Jaret Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Hi All, A question. I would like to build a basic power hammer that runs electric. I can afford to buy the nice aryang hammer yet, one day i will though, but I would like to build something that can help me with quick drawing and folding. I only need to do the basics for right now, as I have a lot to learn. Can you guys recommend a hammer I can build that is motorized and can be build and a relatively small scale compared to the big monsters. Any takers with blueprints. I have a good access to various components. I would really appreciate it. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesrjohnson Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Jaret... probably the most popular self manufactured hammer is the Kinyon hammer and there are lot's of guys that can help you with blueprints. If you want the challenge of building a hammer, the Kinyon is a good one. The first power hammer I used was a Kinyon that I built. It has well over 10 years ago... I built it for the blacksmith shop I was working for. It was much better than the old hammer and anvil (although I still use the hammer and anvil). Building the hammer was a good experience, but before you start, make sure that you understand the total cost. I spent over $600 for a cylinder and the controls. We had a large air compressor in the shop, so there was no cost there... but they take a lot of air for continous work. I bought my steel at a scrap yard, but it was still hundreds of dollars for the anvil and steel for the frame. I didn't count the hours of fabrication, but it was not trivial (but I enjoyed the work). If I charged out my time and kept close tabs of the cost, I am sure that I would have well over $3,000 in the hammer. Then we had the maintenance of the air cylinder (I might have undersized the cylinder for continous heavy use.) I would at least consider as an option is a commercial power hammer. I belive that Steve Hansel has some new Anyang hammers for sale in Canada. I have one 33 and 4 20 lb hammers that were from the estate of the previous distributor. Let me know if I can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 There's also the "Rusty" series of Appalachian helve type hammers or the "Tire" hammer currently becoming popular. Either one is well within the capacity of a moderately skilled fabricator though I highly recommend good welding skills. How good a scrounge you are and how much time you take will determine how much you have to pay to build one. That last goes for any home built hammer of course. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaret Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Jaret... probably the most popular self manufactured hammer is the Kinyon hammer and there are lot's of guys that can help you with blueprints. If you want the challenge of building a hammer, the Kinyon is a good one. The first power hammer I used was a Kinyon that I built. It has well over 10 years ago... I built it for the blacksmith shop I was working for. It was much better than the old hammer and anvil (although I still use the hammer and anvil). Building the hammer was a good experience, but before you start, make sure that you understand the total cost. I spent over $600 for a cylinder and the controls. We had a large air compressor in the shop, so there was no cost there... but they take a lot of air for continous work. I bought my steel at a scrap yard, but it was still hundreds of dollars for the anvil and steel for the frame. I didn't count the hours of fabrication, but it was not trivial (but I enjoyed the work). If I charged out my time and kept close tabs of the cost, I am sure that I would have well over $3,000 in the hammer. Then we had the maintenance of the air cylinder (I might have undersized the cylinder for continous heavy use.) I would at least consider as an option is a commercial power hammer. I belive that Steve Hansel has some new Anyang hammers for sale in Canada. I have one 33 and 4 20 lb hammers that were from the estate of the previous distributor. Let me know if I can help. Thanks James. I did contact the guy in BC that sells for Anyang. $6000 is a little our of my price range. Definitly something I would like to buy once a guy can makes enough doing this hobby to sustain the cost of a nice anyang. What do use Anyangs go for? Thanks Jaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaret Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 There's also the "Rusty" series of Appalachian helve type hammers or the "Tire" hammer currently becoming popular. Either one is well within the capacity of a moderately skilled fabricator though I highly recommend good welding skills. How good a scrounge you are and how much time you take will determine how much you have to pay to build one. That last goes for any home built hammer of course. Frosty Thanks Frosty, I am pretty keen with a welder and fabrication. My brother is a welder as well. I have access to steel salvage lots including all the steel on all my families various farms. The simpler the better. Small and compact. the biggest use of all this will be to fold billets for knife making. Thanks again, Jaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I'm sure you're checking out Jeff's Appalachian hammer build thread yes? Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaret Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Yeah, Im watching. I like the idea. Looks fairly simple to construct. Are there any clear plans in around. I did check the blueprints section, what I did see was fairly under detailed. Thanks J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I'm sure someone will post the link but yes, there are plans for the thing. I'd just wing it myself but I like tinkering. