Power Hammer

indian george

indian george

Joined
Feb 15, 1999
Messages
11,566
I just checkout a 150# Fairbanks hammer. It is in excellent shape.
The face has a patent with Dupont 6-10-89 150#. I'll be taken pic next week. Any idea what it is worth????
 
I paid $4800 for my rebuilt fairbanks 150# model E, it had a custom made dupont stye face on it too. Its worth a lot more though, best built mechanical hammer produced in the USA. After dupont bought fairbanks the hammer style changed, the face/ hammer guides are adjustable to give a nice fit as the guide wears down.

If you consider a rebuilt 25lb little giant to be worth $3500; then a rebuilt 150lb fairbanks is worth $10,000 to $20,000. The only reason its not worth more is because the parts are so scarce.

-Dan

Edit- If you want to take a road trip up your welcome to stop up here and try mine out. Just so you have a better idea of what your buying.
 
I know they are a really well built machine.
Good luck on acquiring it, Fred
 
Go for it IG. You won't regret it, whatever the cost.

Smooth running hard hitting machine. My A sure made life a lot simpler for me.

Ya might check with Bruce Wallace in Kempton Pa. 610 756 3377.
He may answer questions and then again he may not. Cranky ol bastid, he is.
He owns the rights to the fairbanks name.
Also, give Sid and kerry a call , they too can provide info.
 
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Thanks Guys:thumbup: If I can't come up with the cash, I'll put it in the for sale section for the Dude. This guy has a unbelievable body shop at least 6 stalls in his backyard. He has a 1948 GMC Suburban that he is doing up. Chopped roof, suicide doors and etc.:cool: He has a sweet looking FXST too.
 
Cool stuff,George. If you had it, you'd love it!! I really enjoyed the few hours I spent playing on Dans. You should take him up on his offer.
 
Deweyknives said:
Cool stuff,George. If you had it, you'd love it!! I really enjoyed the few hours I spent playing on Dans. You should take him up on his offer.
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Lil Bubba, this would be just right for you.:thumbup::cool: If I don't get it, do you want first bid??????:D
 
birdog4 said:
Go for it IG. You won't regret it, whatever the cost.

Smooth running hard hitting machine. My A sure made life a lot simpler for me.

Ya might check with Bruce Wallace in Kempton Pa. 610 756 3377.
He may answer questions and then again he may not. Cranky ol bastid, he is.
He owns the rights to the fairbanks name.
Also, give Sid and kerry a call , they too can provide info.
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Sid and Kerry who???????
 
Yep, Sid from Lil; Giant. His daughter Keri knows prit near as much about hammers as he does. Well worth the phone call.
 
The last one I saw sell, was a 125, in excellent all original (even the dies) condition. It sold for just over 3000.

as far as being the "best" that nod would go to Beaudry in my view ;-)
 
RMLamey said:
The last one I saw sell, was a 125, in excellent all original (even the dies) condition. It sold for just over 3000.
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Now, that's enough to make a grown man cry.........................

[sniffle,checking bank statement :(............]
 
In todays market, the larger the hammer, the lower the price. There are a lot more folks that can move and set up a 25 or 50 than a 100lb+ hammer. If it were close to me and priced less than $4000, it would be mine :)

Per RMLamey; +1 on the Beaudry, but I like a 100lb Little Giant better than all of em :D
 
I have run a 50lb Little Giant and thought it had good power to the metal, so to speak.

The Big Blue 100 lb air hammer thats in the shop now, is a whole nuther thing.
There is no substitute for size when it comes to putting power to the hot steel being worked.


Go for it Ig:thumbup::D
 
Pound for pound, a mechanical is going to hit harder than air, but rarely have the control. They are out there though.... a local ornamental blacksmith has a 25 and 100 sitting among his 8 hammers, and they have just as much control as his air hammers. I hear Don's 100 is similar in control.

Beaudry is one of the most solid, bullet proof mechanicals I've seen/used. There's a 150 at my old workplace that's just dying to come sit next to my 100 LG!!! :D Or maybe I'm dying to get it.... whichever ;)

All that aside.... sounds like you need to buy this hammer! :)
 
indian george said:
I just checkout a 150# Fairbanks hammer. It is in excellent shape. The face has a patent with Dupont 6-10-89 150#. I'll be taken pic next week. Any idea what it is worth????
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The better question might be, any idea what it's worth to the owner? And what does he value? Sounds like you guys have a lot in common with your love and working on fine vehicles. He probably also appreciates your bladesmithing. I bet he would value the machine being put to good use for the kind of thing it was meant for. I bet he might value it to the point of letting you have it for a low price. For instance, would you feel comfortable offering him $1000? If you can't swing that, or more (should he ask it) ask if he would be willing to do some sort of payment plan and/or trade (I'm thinking vintage rifles, etc).

Heck, after visiting you two summers in a row and meeting some of your neighbors, I'm guessing it is likely you two guys damn near grew up together. Play on the man's sympathies. Offer him a lifetime supply of heat treat relish. (Or offer it to him if he doesn't sell it to you :D.) Heck maybe he'd even be willing to loan it to you to get it back in action, but maintain ownership so he could come and use it.

I'm just trying to think outside the dots a little bit. Notice at no point did I mention your brandishing any of your fine weaponry?! Well, maybe if it was in the way of trading (not threatening!)

So what's the story? How did you find out about the hammer? Is he listing it for sale? If so, what's his asking price? Or, is it something you've been eyeballing for years and he's finally willing to part with it? Or is it something else?

Good luck, Phil
 
Farmer Phil said:
So what's the story? How did you find out about the hammer? Is he listing it for sale? If so, what's his asking price? Or, is it something you've been eyeballing for years and he's finally willing to part with it? Or is it something else?

Good luck, Phil
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On Tuesday, I mailed out the HT'g Relish, on the way home I stopped by this Biker Bar ( Redwood Grill) that I hang at. I am sitting at the bar with a couple of my Bro's and this dude came in and sat next to me and asked if I was still making knives. After BS for awhile he said he has a few things that I would be interest in. So I followed him to his shop. He is not sure how much he wants for it. Gary and I will be going to his shop this Saturday to take pic's and hash over the price.:D
 
I just knew it had something to do with heat treat relish!

A few things???

Crossing my fingers for you! :thumbup:
 
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