IronPuppet Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 I was at a local clearance shop today. They sell all sorts of used tools and stuff like that. They also have a nice selection of new hammers for a good price. So I got me a 2 lb sledge and a cross pean. They have fiberglass handles with a nice rubber grip and drop forged heads. The heads have a pin through them to secure them to the handles. I think I did good for my new forge. What do you hammer experts think? Christopher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feukair Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 The look fine to me. And you have the same lenolium floor that i have in my kitchen LOL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don A Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 Look like they will do the job. Just be very careful with those rubber grips around the fire. Everything I own has been on fire at one time or another, and I'd sure hate to grab a hand full burning rubber. Also, I'm sure you know about dressing a new store-bought hammer. The faces always need to be rounded up and smoothed out. Let us know how they work. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPuppet Posted April 27, 2007 Author Share Posted April 27, 2007 No, Don. I never knew about dressing new hammers. Thanks for the heads-up and now I will investigate this. Christopher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Christopher: You may have noticed how shiney most of the guys keep their hammers. This isn't just for show, though nicely polished hammers do look better. It also helps move the metal easier. Think about what's happening when the hammer impacts the work. It's momentum carries the hammer face into the hot steel. Being non compressible the steel has to get out of the way but it's being crushed between the hammer face and the anvil face, just like a rotor in a disc brake. The rougher the face of the anvil and hammer, the sooner the metal stops moving. Keeping them polished means less work for you, it also means you'll have better control of the results. The other reason to dress your hammers is to prevent the edge of the face from marking your work. With the exception of metal working hammers the edges are not radiused and the sharp corner can really do a number on your work. The face should have a slight radius as well or you have to hit the steel perfectly or one edge will bite in. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Here's an example of a store bought hammer dressed and ready to use....the face has been sanded and slightly rounded...the edges also have been sanded to eliminate any sharp corners...and the pein has been rounded and smoothed as well. Almost all store bought hammers, regardless of price or quality, will need to have this done to be ready to use for blacksmithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPuppet Posted April 28, 2007 Author Share Posted April 28, 2007 Thanks, Frosty. I got some old hammers to fix now as well as my new ones. A few handles to replace as well. Christopher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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