75 lb Fairbanks Hammer

[Wind Chapman]

I have a 75 lb Fairbanks hammer. It has all original parts. However, the spring just won't cooperate. When the arms are pinned to the linkage, the spring is in its closed position. So when it rotates, the spring can't compress any further, and the hammer will not lower. If I adjust the pitman so it will strike, the linkage will rest on the gullet. If I ran it like that, the linkage would break. I have seen that a couple of other people have B series 75lber Fairbanks and I want to know hat kind of experiences they are having. I see Farmer12888 is having the same trouble I am, and he is doing the exact same thing. Trouble is, I don't know the end of the story. Did the spring fly out and knock his head clean off?

 

[AKC]

Methinks thou doth posteth in the wrong spot. Perhaps the knifemakers arena?

 

[birdog4]

you have pictures of what is happening?
I have an A

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'm not familiar with your hammer, but just thinking in my head, it sounds like something is 180° out of phase. Is the timing set right?