Hi all-

First of all, I'd like to thank Glenn and everyone else for providing such a wonderful wealth of information on this site. I've been laying low for almost a year, trying to absorb as much information as I can and I thought it was time for me to share something as well.

Here's something I came up with to help me make a lot of tapered points on round stock when my sister wanted a bunch of yard art kind of stakes. The frame is a workout treadmill that my buddy's girlfriend was getting rid of.
I saw the pivot that it used to fold up for storage and thought that I could make use of it. I tore off the useless stuff and added a 12 lb. HF sledge and a piece of RR iron for the anvil. I used 1/2" rod for the hammer pivot and sleeved it so it would stay centered. 3/8" for the linkage rod and I welded together some pieces of a strip of 3/4" plate to make the base. I had to shorten the sledge handle to get it as close to the wall as I wanted when I rearranged the shop yesterday.
I had the chain and eye bolts laying around from other projects, so the total out of pocket for this one was about $75 for the RR iron, 3/4" plate and springs.

In the future I'll probably modify it so I can adjust the hammer height for tooling dies and stuff but for right now, it's great when the arm gets tired.

Cheers!!-- Jim

thats very cool. I want one!

I imagine a really easy way to adjust for different a thickness of material would be to have packing pieces under the anvil?

Thanks for sharing.

nice work on recycling things looks good .was there a electric motor on it with a controler they are good for varable speed equitment like small lathe or dill press or belt grinder

I will never look at a scrap treadmill on a junk pile the same way again! Great idea! Thanks.

nicely done

who needs engineers anway?

Jimaudio is an engineer.

He might not have a degree but he's an engineer all right.

That looks great - when I can I am going to build me one of those!

Bill

Well done Jim!

I love improvised tooling and equipment when it's done with care and thought.

How's it work?

Frosty

Truly using your coconut! I could swear you were taking pictures of your labor saving hammer, in my shop! (except I see the tulips are allready up in WA, not here in WY). Does the 3/8 rod flex much? As you clearly already know, the simplest solutions are usually the best. Great work!

Thanks guys! Unfortunately, it was a cheap treadmill that didn't have the motor- just a belt on a really slippery piece of plywood with a resistance fan geared to it. (Of course, I saved all of that stuff,too:D)
I think some packing or spacers somewhere will be the easiest way to adjust the height-just haven't gotten to it yet. The 3/8" hot rolled rod that the linkage is made out of is the same stuff that I was putting the square tapered points on. It flexes some but the springs give as well so I'm not too worried about it.
Frosty, it's perfect for a quick smash-it-flat or for long tapers. For more delicate stuff I'm trying to learn to use my new one (see below).

Cheers!!-Jim

Thanks for the pix, Jim. I have most of the parts, including a 16 pound cross pein sledge. I've been wanting to make an Oliver. But just haven't taken the time. You have renewed my interest. Thank you.

That is just brilliant in its simplicity. How did I miss this thread? Consider the idea stolen :)

Thats just great!, I was rather hoping when I saw the thread title that the hammer would go up and down when someone ran on a treadmill but your way is good to :D

I agree a very unique Idea... I like it.

Well Jim, I finally gotterdid!!It's a pretty simple machine. But should do everything that I'll ever need it to do. I made a bracket for changing out tooling. I've only got the flat tooling made, so far. But I'll have more before long. Thanks for the push. I finally got it completed.
Oliver Treadle Hammer Completed - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
Oliver Treadle Hammer Flat Die - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
Oliver Treadle Hammer - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Wow, what an awesome reuse. Recycling at it's finest. I don't know much about olivers, but it seems as if you also reworked and simplified the acuating system as well. Kudos.

OK. Here is the interchangeable dies for the Oliver. The first is of the new bottom fuller that I just made this AM, and the second shows both the flat face die and bottom fuller.

Oliver Treadle Hammer Die - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
Oliver Treadle Hammer Dies - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Both the flat face and the fuller are made from a peice of road grader blade edging. I know they are hard for wear, but I'm not so sure about impact. I guess I'll find out. :)

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by CurlyGeorge