Anyone ever made a power hammer?

Mike Davis

Mike Davis

Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
1,327
I am looking to tackle a power hammer. I was looking at the Appalachian power hammer plans, and think it would be great fun to tackle an improved version of this. Has anyone here done this? I know i will have questions along the way and don't want to look too much like a dumba$$ asking them. I am thinking of doing a 50# hammer( I have ALOT of large pieces of S7 and O1 to play with.)
I want to make several sets of dies. I have a 3" diameter bar of 52100 that is 6' long, probably going to cut and weld those up with some gussets to make drawing dies.

What other types of dies are there? I understand the flat, standard dies.

Do you think a 2hp Baldor motor will run this without too much trouble?

Here is a pic of kinda what i want to do. Then maybe i can forge down some of that 52100....
Norm_Tucker.jpg


Any input is greatly appreciated
Thanks
Mike
 
Last edited:
Sam has been posting some interesting home build design thoughts both here and on iforgeiron.com. I'm sure he'll respond to this post.
 
Have you gone to check out the "junkyard hammers" page at anvilfire? Lots of good ideas there. I like the idea of combining the clutch concept of the tire hammers with the leaf spring helve style hammer. Seems the easiest but still quality/controllable way of building a hammer.
 
Yes I made mine with a friends help. It is air driven and an 85 pounder. Love it. I have the plans and its a great hammer and has given about 14 yrs of good service. Just need a big air compressor. Also have to have a good welder and know how to use it.
 
I have seen the hammer in your picture run and man does it hit. He is working on a very detailed set of plans for the exact hammer you see. He has gotten a lot of calls on it so he figured there would be interest in plans. I was going to build one myself, but found another homebuild for sale cheaper than I could build one for so I just bought it. If there is interest in plans, I could contact him and see where he is at on them. I have no stake in his hammer plans and don't benefit at all so I hope this isn't considered an advertisement. I just know that his hammer runs great and hits hard.

-Mike
 
Yeah i might be interested in a set of plans. It is a great looking machine, and i need to get a hammer, my shoulder is kinda beat up from sports and such so the hand hammering needs to be kept to a happy medium lol.
 
Check out www.iforgeiron.com and take a look at the hammer section. You'll see plenty of homemade hammers. Many of which were built for less than $100..Now if you make one real nice one its gonna cost more of course. 2hp will run a 100 pound homemade hammer no problem. Ive seen several 50 pound hammers run on 3/4 hp motors. The heavier the flywheel the easier it is on the motor.
Take a look at this appalachian style. A 100 pounder that runs of a 2hp. Check out the flywheel and stack of plates for the anvil. It flat moves the metal and is rock solid..I was supprised honestly..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzbmX9ZbD3w
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top