David Browne

Good to have you back Larry. The IFI world is now again rotating properly on its axis... -DB

Michael, The design is really shaping up nicely. I like this version of the leaves. I know what you mean about parties. I need to have two gates finished for my current clients' 60th birthday party on the 27th. Food, drinks and a band at his house overlooking San Diego bay. He stopped by the shop last week to give me an invitation to the party. The invitation has a disclaimer that reads "if the gates are not completed before the 27th, this invitation is invalid". DB

That's really nice Michael. Is that a Dillon design?

Frosty the Lucky, What a close call you had. It's great to hear you're on the mend and able to get back out into the shop. I'm sure that will be the best medicine for you. Thanks for the additional photos, too. I think you just might live in paradise. I grew up in Boise, Idaho surrounded by mountains and have eaten Elk, Deer, Bear and all manner of fish and fowl, but never got around to moose. Thanks for the invite. If I ever make it up there to God's country, I'll look you up. PS, I think it's time to trim those toenails... -DB

Congratulations on your new hammer, Mike. I'm glad everything worked out. Now you're really gonna have some fun... -DB

Larry- Your estimate was right on the money. It was a little tight in there (and oily!!!), but belts changed. The old ones were really shot (take a look). The motor pulley was completely out of alignment as well. Just for kicks, I'm gonna borrow my buddies amp clamp and test amp draw under load when I get a chance. I'm curious... Plain Old Bill- I used the old nylocks again, but I made sure to put on some loctite. -DB

I use Blue and Red. They just work.

***The hammer is sold*** Brent will be delivering it this week to the new owner in Tuscon before heading to the SWABA/AABA Conference in Las Cruces this weekend. -DB

Andrew, Oil mist inhalation, huh?...that must be an air hammer thing. I can't wait. I'm more accustomed to burning bar oil inhalation (I guess I'm old fashioned). I'll give a full report after I get some mileage on the hammer. -DB

OK, here's the dies that came with it. I almost had it right earlier... I forgot about the set of dimple dies that were with it also. Sorry guys, only one set of duplicates- that is the triple combo's and I'm keeping the extra set to re-profile them myself. It appears someone used them to break down the corners on cold bar and worked over the drawing section of the dies. If you're wondering where the 7th set is, they're in the hammer.

Bill, Message received and duly noted. That can not have been a nice sound when the rod let loose... -DB

Frosty, Looks like a luxurious soon-to-be man-cave to me, but I'm a sucker for a metal building...Pretty beautiful scenery in the background as well. -DB

Larry, Thank you for the info. I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to getting to know this hammer a little better...:)

Larry, Yeah, pretty crazy with all those S-7 Dies. It feels like I bought the dies and they threw in the hammer for free. I think a cogged belt would make a lot of sense. I contacted Brian Russell regarding the belts and he said Sahinler has gone to a notched belt that gives much better power transmission. I picked up a set, just need to put them in. The smooth V belts in this hammer are pretty thrashed and loose as well. I'll get into it this week. The motor is a 10hp, not sure of the pulley size, but it looked pretty small. Danger, I'll get a shot of the dies when I get back in the shop. As I recall it had 2 sets double combo, 2sets triple combo, 1 large drawing (unused), 1 small flat (unused) and 1 set of bark texture dies.

I picked up a used SM-50 last week. Got it moved into the shop yesterday, wired it up today. Need to replace the belts and tighten everything up, but so far seems like a pretty cool machine. It came with 7 sets of dies.

That is a really nice piece. The galvanized finish against the snowy background is perfect. I would have loved to have seen a photo of all three standing together...Very nice work. Thanks for posting. -DB

FYI, I contacted Striker to get some info on the 165 through the website about a month ago (when the website was still up), and got zero response. I also called the sales rep in Sacramento, left a message and got no call back. This is what is posted now on the former striker tools US website:All Service or Spare Parts Requests Should Be Directed To: All Service or Spare Parts Requests Should Be Directed To: 101, Xin Jian Nan Lu, Qixian County Shanxi, P.R. China Post Code: 030900 Shanxi No.2 Forging Press Machinery 354-522-2767 - Office 354-522-5197 - Fax

Now you've gone and done it Grant! You've spoiled a perfectly good pity party. In a previous life, I worked for 13 years in the corporate technology sector . Yeah, I know...I'm not proud of it either. Every company I worked for had a 1, 3 and a 5 year business plan. These plans were subject to review every 6 months and were revised as the market dictated. It was a PIA to do this, but it forced you to stay on top of your business and to face the facts of what was working and what wasn't. Call it an early warning system. So...Times are tough you say. Let's say you had a successful business doing the same thing for 10 years and now "all of a sudden" it doesn't work. Get creative, get real and re-work your business plan/strategy. A lot of companies go under because they ignore the writing on the wall, continue to do what they have always done and fail to react soon enough. The point is, that a business is a living breathing organism that reacts to external forces including: changes in the economy, changes in styles or peoples tastes, availablity of certain materials or labor, cost of goods and services, etc. The list is endless. When you come to an obstacle in your business path, figure out a way to go under, over, or around it (or just blow the xxxx thing up and move on). Just don't quit. That's when you fail. -DB

Why? Because you can... Now the fun begins moving that beast! -DB

Rory, That is a really beautiful fire screen... It is difficult to make a piece that is "physically" heavy, look elegant and graceful. The design, in this case, addresses the issue beautifully, and your execution is top shelf. Thank you for sharing the details with us. -DB

Thomas, Thanks for the offer. I'm sure Brent (or the buyer) would appreciate the any assistance unloading/loading. If you are not familiar with Brent or his tools, I really recommend that you look him up at the conference. He is a super nice guy and a meticulous toolmaker. He has made several hand hammers for me over the years and they are some of my favorites. -DB

ditto here...Maybe you could post the info for the rest of us? Inquiring minds would like to know. :P

A friend of mine (Brent Bailey) is looking to sell his 25# little Giant. He is located near Chico, Ca. Please note: If you live in Arizona, or New Mexico, Brent will be attending the SWABA conference as a vendor in Las Cruces on Feb 14 and 15th. He would be willing to bring the hammer with him to the conference at no additional charge to the buyer. If you are interested, or have questions, please contact Brent Bailey directly: Brent Bailey Forge and tool Co 530 865-4176 25# Little Giant (New style) 2 hp single phase motor Completely rebuilt, excellent condition, new paint, dies, die keys & pins. Asking $3200

Thanks Gerald. I confess, I have one of those design/inspiration folders, too! I also agree with your "simple" approach to design. Sometimes, "just enough" is just the right amount and many times the difference between a design success or a failure is often what we choose not to do, more often than what we choose to do. Along these lines, I do think it bears a mention for some of the new Smiths out there, that it is perfectly acceptable to be influenced by, or inspired by someone else's work. Unless you live in a cave, it is nearly impossible to avoid it. The trick is to take those influences and strive to produce something original. It is never Ok to simply copy someone else's work. Honor your craft by putting some of yourself into it. I know that for many of you, design does not come easy. Design is simply a skill that needs to be practiced, nurtured and developed, just like hammer control or any other aspect of our craft that requires skill. The more you do it, the better at it you will become. If you do not posess at least basic design skills, you will always be at a huge disadvantage in the competitive marketplace. -DB

Black patina with a clear coat (lacquer).