Grant - Spring Dies

[Iron Clad]

Grant, at one of the last NWBA conferences I bought one of your spring dies that swages a round ball in the center of a 1/2" square bar. I explained to you that I didn't have a power hammer and you advised me to then weld a 1" square shank to the bottom spring and set this assembly into my hardy hole. Great idea.

A customer wanted a round ball in the center of every other picket on a 40 ft. railing I was building for him. So I made a stop to butt the bar against to make sure the ball was on center every time and then I had to swing a large sledge hammer with one hand while holding and turning the bar with the other. I thought my arm was going to fall off, but it worked.

Here is the rest of the story.... I noticed right off that it's practically impossible to swing a large sledge hammer with one hand and hit the die perfectly flat every time. So as a result the die was flexing back and forth on the spring. I figured it was a race against time before the die broke off the spring handle. IT DID BREAK OFF.....on the last hit on the last picket to finish the railing!!! (If it's going to break, then the timing was perfect.). No problem though, I just cut off the handle and after a little clean up just welded them back on.

I have four of your dies now and plan to buy more at the next conference. No more sledge hammer though, I'm using the treadle hammer.

[Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver]

Yep, a treadle hammer will help with that, Watch out with stops because the material needs room to extrude out. Usually when people are using them by hand, it's just for a few. Wow, I'm impressed!

[Iron Clad]

Thanks Grant.

After all that hand hammering the die itself showed no wear. What steel are you using? I'm thinking S1 ?

[dablacksmith]

i also use a few of the spring dies not under power hammer i use my fly press instead.. it works well and holds things in alignment well . i made a device to fit a hearty and hold the spring die where i can change dies . didnt want to limit my use by welding on a square bar .. might make a flat die for my power hammer someday so.. they work well !

[Bentiron1946]

Grant isn't the only one impressed, your arm must look like the Jolly Green Giant's thigh!WOW!!! :o