I-beam or square tubing for hammer?

[setlab]

I'm building a jyh power hammer and I am about to start welding the frame up, I have a pretty heavy duty 1/2" thick I-beam that I'm planing to use for the main column part and I also have some 1/4" walled square tubing I could use too. How much difference does a column like square tubing filled with sand damper the sound compared to a more open column like a I-beam?

[markh]

If you care about noise, use the tube and fill it with sand. That really quiets down a hammer.

[Travis Covington]

Keep in mind the tubing will be less likely to flex than ibeam. If you use the ibeam it will have a tendency to twist under stress, if you box it it will cure that problem.
Hope this helps.
Travis

[ptree]

I built a Rusty style hammer, and used square tube for the center column. Empty the whole thing rang like a bell. I filled it with steel shot, and the machine is much less nosiy. The extra 650# also helps to stabilize the machine. I had access to scrap steel shot from a Wheelabrator. Dirty, but free. After a few hours I had to top off as it settled. This went on for a couple of months.

[Dave Hammer]

I believe square tubing has the advantage over an i-beam for reasons stated above. I like to make my frames very heavy for stability. 1/4 inch wall would be a little light. I would recommend 1/2 inch walled square tubing if you can find it. The base needs to be heavy also (minimum of 3/4" plate, 2" is better).

Edited October 16, 2008 by djhammerd

[Dave Hammer]

Ptree.... What is the size of the steel shot you have access to?

[Jan]

Next thing for filler:if you gonna stuck wooden beam into box section,you will need less
shot(s).And noise goes down.

[setlab]

I ended up using the heavier I-beam I had. I figure latter on I will find a couple plates to weld on the sides to box it in. I'm definitely going to have to find a heavier and bigger base plate to mount everything on but for now its on a 1/2 plate. For now I just have to figure out how short to cut the main springs.

[Ice Czar]

I figure latter on I will find a couple plates to weld on the sides to box it in.

a sound engineering idea
as mentioned a box girder offers considerably better resistance to torsion (and you can fill it)

looks good ;)

[John Larson]

I've built hammers using I-beams with 1/2 flanges and that works, but I now favor box beams that I construct using channels and flats, bolted together. With bolted together box beams I can, like with I-beams, access bolts that pass through a flange. With rectangular tubes I find the sides are not particularly flat and bolts have to be threaded into the tube walls, or totally welded construction used. I have nothing really against tubes, but I prefer fab'd box beams.

[setlab]

I finally finished my hammer a while ago, still needs a paint job yet though. But I don't notice and real difference in sound compared to what I remember little giants putting out, of coure most of my hammer is built like a tank. I don't even want to think about how many welding rods I burnt threw.

[rsilver4]

I ended up using the heavier I-beam I had. I figure latter on I will find a couple plates to weld on the sides to box it in. I'm definitely going to have to find a heavier and bigger base plate to mount everything on but for now its on a 1/2 plate. For now I just have to figure out how short to cut the main springs.

Yes you will have to box it.I used I-beam and once you put the tire and and arms etc,it will surprise you how much it will twist,I had to box the sides and used expanding foam to quiet it..So tubing is the best choice,thicker the better----Regards Butch--whoops Looked at your pics and saw it was a hevle,but tubing is still better--- Edited December 16, 2008 by rsilver4