WIP - Restoring a Bradley 40lb Helve Hammer

Dont worry Matt, unlike a woman a machine like that will sit around and wait to be played with...I'm just moving forward with my 3 year press build :rolleyes:
 
You don't need to worry about how long it takes to do these things. You should see the pile of parts I have collected for the car I am restoring, and haven't had the time to even work on!

Hope you have a better year, and get some time to work on the hammer!


-Xander
 
Just try to do something on it every day, or weekend, or whatever.

Once you leave it for a long time, it takes a while to remember what you did last, what's you need to do next & where the hell did I put that damn thing?
 
Sorry to hear your year sucked, bro. This one will be better by far. I confidently predict that at some point before next winter, we'll be seeing you on here crowing about how hard your rebuilt hammer hits, and showing work you made on it. You already overcame some serious obstacles working on this thing, heck it'll be a snap from here!

On a side note, that pic reminds me of just how wacky yet cool these hammers look to me. It never fails to affect me how the old hammers will incorporate wooden parts as a matter of course.
 
12345678910 said:
Just try to do something on it every day, or weekend, or whatever.

Once you leave it for a long time, it takes a while to remember what you did last, what's you need to do next & where the hell did I put that damn thing?
Click to expand...
Aint that the truth. When restoring my 77 corvette I had A dry erase board with parts to be on the look out for and what I was doing in case I was on a long break from it.
 
Just as some incentive Matt...If you get this thing running...I'll come visit..and get Mike to go too....me, Spangels and our daughters!
Take your time and fix it right it will be waaaaay worth it in the end. Keep goin bud!
Mace
 
Has it thawed out there yet? It being nearly Easter, maybe you can tap into the resurrection energy? This was an amazing pix...

bradleys.jpg
 
The only incentive I need is to get some more time!!!!! Work refuses to slow down (I'm complaining, but not really complaining, if you know what I mean!).

The biggest reason for the lack of work on this ol' monster is much simpler, though - my forge area got nuked by a huge snow season last year, and I've got visions of grandeur about building a serious outbuilding to do it right. If that happens, it'll mean selecting a final resting location for the hammer, and I'd rather not have to tear it all apart to rebuild it, only to have to tear it apart to move it!!!

Therefore, I'll be accepting donations toward the project. Checks are fine, but please try to keep the amounts below $250,000 - I'm trying to do this modestly. Not like Wheeler did it. :D

You're right, though - this project has fallen dormant for too long!
 
Sounds like a ROAD TRIP!!!! Let us know when you have the materials and we will come "help" build!
Mace
 
Finally got my ass out to fiddle with this thing again. Many of the problems I'm facing with it are beyond my skill level, so I decided (only after exhausting myself after five hours of wrestling with it) that it's time to call in a heavy gun. He's agreed to stop by and assess the situation in the near future, so hopefully some REAL progress will be made!!!!

Nonetheless, I removed the helve height adjusting bolts, cleaned 'em up and re-assembled them. Using the jamb nut as a 'knob', you can raise or lower the entire helve assembly with the twist of a wrist!!!!! I can only guess at it's actual weight, but I certainly think no less than 400 pounds. All of the bolts run in their threads nice and smooth. Awesome.

Anyway, after finding that I wasn't getting any further, I cleaned up and grabbed the camera and took a couple glamor photos - here's my favorite:

_DSC2936-2.jpg
 
What are the major difficulties you face? Broken cast parts and such? Nice shot of the hammer ID casting.
 
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