HWooldridge Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 I picked up a nice fly press today; it's a C-frame and about equivalent to the #2 shown on the OWA site. It is the arm and weight type with a 1-3/4, 3-start screw (I already knocked the dog snot out of myself because I wasn't paying attention - won't do that twice, ouch!). Paid scrap price for the press but everything is there along with a 3/4 punch set that does a good job on 16 ga sheet metal. I'd post a pic but the website still won't allow it. At any rate, this fellow also has two old drop hammers that are relatively small. They are about 9 feet tall with no motors but do have the pickup wheels on top and were run with straps. I'm guessing but the rams are 200 lbs or less. The frame of each is a tall thin casting with V-ways running along the length with the ram sandwiched in between. Since the uprights are in the way, there is limited access all the way around like on a C-frame hammer but I can probably also get these for scrap and was thinking about repowering with an air cylinder and one of the valve mechanisms seen here recently. Might not be good for 100% general forging but could be useful for special setups or dies. Anyone have an opinion on conversion - or should I consider restoring to original shape as a small drop hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Other threads. I have no answers. Seems like for scrap rate it might be a worthy gamble, low financial risk, high time risk... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I'm with Phil (did I say that?) and 200 pounds ain't exactly small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Gilmore Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I have seen a hammer made like this with the air cylinder added. It work quite well and didn't take to much to get it running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Can't have too many metal mashing tools... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 If you can get it for scrap then why not? PS-Grant,you and Phil make a cute couple. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Johnny Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I would definitely buy them at that price. If you cant use them you can always swap or sell, I was at a used machinery dealer here in new england recently and they had a couple just like you decribed ,differance is they called theres antiques and wanted over 3000 a piece. Just food for thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Re snot: I have a large screwpress with a toroid flywheel with dependent handles. I found that sticking a piece of foam pipe insulation on the handles tend to make the thwaps less of a shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 (I already knocked the dog snot out of myself because I wasn't paying attention - won't do that twice, ouch!). When I had my flypress I made sure I mounted it so the balls and arms were high enough that I could not hit myself in the head. I could hit myself with the handle but as my hand was usually on it it was USUALLY not a problem. I could see doing yourself some serious harm if you were hit by one of the arms or weights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Budd Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 When I set my press up I made sure that the balls are just above my head (unless I stretch, in which case I have to be careful!) Unfortunately for most of my students I'm only 5' 4", so they don't always notice that they have to watch their heads when I don't! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Most of the problems with this head thwacking is the misuse of the tool being used for forging and not punching or forming the items they were originally designed to produce, that is why the top arms are fitted to an octagonal cone to enable the arms to be positioned correctly to make the contact blow efficient with a simple pull of the handle, as opposed to the excess swinging we seem to gleefully indulge in They were also used by operators sitting in front of them , not standing. One way of getting a bit of safety is to fit a ring to the extremities of the balls, to act as a safety rail on the periphery of the ball's orbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 I haven't come close to hitting myself again - made myself a mental rule to always leave the handle in the same place every time and to PAY ATTENTION! I'm over 6' so have to be cautious about cracking my skull on lots of stuff, which should be an ingrained habit by now but I still slip up now and then. I also did some cold work sitting on a stool the other day and that was quite comfortable. Like John said, it's clear that's how they were intended to be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 When it's hot out my screwpress will not stay in the same place where it's left but will start creeping down. When very hot out it will speed up! In the winter it's not so much a problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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