j.w.s. Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Well, we've all seen the "Rusty" - today I decided to start a project I've been pondering for a long while and have even asked for some info in the forums. Thanks again to everyone who pointed me in different directions, everything I've come across has been extremely helpful. Anyway, here's a few pictures of the project so far. The first pic is a little hammer I found - a 20lb sledge. The head had small points on the striking surface so I ground them off leaving the surface still slightly convex. Second picture is of the hammer next to a gallon of water just to give some perspective of the size of this thing. Lastly the frame is starting to come together and I have a 60lb anvil that will be dedicated to this build. The goal is to have an Oliver style hammer made from wood, eventually to move it to our shop at the Ren Faire to use for demo's -- of course that all depends on how it works out. Any and all advice is still welcome. I'd like to get this thing done by next weekend. -J ps. I'm not a carpenter at all - I just like having wood working tools around just in case.. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Looks like a gallows! Is this going to perhaps maybe possibly be an oliver hammer? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 now that you mention it, the resemblance is uncanny. I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of the outcome.. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 If you use a torsion spring for the return you could call it an Oliver . . . Twist. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 good score on the hammer. it seems like you are short-siding the hammer to anvil ratio (being only 1-to-3). Will the base make up for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 Not sure I know where to find a torsion spring of the right size / displacement - was thinking about cheating using standard helical springs. As for hammer to anvil ratio - were it being powered by my arm I'd care more about efficiency, however, as it's going to be powered by my leg / body mass and the return action caused by a spring, I don't think that the rate of diminishing return really matters in this configuration. Oh, and the hammer was only $24.50 - I think that was worth it - so far I have about $58 into the build, time aside, I might just be able to pull this off for under $100! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 (edited) I was mostly joking about using a torsion spring but they aren't hard to make. Simply find a piece of leaf spring long enough to reach across the frame, clamp it at the ends and clamp the hammer handle in the center. Adjusting it is easy enough. If it's too strong, (assuming the clamps are already at the ends) simply grind or saw a little off the width till it's right. Making it stiffer can be done by moving the end clamp points closer to the center. Making one with coil springs is a little more complicated, you'll need a shaft, bearings (bushings are fine) and a pair of springs you can clamp to the shaft and frame. Frosty Edited May 16, 2009 by Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Mostly joking around here sometimes leads to finished projects.. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 It's that whole unintended consequences thing you hear about. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 boys it still a sledgs hammer- wern't made for mechanical use- just good ol boy arm swangin....carried a 16# lots o years but wood handle and a spring me thinks not, but at jus me, be safe jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I was watching a Woodwright show that had a blacksmith using a spring hammer. The spring was wooden similar to what he had on his spring lathe. He then had two metal rods, one from the hammer to the spring pole and one from the hammer to the foot treadle. Seemed to work OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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