Dick L.

Well I went out right after dinner and spent about an hour forging.Two attempts with the second being a little better. I learned a lot really from these steps. On the first the bill stayed at the bottom of the head but proportions were off really bad. Second one was proportioned better but I couldn't get the definition to work. I know now I should have kept the entire head on the face of the anvil when working the bill so it wouldn't move up. The transition from neck to body just didn't work like I expected. I went from the horn to the face, flipped it 180 and tried to get that tight radius step up to the body but no go. I think if I had smaller radius on my anvil edges it would work better. I will try again when time allows and continue until it looks right.When I saw Brian do one in Memphis it looked so easy :)

Brian, Thanks for the step by step. Really leaves nothing to ask. Like the horseheads I will do this one next and post my results. Dick

I'm not in the market for one right now but curious , is a 200 lb. hammer a guided way? Dick

Until I just looked at the photos I posted I didn't realize how centered the square piece is in the photo of the rear (big end ) of the helve. The front is captured in a heavy metal band and the end covered with a canvas belting but I'm starting to think it might be a 2 piece helve with that square insert full length. Anyone ever see one like that? Dick

I want to include these photos and dimensions in case anyone has a hammer and does need to know the taper. The big end is 6"X7" and the small end is 5"X6".It has some splits and they are on the center line but not all the way through. The beam is serious over kill like the hammer to anvil ratio. I think the only way you loose one is from dry rot . Seems it would be hard to break on a 40 lb. hammer being used correctly. If you think about it all handles and baseball bats etc. have grain exiting the surface. They work pretty well unless abused. Dick

Matt , I'll measure it in the morning and post the dimensions here. Dick

Great photos Lyle thanks for sharing them. I'm sure everyone really enjoyed you and Brian doing your team demo. I know I sure did in Memphis ! Wanted to get out there but just not enough hours in a day :)

A few more shots of mine, just to show the overall hammer.

I think Mark Aspery should also be part of this list. Dick

Thanks for taking the time to supply the dimensions with photos in such great detail. I will document building mine as well. Dick

I have taken a lot of pictures already but I will take some with that thought in mind. I'd be happy to be part of any exchange of info that will help others with thier project. If I stand on the treadle arm to release the brake and turn the flywheel mine will cycle right through a hammer stroke. The anvil (lack of ) and integrity of the bumpers are my main focus. I do want to clean and paint it before putting it to use. Dick

Thanks Matthew, Any help you can provide when time allows will be very helpful. Thank you, Dick

Great design ! I would really like to see how it was done if you are inclined to show us. Thanks for posting! Dick

Sounds like I maybe have to try it. My floor is only 4-5" of concrete. No rebar but its on about a foot of gravel packed and flooded before the pour to assist settling. Scraped down to ledge bedrock for the footings. So I guess it will either be fine or shake the dust off the steel. Thanks for the input I'll do a video when it gets in operation.

Thought of another question that those of you that have Bradley hammers could answer. Question is how important is an Isolated mounting consisting of a large amount of concrete and sawing a hole in the garage floor. I'm not against doing it but just wondered if a 1"or more plate on urethane isolation mounts might provide the same effect? Cutting the floor nails down where it's going to be and I would be looking at access to the forge and the hammer itself but shop layout is something that seems to be ever changing as I continue to learn and try different kinds of forging. Dick

Stewart and Peacock Thank You for the info ! I have some appropriate Meanite Cast Iron slugs that I think I can get an anvil block from so the dimensions and photos will help a lot. Stewart I don't want to put you out as far as a manual . Don't know if you have other info ,I downloaded the manual in PDF format that Matthew got and posted in his thread. Thanks again, Dick

I just got this Bradley hammer and want to freshen it up as I get it set up.The previous owner used it to split bark rings for basket making and found the present arrangement to work very well for him. If anyone has the dimensions of the anvil that goes on the anvil block under the lower die I would appreciate it. The height being the most important part. Thanks, Dick

The gentleman I got it from never hit a piece of hot metal with it. He got it for splitting growth rings on tree bark to make the strips for baskets. He is a master basket maker. He put in that setup because it worked better for what he wanted.He needed fine control with a light tap. There was a repair done on the crank connection before he got it and it worked fine for him so I will wait and see what it's like before I make any changes at all. When I step on the treadle lever to release the brake it rolls through it's cycle real nice with no slop anywhere. Can't wait to try it. I need to prepare a footing for it in the shop. Dick

Joan and I left at 5:45 this morning to make the trip north for my new mechanical hammer. Just got back and wanted to put up a few pictures for you all to see. I think you will be able to read the beam but it is a 40 lbs. Bradley cushioned helve. Dick

Those look great Clinton. Nice of your girlfriend to help ! Dick

Thanks Dave, Great tutorial ! I always enjoy seeing different ways to make things. Dick

George, Amazon has it here, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kingdom+of+heaven&x=13&y=17 Dick

Your ability to teach is very clear. Those are some very fortunate students that have been able to get in on your classes. Great projects too. Hope to see you in NY. Dick

Opened fine for me as soon as it was loaded. Lot's of great info there and photos from the Memphis conference. Dick

These will give you some ideas. Hope it helps , Dick http://www.knivestown.com/ktown/blade_shapes.asp