete block about 3 feet deep and squared larger than the hammer footprint... a 200 pound #7.

For my hammer in progress, a 300 pound #40, I intend to go about the same depth... or until I run out of dirt.

My #7 seems to be fine on a sheet of plywood, but the #3 seemed better on some 2" yellow pine. The height of the anvil/bottom die on the #7 seems a decent working height... maybe could add up to 2" for my taste. The #40 will be fine without any elevation.

This is not in my "pounding out the profits" book, and appears to be a "planishing" hammer, [forgive the spelling', looks good for sheet metal.
Bryan