Jason M

I use solidworks which is a 3d software. From the models I create drawings which in this case are actual views of the model in a paper size format. The animations I can create are of the actual models set in motion and exported as videos. It was a huge help in creating my hammer. My hammer is based on the Roberts linkage. I added some bars to it to give me the parallel movement. I'd say that everyone needs to be aware of any moving equipment or mechanisms yet we all see the videos of people doing things that make us cringe. I consider any and all machines including my hammer dangerous which is a good mindset to be in. Thanks for the compliment on the hammer and post. Rich, your top secret information is still safe :)

Hmm. I'll try this again. What I meant was judging by other peoples questions I though I didn't fill out all of the fields in the poll such as who created it etc. I just gave starting a new poll a shot and I didn't see anywhere to put a name. O well. As far as any other information missing that is not the case. It was meant to be a general poll about drawings in general. As far as my treadle hammer goes it's my own unique design. It's posted in the hammer section. The only thing missing from my drawing is the spring setup because I didn't know what I would need until I built that part. If I ever did offer any drawings they would be complete.

I am the person who posted the poll and it was my first poll. Judging by the questions it seems I didn't fill out all of the info. I was just curious about the subject. I've had a couple of people ask me if I had drawings of my treadle hammer for sale. I have the ability to create 3D models, animations, and drawings just not the means to sell them. Like many people today I am looking for other sources of income these days and thought selling drawings might be one source. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way a money hungry type of person as I always lend a hand or provide information when I can. Just looking for ideas. Jason

This is a question / poll regarding drawings. 1. Do you make your own drawings or purchase them? 2. How many of you just make everything on the fly? 3. Are there drawing that you wish existed but have been unable to find them? I like to make drawing whenever possible. It's a lot easier to fix mistakes on paper than with material.

The reason I had considered adding power to mine was to see if it would be possible to make a functional yet short stroke pedal to operate the hammer. You've got my wheels turning though as far as an alternative air system that would cyle it like a power hammer. I always thought it would be cool to built a power hammer and will eventually do so. I've always been fascinated by the colemancontrol system on YouTube although I will probably build a mechanical hammer so I don't have to listen to my little compressor running.

I wondered the same thing while watching other videos whether or not shock was being transferred to the operators leg. The way Grant's is set up definitely removes the shock. I don't get a shock when operating mine which I think is due to the way the linkage indirectly pulls the hammer down. I hear you on the extension springs. It's a quick easy way for builders to get the counter force needed but somewhat scary as far as failure potential no matter what safety containment is used. As far as converting to a power hammer do you mean adding an air cylinder to the treadle? I actually thought of adding that option to mine as I have an air cylinder available. I haven't looked into it fully yet.

No I didn't take it that way at all. Thanks for the compliment. I just took the opportunity to theorize and comment on our designs. I'm always under the assumption that there are newbies out there looking for build information just like I was. I agree with you 100% on your treadle travel being comfortably short. I noticed the same long travel on some hammers out there when I started to design mine and wanted to make sure I kept mine ergonomically short. Mine treadle travels 9-10 inches which so far seems good.

It's interesting to see another unique design out there. I like it. I'm curious as to how much the head weighs. It appears to be light weight (25-50lbs) which would make sense as to why you would want to get speed out of it for heavier work. I designed my straight line hammer with an approx. 100 lb hammer on it which requires little speed. The momentum of the weight does the work. If I were to have stomped the treadle hard on my hammer in the video it would have gone faster and made a much deeper impression in the steel. It's too bad there is not a universal treadle hammer test out there to show the capabilities of the different designs out there other than a "thump" test. P.S. Mine thumps too :D

Thanks for the input on the bumpers. I do have plenty of springs lying around including valve spring and was thinking of going that route. I do like the axle bumper idea. I'm gonna have to investigate that more. I don't need much of a bumper. Just something quieter than metal on metal. I will keep it simple. I just want to make it look like was meant to be there rather than an after thought which it was. I've seen two versions of a grasshopper. One where you can clearly see the linkages and the other where it was obstructed. It's definitely an effective linkage but I wanted to make something different and more compact. Jason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5xnneil99Q

