MRB Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 Hey Fellas! I’m a full time smith now, and have been moving more towards the knife world and would really love to pick up a power hammer for beveling and profiling. My steel supplier has a 25 pound LG he’s willing to sell to me, but I also happened to stumble across a #1 Champion Hammer. How do the Champion hammers compare to LG? I assume it’s harder to find parts for the Champion, but is it a better hammer? Funny how when you’re not looking for something you stumble across em! Just like trying to find your first anvil. thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 The LG is hard to beat seeing as they are still in business, so parts are available along with tech support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 From what I’ve been told the champion is the superior hammer but there is no parts for them so everything has to be made by machine shops, spring shops, ect… that being said a champion #1 is a 60 pound hammer so it’s more then double the 25 pound little giant so if you have a need for more power I’d go with the champion, if your doing lighter work an want easier parts availability then go with the little giant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetreeforge Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 Get them both and and then one can have different dies and you dont need to make the choice on witch hammer to buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 The Champion would be easier to rebuild or repair without factory parts, you can get springs arched at any decent spring shop and pouring babbit is pouring babbit where ever. 60lbs is a nice size for heavier work. The LG is a sweet hammer and parts are available, but it isn't good for very heavy work. You can do light work on a heavy hammer once you learn to control it. Bear in mind I've never looked a Champ over in person and I own a 50lb. LG which I'm pretty familiar with. How much room do you have in your shop? Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Typaldos Waters Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 I'm in the process of restoring a Champion No 1 hammer and working on documenting that process as well as a bunch of other information about the history of these hammers. The page is about 75% completed. Hopefully this will be helpful. https://www.watersironworks.com/mclane-or-champion-power-hammer/ Pouring new babbit this Thursday hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulF Posted November 8 Share Posted November 8 I am also refitting a 65lb no1. I have herd conflicting reports. but, I have observed that the champion I have, is solid cast Iron, no hollow cavities, to break this would be very unlikely. All the parts I have jury rigged were easy to fab from standard bar and plate stock. The hammer can draw a 1" sq bar to a needle taper in about 2 min. Unless the casting is broken at some place I can vouch for the champion 65 pounder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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