Ted Ewert

Holding up just fine.

I made a few more modifications, namely to make it easier to switch between one shot mode and repetitive mode. All the control is now attached to the treadle. One shot - repeat.mp4

I have the first version done. The timer has worked as expected and provides a variety of operational modes. As you can see it has a dial to vary the speed of oscillation. The numbers represent multipliers of the selectable unit at the bottom, in this case .1 second. This makes it easy to adjust the speed of oscillation for your particular needs. The timer has 4 modes, two of which I find useful. It has a one shot mode for a single firing of the cylinder. The ram is held up until the start button is pushed. The cylinder is then activated for one cycle, at the rate set on the d

I was going to build a whole new hammer, but I decided to convert my mechanical hammer instead. I'm using a timer relay and a solenoid valve to control the hammer. It's actually a pretty simple setup and a flexible way to accomplish what I need. I've been working on this project for the last month or so, trying to learn about pneumatic parts and how they all work together. I knew very little before I started, but found it interesting once the picture became a bit clearer. What I came up with is basic enough to convert most mechanical hammers to pneumatic. I started off by stripping t

Anyone with a little experience can knock out a decent hook or bottle opener. What I see in your work, along with other talented blacksmiths, is a quality of precision and symmetry which only comes with years of practice. I've had enough difficulty to appreciate the higher levels of craftsmanship. The cutoff tool you made is a good example. When I first saw it I thought: WOW. The shank is centered and square to the flat bottom. The shoulders are the same height, and even all the way across. The tapers up to the edge are even, smooth, square and the same on both sides. All the proportions

You could make a bottle opener with a feather on the end and kill two birds with one stone. Or not.

Just decorative. They show up better with a black finish, but I decided on a clear coat instead. Thanks Rojo!

Nice axe Benona. All I've made recently is some hooks for folks who requested them. I've also been practicing making feathers. I am once again rebuilding the power hammer, which has taken up most of my time. I'm converting it from mechanical to pneumatic. I'll post it when it's done.

My hat's off to you Jennifer. Your combination of talent, desire and work ethic is obvious in the pieces you produce. Watch out though, I'm retiring in a few years may catch up by the time I'm 90.

Beautiful hardie tool Jennifer. Don't think I could swing any hammer for 5 hours, let alone a 6 pounder. That's what a desk job will do to you.

I'm actually building a design by Joshua De Lisle. It's a very simple hammer, but just what I want. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfJFDZTZTqc I'm in the process of collecting materials. There is a construction site close to my work with a large dumpster marked "metal only". I talked to the foreman and he told me to take all I want. Golden words! It may take a while, but as soon as I get all the pieces I'll stat a new build thread.

I thought about it, maybe if a few people are interested I will. I just get tired of the negative comments here when I don't build things the conventional way. I'd love to if I ever get up your way. Thanks

Thanks KS, glad you like it. I didn't know anything about power hammers before I built it either. My method of learning is to build one, and by the end I know exactly how they work. I have a pneumatic build just starting. Mechanical hammers move plenty of metal, but air hammers have so much more control. I think a VFD is a waste of money. A decent clutch will do the same job, for a lot less money.

When you turn your air flow down you'll start to get burnback through your burner. This is because your flame front exceeds the velocity of the gas exiting the hole. I have found that most ribbon burners have way too many holes for efficient operation. I run mine on six holes and it gets as hot as I want with no problems whatsoever. Plug up about a third of your holes with Kaowool and see if the problem goes away.

It will only backfire if the rate of burn (flame front) exceeds the exit velocity of the gas. An easy fix is to plug up a few of your burner outlets with some wool. That should increase the gas velocity through the other ports.