So Which Is Better fot Damascus

Greg, Just my opinion but I would go with the press. I very seldom use my power hammer anymore.

Bill
 
So, Bill, when do you want me to stop by and take that hammer off your hands? ;)

I have a LG #25 and no press. I have been thinking about building a press lately. Each has it pros and cons. In my mind, yeah I know that is scarey, it kind of comes down to speed vs accuracy.

Power hammers are faster at drawing out billets, but presses have more precision needed to be able to do some nice mosaic damascus.

If I had to choose between a hammer and a press, I would take the hammer. But that is biased since i have never used a press. You can do alot with both; heck, I can forge in the tip on a 1/8 thick dagger with my hammer, don't know if I could do that with a press or not.
 
My dream shop will have both, and a rolling mill:D

And a 10000 lb drop hammer powered by the river that runs alongside the shop, that I catch trout out of for lunch:D
 
I am thinking about going with one of Ron Clairborne's presses. I talked with his yesterday and he is in Knoxville...old stomping grounds for me.
 
Greg, you can't go wrong with one of Ron's presses, he does a great job building them. We watched different makers use one of his presses at his nov.1 hammer in, very well built.

Sean, a press will draw a big billet out quicker then a 25 little gaint, you just need to use a set of domed dies. I use my press for about every thing anymore. Its like you said they both have there pros and cons, but I would give up this hammer before you would ever give up my press.

Your going to be addicted for sure Greg, your going to love it.

Bill
 
If I had a press and a hammer I would never get rid of either. If you have the proper hammer you can draw out the billet much faster and with fewer heats than with a press. Heats can be a very critical issue when dealing with some of the tricker steels. The press is much better for patterning then the hammer. So imoh a fully equiped shop would have both.
 
Well....I ordered one of Ron's presses today....now to choose what color he'll paint it for me :eek:

Input from here on the forum as well as the fact that the press will be quieter than a hammer led me to the decision.

I should have it by early spring....it'll give me time to run 220 out to my shop.

Thanks for all the advice guys.
 
Good move Greg. I sure love my press. I sold my 50# LG and havent missed it at all. One cool thing about a press is you can make custom dies and do tricky proceedures. I made a set just to make a Kris style blade shape.
 
Hey Greg I'd have both (got the hammer, working on the press).

Do you have a link so I could take a look at those presses?
 
Great thread. For me, residential, press is really my only option. Are there any pics of Ron's machine out there?

Thanks,

JOhn
 
Hey John, being residential are you running a forge at all? If so, are you running propane or charcoal?

Just curious as I am in the same boat.....

Doc
 
Bowie's press, per his request:

standard.jpg
 
thanks for the interest .
I have been working with a press for about 7 years now and before that with a 50lb little giant love the power hammer but the press will out work the hammer hands down more work less heats that better for the steel I want get ride of my little giant but work with the press for all Damascus work I like Bill if I had to get rid of one it would be the hammer I can do more with the press.
I don't know how to post pictures but if you would like to see more email me ill send you some
bowie2002@comcast.net
I want to thank all that have ordered one of my presses it allows me to do what l like best working in my shop full time ,thanks to you guys i can do this .
and Fitzo thanks for posting a picture for me
ron
 
And a 10000 lb drop hammer powered by the river that runs alongside the shop, that I catch trout out of for lunch

Now that's a pretty picture! Do you know any area like that?
 
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