Brett M Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Hello everyone. I just learned of this forum last week at a show. Looks like a lot of great information. Does anyone have an opinion about whether to get a treadle hammer now or wait and get something powered later? Glad to be here Brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Welcome aboard Brett, glad to have you. A treadle hammer and a power hammer are two different tools, there's overlap of course but they're different in major ways. A treadle hammer is a striker most useful for driving tooling like veiners, fullers, etc. Treadle hammers aren't great for moving much metal say a long draw. A power hammer is more for moving metal in big ways and generally not so good for delicate work. There are however power hammers, pneumatic utility hammers to name the beasts, that can have very good single blow features with good control of power so they can indeed do much of what a treadle hammer can. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Welcome to IFI. You will get the information you want and more here at IFI. Just hang around a bit.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 What is your experience as a smith? If just starting out you would be wise to learn all you can about forging metal by hand before you start with a power hammer. The learning curve will not be as long and the scrap pile won't grow as fast! The PH is just a helper that doesn't need a coffee/smoke break but you have to know what the metal is going to do BEFORE you put in under the PH. That being said, the treadle hammer is great for single hits, unless you have an air hammer or good control with a mechanical PH. The PH is for moving a bunch of metal fast. There are excellent smiths here on IFI that can make a PH do delicate work but they have been using one for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 My answer is that it depends on what you want to use the mechanical aid for and the level of your current skills. I agree with Thomas that if you are first starting out, then first learn to master hand hammering. If you describe your skill level to the forum and what you would ultimately want to use the tool for, folks on the forum would be better equipped to provide suggestions. If possible try out equipment in shops near to you to see what works best for you and the type of projects that you are working on. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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