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaret Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 Thanks Frosty. From the pics i have saw, I could figure it out. What is the different of using the tire idea in this hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Jaret, You going to be making any jewelery soon? I like the short Depew type shop built helve hammer. If I ever get some money ahead I think that I would build that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaret Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 Jaret, You going to be making any jewelery soon? I like the short Depew type shop built helve hammer. If I ever get some money ahead I think that I would build that one. I would like to know more. The jewelry thing will come after i have the forgery built. I would like to take the ideas of jewelry and implement them into the handles. Can you tell me what this helve hammer is? I would be interested in knowing more. Basically I am writing a plan over the next 3 years. Understanding certain components will help me forecast my plans and I can keep an eye open for materials as I scour for materials. PLease let me know. Thanks J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Using a tire drive instead of the pullies is just a matter of replacing the large pully with one of those compact spares that are useless on a car and replacing the small pully on the motor with a small rubber wheel. Then the motor is mounted on a hinged mount connected to the treadle. When you step on the treadle the rubber wheel contacts the tire and the hammer goes. You could use the wheel rim to mount the crank to run the helve and a standard automotive or trailer spindle and hub to mount the tire for a really strong set up. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny onebun Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 jaret you can get plans for the apalachian power hammer from gerry allen thats where i bought mine pretty basic plans but they give you a pretty good idea of what to do the hard part for me is figuring out all the measurements to build to my hieght and specs for the material i have located.Also cheap to build i have about 300.00 $ invested pretty well have everything i need.google apalachian power hammers good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Tire hammer is more compact and "elegant" than a rusty. As you have the skills I would go with that. There are clear and complete instructions available for them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Just an idea of how simple it can be:YouTube - The Original Junk Yard Hammer This hammer avoids having to build guides, a stumbling block for many. If I did this one again I'd use the "tire hammer" clutch idea. Frosty: I don't think you're supposed to use a rubber wheel on the motor, you don't use rubber on rubber, the motor should have a steel wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBower Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Grant, I love the idea of using the auto parts. Fabricating properly fitting ram and ram guides and drive shaft has always been kind of worry for me when I think about building anything other than a very simple helve hammer, and this seems like a really clever way of getting around that problem. I wonder if it'd be possible to incorporate this idea (using an engine block, piston and crankshaft) into a reciprocating ram hammer, Little Giant-style. (This is all more or less theoretical for me; I don't have a place to put a hammer right now, and likely won't anytime soon. But I can't help thinking about it. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 (edited) I would highly suggest taking a long look at the tire hammer, it takes up little room, is fairly light and easy to move, around 700 lbs, and can move some serious metal, I'm still fairly new, 2.5 years and counting, and I am absolutely crazy about mine. Clay Spencer holds classes where you build several at once, and you get to hang out with a bunch of like minded individuals for 3-4 days, nothing better than that!! Check out the "alabama forge council" and the link to Clay is on there somewhere, and he also sells plans for the hammer. Edited July 16, 2009 by divermike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmike Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Could someone of the tire-hammering guys here tell me more about the spring attachement between the arms ? I know it needs to be adjustable to tune the spring tension, but does it need to be mounted on pivots or are the nuts welded solid on the arms ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The recommendations provided as answers to your questions are certainly excellent ones. However, I have also heard people say many times that one first should learn to develop skills in hand hammering. Depending on how close to an absolute beginner you are, you may wish to first work on your hand hammering skills and your understanding of safety. When you do use a powerhammer remember: - to point the hot iron so that if it is squeezed out of the dies that the hot iron bar will shoot past you and not into your body. - never clean scale off the dies with your hand, always use a brush if you value your hand. - always keep the piece level so that it does not flip up into your face when struck. - if you use tongs make sure that they are a really good fit and grip on the iron...... I only need to do the basics for right now, as I have a lot to learn. Can you guys recommend a hammer I can build that is motorized and can be build and a relatively small scale compared to the big monsters. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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