Big blue owners I need your advice

blindhogg

blindhogg

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
1,002
ALright guys I last winter purchased a used big blue 155 from a part time knifemaker that was getting out of the business. I have finally found the time to bolt and silicone it down and am wondering is it sitting too low for a 6ft tall man to use comfortably. So my question is does anyone here have one and did you raise your hammer up at all. I only want to do bolt this thing down one time if you know what I mean.
Chris W.
 
Chris, I don't have a big blue but I do have several power hammers and have worked on several others. your back will feel much better at the end of the day if you raise you hammer to a height that you can forge standing straight up with your arms slightly bent. Bending forward to forge not only puts the most strain on your lower back but puts your face and eyes closer to the dies/hot steel. this is just my opinion.
 
Morning Chris,

I have a 100 lb Big Blue in my shop. I am 6'2" tall and have the machine set with no blocking under the base. Personally I find it works fine for me at this height.
One suggestion; put a straight edge across the base plate and see if it is warped upwards; a result of the welding. Mine is. When I moved the hammer into the new shop which has a 5" concrete floor over tamped sand; I put a section of rubber belt under the center of the hammer before I bolted it to the floor. The rubber belt is the type used on coal conveyors. Its laced with fiber and is very dense. I caulked around the edges after the machine was bolted down. It really firmed up the hammer and I like it a lot better than the first set up.
We got the belting under the machine using spud bars and I inch round roller bearings to adjust the position of the machine.
The Big Blues are one great hammer; I have had mine for almost eight years.

Have fun with your new machine, Fred
 
Hi Chris,


I have a BB110. I'm 6'2" as well and have back issues. I raised my
hammer up about 4 inches from the floor level. It sits on a 2' x 3' x 4'
concrete base, siliconed and bolted. I could really use it up another 2"
or so, but it's ok. I added a footrest which helps.

The hammer hits nicely and because it's isolated from the actual
building floor you can hardly hear it upstairs in the house.

Hope this helps.

Bill
 
Guys you have been very helpful, I measured my other power hammer today (Spare tire hammer) and its anvil is 6 inches taller than my big blues anvil. WHich is why I asked the question, I am very comfortable with height of my other hammer so think I am going to raise up the Big blue by 4 inches. Glad you guys are happy with your big blues, I cant wait to use it. Now I guess I need to rent a diamond saw and cut my concrete outto make a new base.
Chris
 
Bill H.
Quick question, did you build a rebar reinforcement cage in the 2 x 3 x 4 concrete base you created. I plan to do the same thing you did, at least the same dims, did you also place the bolts in the concrete, or drill later?
Thanks
PS Is it possible to mix up that much concrete by hand? seems like alot to do by hand.
Chris
 
I poured the concrete bases 6" higher than the floor for both my Little Giants, 100lb and 140lb. Works great!

And I did use a lot of rebar...

PS, I'm only 5-10 :D
 
I have a cement mixer, an ancient Link Belt. I moved it into the shop
addition and poured the base. The surrounding floor is well compacted
driveway mix, fine stone and stone dust.:thumbup:

The base was re-barred, bolts placed in the wet concrete. I lifted the
110 up over the bolts, added silicone adhesive and lowered the hammer.

I used Sakrete bag mix in the cement mixer, holy cow what a goof that
was! Dry sakrete in a mixer puts out dust like you wouldn't believe, and
you can't wet it fast enough to keep down the dust.:mad: What a mess!

Hope this helps.

Bill
 
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