Beaudry #7 finally home.

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
Well it took me forever to go get this hammer, for various reasons, but its finally home. I took a few photos on the trailer, will post some more next week when I get time, will probably separate the frame/anvil so I can clean all the crap out of there and paint in those hard to reach spots.

Everything is "free" moving, can turn the clutch over by hand and move the ram so thats a good sign. The sow block key is also free so removing the sow block should be easy enough. Only big issue is the motor, which is just "stuck", havent tried too hard to free it up yet, will do so next week. I actually found an original 7.5 hp 900 rpm GE motor, rebuilt, over the weekend but the shop was closed so I have to wait till monday to see if its available.

Enough rambling, here are a few quick photos, more to follow in this thread as I progress with clean up, and installation.
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Notice the tie down strap almost cut in 2, for future reference I think chains would be more reliable.

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Here are some of the "extras" that came with the hammer, a really good set of combo's that look new, and a set that the lower has been modified to what appears to be a chisel point. I will weld that one up and reface.
Also notice the rebuild/bushing kit, kinda unique.


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the "good" set of dies is 6" deep, nice heavy set.

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More photos to follow as progress is made.
 
Very nice. Jim Fecteau up in Vermont has one of those and uses it for his professional blacksmithing operation. It's a workhorse hammer , and with the adjustments you can make you can to the strike length are great for allowing you to adjust the blow to the stock size you are using.
 
thanks all, and yes Don I am very excited to get it set up, I plan on having it set up within a few months.

deker, the #7 has a 200 lb. ram, the #8 is a 250.
 
wow... dude, that is one of the best mechanicals
very cool... you'll love it

Greg:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Matt, that is a great hammer. The Beudry was considered the only mechanical that was close to being equal to the utility steam hammers.
 
thanks all, Sam in my view the Beaudry is the best mechanical made, I had a Bradley for a while but never even set it up as it was WAY heavy and would take up about 1/2 again as much floor space as this Beaudry.

Ive had a chance to use some of the currently produced air hammers, and wouldnt trade this Beaudry for ANY of them.

The only air hammers I would like to have would be a Nazel, Champersburg, or Massey.
 
Don Hanson might have something to say about that statement :D

I remember those Bradley's you got, I still regret not having the money but that would be alot of space ate up.
 
HI Sam, im not berating the Little Giants, I think they are good hammers and have found happy homes for quite a few. The fact that you can still get most any part for them, and there is a HUGE knowledge base out there for the LG is very valuable. Matter of fact for a persons "first" hammer or if they arent REALLY into hammers and dont want to spend a BUNCH of time chasing down or making parts I would say the Little Giant is the one to get.

Folks may like different hammers for different reasons, for me its a matter of design, construction, work range, controllability, on those criteria I dont think the Beaudry has an equal in mechanical hammers.
 
Nice looking lil' striker you got there, Matt. If you didn't live some place so damn hot I'd consider coming to visit. :barf:

Got our first dusting of snow this morning... you're welcome to visit any time, as I know how much you dig our weather!:D
 
Wow that is a really nice looking hammer. I have a 100lb Beaudry and I love it. It works like a dream though I have not done any rebuilding of it. I had to put on the dies and adapt the shop made clutch. I came across a shop that had 5. 2 -150, 2-300's and a 500. The 500 was sitting in the corner gathering dust. i asked if he would sell it and it was an emphatic NO. Have fun.

Get it HOT and hit it HARD
 
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By the way, I have an original catalog that shows all the hammers. If you would like a copy drop me a line and I will send it to you.
 
Chuck I would love a copy of that catalog, I have one but it doesnt show much, it does mention that "American Bridge" was one of Beaudrys "discriminating" buyers, thats where this hammer came from.
 
This one does not tell much either. When I got mine I called Barbour Stockwell and they sent me a copy of what they had (same as the what I had). Yes they were still in business ans still had the same phone number. Anyway my first blacksmithing mentor had this original catalog so he was gracious enough to give it to me. Anyhow it's like 5 pages but you can have a copy. It sounds like you might already have one. I have been confused as this one does not list anything other than the 100, 150, 300 and 500lbers. This is the first I have seen, on another site, the actual listing of other hammers weights. Oh well we learn something new every day. You can pm me if you want me to send you a copy.
 
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When I called BSC they were shocked that someone would actually buy a hammer that was discontinued in the 40's. I wish the blacksmith who had all those others would have let go of one of his. He just did not want anyone in the area to be in competition with him. And he only used one on a regular basis. The others were rusting and foundations crumbling. If I still lived there I would be bugging him but it's just too far to try and make any deals.
 
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