Anyone ever make a manual drop hammer?

R

Railrider1920

Joined
Dec 14, 2010
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Hey Folks,
I got to thinking about wanting a power hammer and the high dollar price on them that I cant afford right now. Right now I don't even have enough "play money" to build a small home made one. Has anyone ever seen or made a manual "drop hammer"? Where something like a sledge hammer head, or other heavy piece of metal, is dropped down into a chute onto an anvil to strike the hot metal?

The drawing below is basically what I was thinking about. The hammer would have a rope attached to it on one end and then lowered into a shaft that would allow it to rise and fall easily. An anvil of some sort would be placed below it on a stable base. Pull the rope and then let it go. The weight of the hammer would make it drop, striking the object on the anvil.

A sledge hammer head could be crammed into a pipe just big enough to fit it in then welded on. This pipe could be inserted into a slightly larger pipe. One that would have enough clearance to let it slide easily enough. Or maybe a thick (2" to 4") piece of plate steel 3 or 4 inches wide and long enough to give it sufficient weight. Weld up some c channel to create a chute. Would something like this work?
manualhammer.jpg

This is one heck of a drop hammer. Think a 10 to 20 pound sledge hammer would work the basic way this one works? Rope to pull it up, maybe a spring to pull it down faster?
http://www.redbubble.com/people/sweeper/art/1089661-finch-forge-drop-hammer

Thanks for any opinions offered.
 
Sounds exhausting. I think an apprentice with a strong back to swing a big hammer would be more efficient...


-Xander
 
The force to lift the ram has to be equal or greater that the ram's downward force. So you will be doing the same as wielding a 10 pound hammer. There are several other problems with your plan.

The proper way to do that is to let the inertia of the ram do the striking in a more controlled manner. A treadle hammer does just that perfectly. There are plans and kits to build them readily available. These plans have been worked out and all the engineering problems solved. Parts lists are a real plus,too.

Another way is to suspend the ram on counterweighted cables. This is done in the "bicycle Wheel" power hammer plans. On this type system, the ram is suspended over the anvil on a steel cable. There are handles on the side of the ram to grip. The cables run around pivoted bike wheels (sans tires) and there is a counter weight system that lifts the ram. You pill down hard on the hammer ram and the inertia makes the strife strong, your arm gets saved the trouble of lifting the hammer/ram, by the counter weight system. This works with up to a 20 pound ram. I don't see the link I had to one of these, but their scarcity makes me assume that they aren't worth the trouble.

On a budget?........Here is a neat build on a small helve hammer made from bicycle parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLCZwN4kxE

There are many other small power hammer plans available that can be built by a good garage mechanic with a welder. The Appalachian Power Hammer plans ( Rusty, Dusty, Crusty) are readily available. This makes a fairly good small hammer.
 
Not quite manual, but I'm sure you could replace the electric motor with a bicycle if you wanted :D

SDC10701.jpg
 
Thanks for the info, links and pictures guys. I knew I had seen a treadle hammer before, but couldn't remember what it was called.
It wouldn't have to be a manual hammer. I do have a few motors around that could be used. Just thinking about if I could build some sort of hammer with the junk I have around the house with out having to go and buy more. All this has led me around to a few more links, pics and videos. Now I have got some additional ideas. If I ever do get around to making one, I'll post it up.

Thanks again guys,
Rob
 
If you can find someone that works around gas compressor stations. You might be able to get a wrist pin for the head. Extremely heavy for their size.
 
cbr900son said:
How much weight is the head of the hammer?
Click to expand...

Around 40# IIRC.

You can add sand/lead shot/ect in the top if you want more weight.

Not arguing which option is preferable would be better but you'll have 2-3X more money and a lot more time into making a tire hammer Vs Treadle.

You could probably turn a Treadle hammer into an Air hammer with a little bit of work
 
12345678910 said:
I think if I spent time & $ on building a hammer, I think tire hammer would be the one.
Click to expand...
Mr 8910, Why would you go that direction? Any particular reason? I'll look around at some of them to see what might be involved.

Cornbread556 said:
If you can find someone that works around gas compressor stations. You might be able to get a wrist pin for the head. Extremely heavy for their size.
Click to expand...
Would some place like Air Gas be a gas compressor station? Would it be the place that actually puts the gas in the tanks?

Thanks for all the additional replies and links guys. Sam, the drop hammer on your post is pretty cool looking(post #4). Do you know if he has a write up on it on the iforge site? I'll have to look around for it.

The more I look around at all the different hammers, if I ever do get around to building one, it will probably be something motorized, like the appalachian power hammer or maybe a tire hammer. I'm really enjoying forging, what little I am doing now. I'm just thinking about my shoulder and knees.
This little power hammer is pretty cool. Maybe something like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iUgy8KFEwU&feature=related
 
Railrider1920 said:
Mr 8910, Why would you go that direction? Any particular reason? I'll look around at some of them to see what might be involved.


it will probably be something motorized, like the appalachian power hammer or maybe a tire hammer.

I'm really enjoying forging, what little I am doing now.
I'm just thinking about my shoulder and knees.
This little power hammer is pretty cool. Maybe something like this.
Click to expand...

Motorized is the key

If you look at the pics of the treadle hammer and the tire hammer
The frame & tup is basically the same.

Just add a motor, bearing and tire, & control arms for full function.


I've been reading knife and blacksmith forums for years & you can see a progression of builds over time by the same people.

forge and hammer
treadle hammer
rusty crusty
tire hammer
hydraulic press

I'd rather use a motor before i wear out my knees and shoulders.
I already creak, click and crack.

Plus I can buy plans and do the build without having to R n D the whole thing.

The videos of the best builds show great control, even 1 stroke hits, or full speed whacking.
 
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