Buying a used power hammer, things to look for?

T

Travis Fry

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Jun 11, 2010
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I found what seems to be a good deal on a 25lb Moloch. What should I look for when I inspect the machine before purchase? Any particular problem areas?

Thanks!
 
I don't know much about power hammers myself but I am also in the market for one. If you don't mind can you give us a ballpark on what a good deal is? I've seen them from a grand or two to over 6k. I simply don't see enough of them to get a good idea of pricing.

As far as what to check I would look at basic stuff like play in bearings and make sure the tensioning wheel works (no doubt there is a proper term for this, that I do not know!). That and cracks, I have seen several people post photos of used ones they found with large and small cracks in the main frame that could be problematic.

Post pictures if you buy it!
 
Will do. The guy claims it's in good working condition with no cracks, but the motor got stolen so it needs one. He's asking $500, which is a steal if it really is in good shape.
 
I paid $1700 for 25#LG in good working order a few years ago, my buddy just got one yesterday for $2500. Look for slop in the guides, bearings ect. Look for cracks in the die dove tails. Almost everthing can rebuilt by a machinist on them. The bearing a on the LG are babbit, so if you can find an old timer, he can report them easy! Good deal! Probably weighs about 900 pounds, so hope he has something to load it.
 
Unless is has a MAJOR problem, I'd have bought it yesterday at that price! Make sure to post pics of it... I haven't seen many of the Moloch hammers.
 
Just talked to the guy on the phone. Says his shop has had it for 5 years and they've only used it once, and there weren't any apparent cracks anywhere. He also said it ran fast, but that's all adjustable. Problem is going to be moving it. I can get a trailer, but otherwise am unequipped. Suggestions?
 
Get an engine hoist/shop crane to pick it onto and off of the trailer with, or get a tilt-deck trailer, put the machine on a pallet, tilt the trailer, and winch, come along, or chain hoist the machine (rolling on a pallet jack) up onto the deck and lash it down. If you can't get the machine on a pallet, it can be moved around and dragged onto the trailer with three or even two rollers of 3/4" pipe. I like 3/4" pipe as it's fairly strong, rolls OK, but is not so big the the machine tilts a lot if it falls off a roller.

The only problem with an engine hoist is that sometimes it's footprint won't quite hug a machine, but there are ways of getting around that. That little #25 shouldn't be too hard at around 1000 lbs, that's about like my metal lathe and I can just about walk that thing around the neighborhood for exercise on an engine hoist...

Forklifts and tractors are of course very nice to use if you can wangle one from someone.

Also, watch some machinery moving videos on Youtube for ideas. Plenty of guys using rollers and tilt trailers there.
 
At a 1000lb I would rent a drop bed trailer and just roll it on to that. They can be rented pretty cheap from sunbelt, I want to say under 50$ a day. Nick Wheeler has a video of one, the bed literally drops to ground level.

I'm with Salem, for 500$ I would have just bought it. That is a steal.
 
Drop bed trailer. Good idea! I'm going to go check it out Thursday or Friday, and hopefully will pick up this weekend. I think I've decided to get it, now I just have to decide whether to keep it or flip it for cash.

It's exactly what I wanted, just about 5 years too early. I don't have a lot of room, and my neighbors may not like me much if I'm pounding away in the suburbs. I have a suspicion that I may fall in love though.
 
The guy looked it over. Turns out it's a 50lb not a 25lb. Looks like I have to figure out where to put it.
 
When I moved my 800 pound planer I called my friend with a rollback. made it real easy.

Good luck with the hammer
 
Yep, 1900ish with no motor. A 50 has a wider base that sucks for an engine hoist. Rollers and a tilt deck or drop bed trailer will probably be best in that case.
I got my LG#50 for $500 too! Total basket case but completely worth rebuilding, you'll fall in love with it and if you sell it you'll kick yourself.
 
I am rebuilding a 50 right now. I paid $800 for it. I'm doing a full rebuild so I have about another thousand in it and will most likely spend another $500 when it's all said and done.

You may never find one at this price so near your home again. Buy it! Rebuild it! Use it!

Also, order the "rebuilding the Little Giant Power Hammer video's. The hammers are very similar and these will save you a ton of time and head scratching.
 
I'm a bit concerned that the Molochs aren't quite as easy to find parts for as the LGs. I know some parts are interchangeable, but the Wisconsin versions just weren't as common. Thoughts?
 
Hauling problem solved. The bastard sold it out from under me for more money after we'd made an agreement.
 
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