trying-it Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Just to give you a rough idea about the BigFoot treadle hammers I built for Pam, myself, and others: Hammer weight is 165# The 2 return springs are 150# type. Total unit weight is in excess of 600#. The combo dies are 1-1/2" wide X 8" long Tredle hammer - Blacksmith Photo Gallery100_0155 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery100_0157 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery2 pair of finished faces - Blacksmith Photo Gallerytreadle hammer anvil & hammer faces - Blacksmith Photo Galleryplaying more - Blacksmith Photo Gallery Results of a single hit, a double, and a triple in 1/2" sq, same heatflattened_by_BigFoot1 - Blacksmith Photo GalleryJust playing - Blacksmith Photo Gallery Treadle hammers are very handy tools! Have fun guys and always BE safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 BTW:Just a little update: My initial sales strategy of BigFoot treadle hammers was to demo a unit at any organized blacksmith event I was invited to attend; my travel & lodging expenses paid for by that group. I want everyone to try a working unit before actually purchasing one for themselves. I never considered the possibility of interest being generated so quickly outside of the continental U.S.A (I am now open to suggestions from those outside of the "Lower 48".) After the demo session, orders would be taken from interested individuals. At a predetermined time & date I would return with the "purchased" units to that same location; I and the unit buyers (only) would fully assemble the units. It takes about 20 minutes to fully assemble one of my units. Also being sold in a "kit" form, I am not subject to "product liability insurance premiums" that themselves would substantially increase unit selling price. The unit buyer would be responsible for final sanding, grinding, and painting of their own unit; another price savings. This also provides a window of opportunity for the individual buyer to personalize their unit. The selling of plans is not an option at this time as there are hidden technical advances within these units. These advances are "Patent Pending" and each unit is stamped with that warning. (All unit buyers will be required to read, fully understand, and sign legally binding "non-disclosure / non-competition" forms.) As a machine shop, job shop, owner/operator I have the facility and capacity to produce high quality precision equipment and tooling in a short period of time. ***My special interests today focus primarily on blacksmith needs and wants. *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I'm not sure about the demo strategy. I don't see how a group would pay for travel and lodging to someone for the purpose of selling their product(s). Don't sellers usually pay their own way? Part of a marketing cost, I would think. Maybe if you offered to do a general treadle hammer workshop or demo using the Bigfoot - that would work. But I'm pretty sure the guy who bangs pots and pans together at county fairs pays his own way, including a seller's booth fee. I'm real curious about those advancements, though. I can certainly understand why you don't want to share the design details, but what do they do? How do they make the Bigfoot better than the designs out there today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Mark my answer to your first part: My initial sales strategy is based along the same lines as Clay Spencer and his spare tire hammer. Answer to second part: Has a lot to do with ergonomics. Ergonomics being defined in the American Heritage dictionary as:"The applied science of equipment design intended to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 You folks interested in a true "Cadillac" of treadle hammers need to take a long hard look at Tryin-it's product. It should truly be a one- time-buy because you'll never wear it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 What I'm wondering is how much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Sorry I meant to type Marc not Mark. What can I say, it must be another one of those age related thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I guarantee the price is somewhere between the price of a finely-made well-known blacksmith's hand hammer and a modern air powerhammer. I am bridging the gap between the two technologies, so it should only be appropriate to charge accordingly. A more important question might be what are the true costs to an individual's body and what will those repair bills cost? http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/santa-blacksmith-2193/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tophand Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 larrynjr, I am brand new here BTW. I researched alot of mig welders and bought a Hobart 187 from Tractor Supply in Oklahoma for around $650. It is a 220v unit with a 30% duty cycle . A Small argon/CO2 bottle will cost around $80 shipped on ebay. Hobart is made by Miller only 25% cheaper. Same warranty. Hope this helps, matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Trying-It, my name gets spelled wrong so often I hardly notice. There used to be a company, Meyer Machine Tool, that made a treadle hammer called The Mark. It was based on Clay Spencer's inline treadle hammer. I can't find any recent links on it, so they may have stopped. I used to get ad cards on it in the Blacksmiths Journal. I think they sold it for around $1000, and they had a pneumatic option that gave a one-hit power assist. Or maybe they *tried* to sell it for around $1000. I have never heard of anyone who bought one. I don't think that Clay's tire hammer is the same business model, though. I've only heard of him offering workshops where people pay in advance and build the