How much travel for a 50lb-er?

[Gavj75]

Hello again to all.

My latest project is a tyre hammer and so far, I think my build is coming on quite well but again, I'm not to sure about something. 

So my first question is this:- is it down to personal preference for how much vertical travel the hammer has or are there any kind of parameters to go by? My hammer is around 45lb and I was thinking  around 6 inches. Any advice?

Second question:- I was going to set my hammer up so that it's just touchin the anvil when it's at it's lowest point in a stationary position therefore, the flex on the spring when it's in motion will give the hammer it's power.I was going to put some shims under the anvil so I have some adjustability. Am I going about this the right way as this is all guess work on my part or is there a better way to do it?

Any advice will be much appreciated, thanks

Gav

[ThomasPowers]

Please give more info on the size of stock you want to work in general and also possible outliers.

[arftist]

3.5 inch crank offsett for a 7" stroke.

An inch of free space between the dies is good minimum but you should have enough adjustment for tools as well.

[Gavj75]

Thanks for the info guys.

The kind of stock I'll be working will be probably no thicker than 40mm. I plan to make Damascus blades however I'm quite a creative chap so who knows what my forging future holds?

As for the 'outliers', I'm not sure what you mean by this term? Can you explain please? 

Thanx,  Gav 

[ThomasPowers]

Lets say you generally, 80%+, forge stuff below 1" round; but on a semi regular basis you make andirons from RR rail.  The RR rail would be an outlier that should be allowed for.