It was very easy to build. Even though there are many linkage bars they can all be done accurately using a drill press. I originally had a solid guide welded to the ram. After the initial assembly I decided to mill a slot and through bolt that part of the frame. If I were to build another one I would just weld two separate bars with a space between them so that no milling would be required. At the moment I have not yet installed the safety cables because I am still working on the spring mounts. I had no knowledge of how many springs I would need. I started with two, then ran back to the store and bought two more. After getting everything put together and lubricated it became real easy to operate the hammer. I was able to reduce the tension on the springs making it real easy to operate.The current mount at the bottom extends past my original "envelope". When I designed the hammer I wanted to make it as compact as possible. The base plate is 30" deep by 28" wide. I offset the main post so that when the plate was up against the wall the mechanism would clear. I am looking into possibly rotating the bottom mount 90° because it stick out 2" past the "envelope". I also am going to add a spring or cushion to the top somewhere to halt the hammer on the upstroke. Under normal operation the weight of my leg is plenty to halt the travel but sometimes it hits at the top if I let it. I'm going to make some dies for it hopefully next week. I'm on vacation this week relaxing. I was experimenting the other day and was able to easily punch through some 11 ga. steel with a center punch and also cut that piece in half using a chisel both while cold. I later went in the house and asked the wife if she could hear me out there. She said yeah but it wasn't any louder than when the train goes by or shake the house any more, almost the same. Jason

Thanks for the comments. The linkage itself is its own guide. The pivoting connections keep the hammer inline front to back. The arms riding along themselves inside the frame attachment keep the hammer from moving side to side. I'll try and post another video of it in use when time permits.

This a my new treadle hammer that I designed over a year ago and finally welded up recently. It's a straight line linkage type. The hammer weighs about 100 lbs and has a little over 16" of stroke.

You might want to give Etsy.com a try. "Your place to buy and sell everything handmade"

Thanks Phil. Your link took me back to where I was. At least someone knew where I was lol! Thanks also to you Glenn, I was not aware of that page. You can never have enough info.

Hello all. I swear I was here a couple days ago when I found a link someone had posted the took you to PDFs relating to blacksmithing. I can't believe I didn't bookmark it but that seems to be the case. Anyone else seen these pages?

I went to the auction and saw the welder. The one thing I was concerned about was amp draw. I knew it was going to be a lot, and unfortunately it was too much. 90 amps at 240 volts. OUCH! It's a bummer only having 100 amp service at my house.

Hello, Does anyone know if there is a decent drill bit sharpener out there that will sharpen bullet point bits? I know the Drill Doctor exists but am not a fan of the screaming loud motor that it uses. I have scene industrial models but don't need one that large. Thanks, Jason

The unit on top is a new water cooler for the torch.

I'm thinking about going to an auction this weekend.There is going to be a Miller Dialarc there. It looks to have torches, water cooler, and foot pedal. What can you tell me about this welder, and what do you think this will bring at auction?

Quick question? I have never heard of or seen a gas forge with burners on the bottom the way a coal forge heats metal. Why?

Does anyone have any idea on what the average life expectancy of a MIG welder is. I know that there are a lot of variables that would effect a welders life such as use, abuse, how often if ever the duty cycle was pushed to it's limit, etc,etc,etc. I have a Century 90/105 amp welder that is about 17 years old and has never let me down. I have used it here and there for exhaust work, small projects, etc. I purchased it for $400 new. I am going to sell it and have a price in mind. I'm just looking to get a fair price and have some amount of certainty that it will last for the next user.

I'm about 7/10ths of the way to buying my next welder. Just have to sell my 105 amp now. I'm seriously looking at the Miller 211. Does anyone have this model? Second question. I am thinking of purchasing this from Weldfabulous.com. My company bought me a hood from here and everything was good. They seem to have the best prices. How was you experience with them?

Thanks Unkle Spike, Dodge. There is no doubt you get what you pay for. My current welder is a Century. I've owned it since 93 and have never had a problem. The main reason I am upgrading it to be able to weld 1/4" without any preheating. It won't be used for production work so to say. I've always wanted to get a bigger welder and my recent score of a bunch of 1/4" square and rectangle tube for free has really got me wanting one. So much I haven't thought of enough things to build yet. O the troubles I have :)

Interesting. I had never heard of that. I just read about it on the Miller site. Do you get a lot of spatter?