- Joined
- Feb 24, 2000
- Messages
- 1,883
I have a 100lb Little Giant Power Hammer. I have had it for over 30 years. Last Winter I noticed the bottom die was sliding around. Several times I removed the die key, replaced the bottom die and replaced the key. Each time I drove the key in, the key kept going in. As long as I hit the key it would continue to slide further in. What I didn't realize was that the dove tail part of the sow block was cracking open.
The sow block is made of cast iron and the original ones were hollow. This caused a weak spot.
Finally I noticed that the sow block had cracked.
I called "The New Little Giant Company in Nebraska. They had a sow block that would fit. The new sow block is solid. It weighed 240lbs.
I needed to get the old sow block out. I tried and tried to drive out the key that held the sow block in place. The power hammer was made in 1946 and the key was really stuck. Then I decided to try my electric jackhammer. Harbor Freight has two sizes and I have the smaller one. I modified one of the bits so it fit in the key way. The jackhammer easily drove the key out.
The rest was easy. I got the new sow block on and replaced the key.
I think all 100lb power hammers have a replaceable sow block, but the old style 25lb hammers do not. If I was to buy a power hammer I think I would want one with a replaceable sow block. If the hammer does not have one and the lower dovetail splits out it would be very hard to repair.
The sow block is made of cast iron and the original ones were hollow. This caused a weak spot.
Finally I noticed that the sow block had cracked.
I called "The New Little Giant Company in Nebraska. They had a sow block that would fit. The new sow block is solid. It weighed 240lbs.
I needed to get the old sow block out. I tried and tried to drive out the key that held the sow block in place. The power hammer was made in 1946 and the key was really stuck. Then I decided to try my electric jackhammer. Harbor Freight has two sizes and I have the smaller one. I modified one of the bits so it fit in the key way. The jackhammer easily drove the key out.
The rest was easy. I got the new sow block on and replaced the key.
I think all 100lb power hammers have a replaceable sow block, but the old style 25lb hammers do not. If I was to buy a power hammer I think I would want one with a replaceable sow block. If the hammer does not have one and the lower dovetail splits out it would be very hard to repair.
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