Looking for a power hammer...

galadduin

galadduin

Joined
Dec 25, 2004
Messages
1,363
Hi,
I was looking for a power hammer and I found these:
- 10 Ton : http://www.makinaalsat.com/MakinaDetay.aspx?mid=9vTcimufDds%3d (about 1000 $)

- 60 Ton (1977 model) :eek: : http://www.makinaalsat.com/MakinaDetay.aspx?mid=LStzxV%2B7r08%3D (2200$)

- 30 Ton (about new) - with pneumatic control : http://www.makinaalsat.com/MakinaDetay.aspx?mid=t0BHRUPX5AU%3d (2800$)

I want to ask to smiths with big hammers; which one should I go for? Will 10 ton be enough for damascus projects, or should I go for much bigger ones (for example the second 60 ton). Or is that new 30 ton with pneumatic control? What aspects make a power hammer better than others?

There are hundreds of second hand power hammers on internet and some are cheap old models with big hammers, some are fancy newly made ...

Thanks
 
Just to be clear. These are NOT power hammers. They are punch presses. A punch press is a VERY different and very dangerous piece of equipment. The reason is that a punch press, one a cycle has started, MUST complete that cycle, regardless of what's under it. A good friend of mine used a 50 ton punch press in trying to make damascus 20 or more years ago. All he managed to do was send semi-molten steel flying around the work area, across his arm, where it bounced under his apron and down his chest. He's got the scars to prove that this is a bad idea. They also set things on fire 75+ feet away. What was the reason for the disaster? Well, there was some bad steel selection (20 years ago information was much less available), and too much heat, but mostly it was a maladjustment of the press. They tried to take to large a bite at once and it was disastrous.

If you're looking for a power hammer, look for a power hammer, not a punch press. Punch presses are great for the job they were designed for, but can be really scary if misused.

-d
 
These are on the large side for making damascus.
Many makers use the Little Giant machines from 25 to 50 lbs. and find them up to the task.
I operate a Kane and Son, Big Blue air hammer that is more than enough to move most any size steel I am working with. It has a 100 lb head.

One thing to keep in mind as you search for a hammer or press is; its not the pressure on a damascus billet that makes it weld. It is the heat you weld at and the condition of the steel being used.
You can weld with a vise, if the conditions are right.

Good luck, Fred
 
Emre, these power hammers imported from your home country have gained some popularity in the US: Say-mak
 
I'm not familiar with these hammers in particular, but they look like big forging hammers to be sure. My guess is that they'll be very expensive. There are a lot of power hammers manufactured for export in Turkey. If I'm not mistaken, the Say-Mak hammers sold by Tom Clark before his recent passing were all built in Turkey. You may want to try contacting the Ozark School of Blacksmithing and see if they might be able to help you get one of their hammers.

-d
 
I've talked about the 25 lbs model, it is priced at 3500 + 500 $ shipment. Is it too much for brand new?

I have also found 75 lb model from another place. I'm waiting them to return. What kind of dies do I need to make damascus, are they flat or a bit rounded?
Here are the tech sheet of that 75 lb model: http://www.sahinlermetal.com/images/urunler/5-sahmerdan/sahmerdan-teknik.pdf
And here are the die models: http://www.sahinlermetal.com/images/urunler/5-sahmerdan/sahmerdan-kalip.pdf

I guess the 1108 model die is good for beveling, and 1105 for hot cutting... Which dies would you buy for drawing and general shaping?

Edit : Oh my, the 75 lb model is 8000 $... and the dies are 800 $ each :eek:
 
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The Shahinlers look like Kuhn clones. There is another brand out of Turkey called Saya, I do believe.
 
try this www.appaltree.net go there and look at rusty hammer link and then look at the ones people have built espcially the guy from auburn california Norm Turner. what do you guys think about this design??.
 
Thanks Dakota_11, I'll order the plans for "Super Rusty" :D . The new power hammers are beyond my budget range and to find a good used one is real hard for this country... I have built all my forging shop tip to toe, why not to build a power hammer :). At least I'll give it a try...
 
I second the rusty... I wrote my check for my plans yesterday and I just need to get it in the mail...

I picked up a welder today so I can begin working on this project as soon as I get the plans and back from a trip. Can't wait.
 
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