firefarm39 Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 A couple of months ago, I bought a Bradley Cushioned helve hammer at an auction. Included with the hammer were a few different dies. One pair is obviously for making tongs. The final tong form is apparent in the pictures, but I don't really understand the intermediate steps that I need to take to get to that point. Are there any tool and die guys out there that can help me figure out how to use them? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 For some reason your attachments didn't attach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Thanks Grant, first time tryig to post pictures. I'll go read the instructions again and try once more. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Second attempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Firefarm, Probably the way these were used would be to preform a round our flat bar on the right hand side, then go to the left hand side to create the hinge. Moving from left to right the jaw would be sized. Depending on the starting stock used, the tong reigns could have been drawn out on the right had side where the dies make contact. I have some flat jaw tongs that look like they could have been made with dies like these. These would be particularly good for forging tong blanks that could later be worked into more complex jaw designs. What size Bradley did these dies go in? I have a 300 lb machine with a few extra dies, but mine are either set up to take inserts (which I don't have) or run chisels/ breaker points. If you need literature on the hammer, I may be able to help with that. Feel free to send me an email: pnowak@scotforge.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Can someone draw a picture of the process used here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 I'll try to get some clearer pictures tonight. Patrick, thanks for your input. The Bradley is a 100 I think (no plates or serial number that I can find). I am just basing that on other pictures on IFI. It is an un-guided helve type. I gotta think it becomes about a 125 hammer when these dies are installed, 'cause they are pretty stout! The hammer came with the original 5 HP motor, and I don't have it running yet, due to single-phase to 3-phase power conversion issues. I think you are right about the dies creating a decent basic set of tongs that could then be modified in a lot of different ways. Should be fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 If you can scrounge up another 3phase motor that is 5HP or larger, you can use it to run the hammer by wiring through it. I have done this for years with my machine tools at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Biggundoctor, thanks, I knew that was an option, but didn't know the motor had to be the same HP or bigger! I'll have to scrounge around and see what I can find. I have a 3 phase motor, but it is only 1 HP. <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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