Power Hammer

marekz

marekz

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
1,699
what size power hammer would i need to get to meet current and any future needs. I am new to this knife /blade making world but plan on learning as much as i can from as many people as i can. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS-- HOW PRICEY ARE THEY? IS THE ONE BELOW EVEN ONE I COULD USE? THANK YOU ALL


Astro Pneumatic TS22 Hydraulic Press
Item#: astro-pneumatic-ts22
Condition: New
Availability:
Subject to manufacturer availability [*]
Our Price: $399.99

Astro Pneumatic TS22 22 Ton Hydraulic Press

Highlights:
Heavy duty return springs for fast ram retraction
Reinforced head plate
Safety bypass valve assures unit will not exceed rated capacity
66" height, 32" width, 7" stroke Distance between the minimum and maximum movement
Press bed width 8-1/4"
Meets ANSI American National Standards Institute - Develops standards for USA and coordinates with international standards standard for performance and safety


This item ships via Common Carrier, we will ship to a commercial location with a loading dock or a freight terminal near you for our standard $6.50. Just select Standard $6.50 Ground at checkout. Additional options, like a residential delivery or lift gate service will be additional charges. Please see our Shipping Information Page for further details.


The TS22 includes:
Astro Pneumatic TS22 hydraulic press
Arbor This refers to the mounting shaft (or recieving hole) diameter. They are straight (parallel) unless noted plates

YOU CAN LOOK UP HTTP://www.tools-plus.com/astro-pneumatic-ts22.html
i dont know how to link it sorry
 
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Nope. Some guys have made presses from bottle jacks using a motor to pump the handle but the frame on that thing is WAY too weak. If you cannot buy or build your own, you would be better off reading some of the posts by guys who have modified and reinforced hydraulic log splitters. Unfortunately, unless you can build a press or hammer yourself, you are going to have to spend a LOT more than $400.
 
You can get an air hammer for 3-5 grand and still need a BIG compressor to run it. You can find old little giants for 1-2 grand but you will have to do some work on it..Also, Clay spencer puts on a workshop for about 1500 bucks and he helps you and 10-12 others build a bunch of pretty nice powerhammers. (Look up Tire Hammer on the web)
 
rocketmann said:
You can get an air hammer for 3-5 grand and still need a BIG compressor to run it. You can find old little giants for 1-2 grand but you will have to do some work on it..Also, Clay spencer puts on a workshop for about 1500 bucks and he helps you and 10-12 others build a bunch of pretty nice powerhammers.
Click to expand...

That is pretty consistent with my research on pricing. I want a power hammer, but I think it may be awhile. Is Clay Spencer on Blade Forums?
 
Not that I am aware of, It is quite easy to build a hydraulic press using a log splitter..A press will do anything a hammer can and a lot of things that it can't . I posted pic's of the press I built from a splitter on here a few months ago..
 
I'm not trying to advertise but I know a guy in Alabama that makes and sells the tire hammers for around 2500. They are considered 50 pound hammers and run off either 110 or 220. If anyone needs his info, PM me and I'll get it to you. I bought one from him and they are really nice for the money. He doesn't have email or a website.
 
If you can weld and have the tools to cut metal,there are small and cheap (relatively) hammers that you can build. Look up the Rusty and Dusty Appalachian Power Hammers.
http://www.appaltree.net/rusty/index.htm
They are not going to smash out 3" round stock, but will do some nice work. The plans are available from several places. Do some searches and there is a lot of info on JYH's (Junk Yard Hammers) that are built from the oddest things....like an engine block and a truck rear end.

The book on presses to read is James Batson's, "Build Your Own Hydraulic Press". Even if you are going to convert a splitter, the info is without peer.

Power hammers and presses are great tools, but will not make you a great knifemaker. Many people get one before they are ready for it. Also, they are very powerful and dangerous. If you do not fully understand the operation and principals you can be severely injured or killed. Used equipment should be well checked out by someone who really knows what he is doing before the power is ever turned on. A flying spring arm from a Little Giant can take your arm with it. Clamp something wedge shaped in a vise and it might slip or fall out. Hit it with a power hammer or squeeze it in a press and it can come out so fast that it will go through a wall, or anyone in the way.
Stacy
 
There are some fellas down in Parkersburg West by God Virginia who are building a tabletop style helve hammer. Mebbe Fred Rowe will chime in. I believe he kbnows them.
 