hammer. They pay for the parts and his time and leave with a working tire hammer. I don't think he actually sells pre-built hammers. He also sells just the plans, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I still have some of the flyers for "The Mark" treadle hammer. They were / are asking $1500 delivery included for the treadle. $850 for the "power pack" air assembly, or $2200 for both, delivery included. It looks like a good solid product but in comparison I like the style that seems to predominate here on IFI. The Big Foot seems to be of this style. For myself, it coming in a kit form, I would expect to pay less then a fully finished, pre-assembled product. Thanks for the recommendation Tophand, $650 is a bit more than I would prefer to spend, plus I'd have to have 220 brought into the shop. Welcome to IFI, go to the top of the page and click the User CP and show us were you are from. From your post, I'm assuming Oklahoma. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Mark In-line Treadle Hammer Just for additional information: I bought The Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I was willing to buy another unit from them, but I could not find them again. I have their business address and phone numbers on the flyer, if you want them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thank You larrynjr, As a matter fo fact, I would like to have the information. Would you send it via Pvt. message found on this site! I would appreaceate it. Old Rusty Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 How long does it take to insert a pivot pin or two and put a lynch pin in the other end? Attaching and loading the springs does not require too much time either. Grinding, sanding, painting are only cosmetic features; Bigfoot can easily be ready to use 20 minutes after delivery, then beautified later. I wonder how many have heard of "Product Liability Insurance"? If something is sold the manufacturer can be held legally liable for injuries, damages, etc, etc. Selling in "kit form" saves the expenses here of that same minimum $1million dollar policy as the "buyer" will alter the item from its originally sold condition. BTW while I attended SIUC, students were told NOT to ever wire a lighting fixture that they had produced. It can be so easily done, but the artist can be held legally responsible if it "shorts out" and causes injury or fire. Pay a pro a few dollars for the service and they then become responsible for all the electrical components. As always BE safe one and all................... Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveh Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 hi Stan.any idea when you will be letting us know what you will asking for a unit?could you give me the weight of one?thanks alot steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Nice job Sam!!!!! Isn't a finely tuned hard hitting treadle hammer sweet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 The only improvement I still see now is to add more weight ALA liquid lead or sand or concrete to the ram tube for a heavier head weight. Hi Sam, the improvements look good, I'll have to incorporate them into my hammer when I build it. Hopefully in the coming month. I thought I read in another, or possibly even this thread. That the hammer head weight wasn't as important as the anvil post weight. I think I remember a ratio of 15:1 anvil to hammer. How heavy is your anvil post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerkid Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Thanks sam ! I will try that on mine!! I believe I`ll fill my base with sand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I believe I`ll fill my base with sand I just picked up several 60 lb. bags of "sandbox play sand" from Ace Hardware, $4.99 each. I plan on using them as a place to normalize my pieces and anvil stand for my RR track for my daughter to use. Depending on what I end up with for my treadle, I'll use some in the anvil post and hammer head too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryM Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hey Sam, Just burn a hole in the side of the anvil post, near the top. Then pour sand, lead what ever in, then tack weld a patch over the hole to seal it. Don't have too much fun, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmercier Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 My treadle hammer hits wicked hard, and it doesn't have a solid base, it's got a 6" tube with a solid block on top of it (with a 1" hardy hole in the center) I think the 15:1 or 18:1 (depends on who you ask) anvil to hammer ratio is really a power hammer guideline more so than a treadle hammer.http://www.tharkis.com/images/shop/treadlehammer.jpghttp://www.tharkis.com/images/shop/treadlehammer2.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 You know I keep hearing folks say that who have used a light anvil for their TH; but when they switch it out for a heavy anvil they are amazed at the increase in effiency. Many small TH do better with adding solid weight to the anvil than to the ram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ornametalsmith Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 good point TP..........imagine hand forging hot metal on a hollow anvil. Resistance is a good thing ..................they don't make em solid for the heck of it. It's all relative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ornametalsmith Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 thought I should at LEAST throw a shot of my TH out there. FWIW, my anvil is the End of a railroad axle. hmmmmmm this is my first attempt to add an image......hope it works. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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