Do you or don't you with a power hammer

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

Joined
Feb 24, 2000
Messages
1,951
I have a question about making Damascus with my 100 lb Little Giant Power hammer. Is it best to turn it off each time the billet is heating up and turn it on only during the forgewelding, or is it best to leave the hammer on the whole time. In making Damascus I make 7 welds. It takes maybe 5 minutes or so for the billet to heat up after each fold. So my question is, is it more advisable to just let the hammer run all the time, or turn it off after each weld, and then turn it on again when the billet gets to forge welding temperature.
Is there less wear on the hammer leaving it on during the whole process vs. starting it up 7 times.
 
It doesn't really matter either way. I usually let mine run...

The motor will last longer to let it run and the hammer doesn't care.
 
It really makes no difference to the hammer. However the electric motor sees the most wear on starting circuit and highest amperage draw on start up. I let mine run too.
 
I often let mine run while the forge is coming up to heat, too- cold weather makes it run stiffer and the clutch pulley grease will thicken and make the hammer coast too much. I figure it's happy if it's running for a good while, and well oiled/greased.
 
Don Hanson III said:
Just make sure the clutch bushing and clutch fork are well greased and lubed.
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Absolutley!! A happy hammer is a warm well greased and oiled hammer. I like chainsaw bar oil because it is very sticky and clings better than machine oil. I also like winter grade grease with an er additive.
 
Yup.
Some tool freaks that see my LG go "eeeewww....why is it all dirty?"
An oily hammer is a happy hammer.
I don't leave mine running because the motor is kind of old and gets hot eventually, but they're made to run all day every day (at least the old ones are- mine was made in 1927).
 
Bill Burke said:
Absolutley!! A happy hammer is a warm well greased and oiled hammer. I like chainsaw bar oil because it is very sticky and clings better than machine oil. I also like winter grade grease with an er additive.
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Yep, I use bar oil too. My hammers are in a heated shop which is very nice!
 
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