I ran Little Giant hammers in my shop for years, and about three years ago I went to an air hammer from Tom Clark. It was pricey, but within a year it paid for itself.

I have to second the notion about a hammer or press NOT making you a better knifemaker. I was one of those folks who got one before he really should have, and I wrecked A LOT of stuff before I figured out that there is as much skill in running a hammer, as there is building a knife. Even the air hammer took some learning and adjusting to....even after 20 years of running the Little Giant hammers. If your like most of us, you work with what you can afford, until you can afford something better, an so on.

The press is a totally different animal as far as the things you need to be concerned with. Because of the massive forces that come along with a press, I believe them to be far more dangerous than a hammer. A "dinky" press will not do the job as far as forging goes, and if you try using one thats not intended for the purpose, chances are your going to get hurt, if not killed. As far as I'm concerned, a press cannot be over built. My current press peaks at 35 tons, and is build on a 20" "I" beam, which has 3/4" web, and 1/2" flanges, with 3/8" gusset plates welding in on both sides...... although not much, you can see it flex if your watching.

I concur with the costs that have been posted.
A Little Giant in good running condition is going to be $2500+ for a 25lb model, and likely twice that for a 50lb model.

A ready made forging press is going to be $3000+, or about $1,000+ if you build it yourself.

And finally a smaller air hammer is generally going to be $5,000+

Its certainly not cheap to obtain, care for, and operate any of these machines. But its part of the business.
 
I concur with all Ed just said. I've had some Little Giant hammers, andjust kept itching for an air hammer that Tom Clark sells. Knowing that Ed had recently purchased one, he and I traded several emails in the beginning while he was learning his way around the "Sayha" (I think that's the name, we all call it the Tom Clark Hammer). Tom buys these units in Turkey, and has them shipped to his shop where he modifiys them, improving several parts that need attention. What comes out of his shop is a really super nice air hammer. The actual compressor is intregal to the hammer, on a sort of walking beam system. It runs on 220V single phase which is nice. Jerry Fisk has one, and as far as I know he really likes it. Tom personally delivers the hammers for a set fee (my fee was $300, but Tom's been under the weather lately, and I don't know how things are being done currently). I unloaded the hammer with my forklift, we plugged it in, and I was learning how to use it within minutes.
On the dollar end of things, the hammer is pricey, running around $9K now I think. I read a short article by Jerry Fisk where he said if you went to the bank and borrowed the money for the Clark hammer, the monthly payments would be in the $250 range. Now, let me say here that financing your equipment, if you're a starting bladesmith, may not be the best idea around. I've always tried to buy equipment with sales I've made over the years making knives and other blacksmith related items. I had sold off some antique engines in order to buy my hammer, I probably wouldn't have wanted to financed but about $4,500 if I had to, but I was fortunate with the old engine sales.
Try to get around and see some hammers work, and maybe even the owners might let you try it out yourself (take eye protection).
If I was starting out, with little money to help me out, I'd be looking for a 50 lb. Little Giant, or even better, a 100 pounder. These units would serve you for years and years to come. Look at Don Hansons shop pictures on his website to see a fantastic 100 pounder in use. I believe he even has another one on order from the person that sells parts and services them.
Sid Sudemier (sp, sorry Sid) and his daughter Keri operate the Little Giant shop and are really great people to know. They know their Little Giant hammers too! Ok, I babbled longer than I meant to, sorry. Don't jump on the first hammer you find and buy it. Take your time in your hunt. Remember though, the anvil is the only tool that a lot of very good bladesmiths use. It's your best starting place IMO.
 
yes youall are right! im reaching way too far. i havent even had more than 5 hours on a anvil. i still have alot to learn--and i mean alot-- so ill just chill for now and work on learning the basics before jumping in over my head. i just get carried away sometimes--you know what i mean. thank you all very much for your wisdom!!!!!!!!!!
 
Im not sure what tools you own. One thing if you are just getting into forging i would hgighly suggest Ed's basic forging video. Since i have watched i learned a so much, i have since watched at least another 4-5 times. I have done some stock removal and just decided to really dedicate myself to forging its a decent learning curve , which i dont believe every ends if you ropen minded. Im about to post pics in the next day or so of my first fully forged out knife. Pete
 
Center cross videos is i believe the company that made the video , i also believe that you can oreder directly from Ed Cafferys website, it's like 30 bucks or so but so worth it.
 
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