power hammer opinions

[jdm61]

If you were going to buy any reasonably sized power hammer (50-150 pound range) what would it be and why? For those of you who already own a hammer, which type of diess do you use the most?

 

[JCaswell]

I have a small air hammer (approx 20 lb) and a 50 lb little giant.
I use it mostly for 'planishing' after dong the heavy lifting (welding and drawing) with the press.
I use flat dies for that, of course.

 

[deker]

If you were going to buy any reasonably sized power hammer (50-150 pound range) what would it be and why? For those of you who already own a hammer, which type of diess do you use the most?

Hands down, an Iron Kiss hammer from John Larson. It's not a cheap proposition, but it is cheaper than the Big Blu or Tom Clark hammers and offers a better mix of features and control IMO. I haven't had the chance to personally run a Big Blu, but I do know that folks who have them have consulted with John to have him help fix issues they were having with their Big Blu hammers. I've seen the Tom Clark hammers run, and they are indeed very nice, but the Iron Kiss has some nice features (clamping, adjustable stroke height, etc) that you don't get with Tom's hammers.

I HAVE used John's hammers as he is a member of my blacksmith guild and loans us a couple every year for our yearly hammer-in. They offer excellent control, are built like battleships, can be taken down into pieces small enough to be carried by two men (a really nice feature if you have a small or odd shop setup that doesn't allow for cranes, etc), and have an excellent anvil to hammer ratio of around 15:1 I think.

If you're looking for a hammer, and have some budget for it, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not at least call John and talk to him. He has been researching and building air hammers for many, many years and he's built what I (and many other folks) consider to be a best-of-breed air hammer.

That's my $.02 anyways....I can't afford one of his hammers. My little 30# Kerrhard keeps on tickin' though

-d

 

[jdm61]

Hands down, an Iron Kiss hammer from John Larson. It's not a cheap proposition, but it is cheaper than the Big Blu or Tom Clark hammers and offers a better mix of features and control IMO. I haven't had the chance to personally run a Big Blu, but I do know that folks who have them have consulted with John to have him help fix issues they were having with their Big Blu hammers. I've seen the Tom Clark hammers run, and they are indeed very nice, but the Iron Kiss has some nice features (clamping, adjustable stroke height, etc) that you don't get with Tom's hammers.

I HAVE used John's hammers as he is a member of my blacksmith guild and loans us a couple every year for our yearly hammer-in. They offer excellent control, are built like battleships, can be taken down into pieces small enough to be carried by two men (a really nice feature if you have a small or odd shop setup that doesn't allow for cranes, etc), and have an excellent anvil to hammer ratio of around 15:1 I think.

If you're looking for a hammer, and have some budget for it, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not at least call John and talk to him. He has been researching and building air hammers for many, many years and he's built what I (and many other folks) consider to be a best-of-breed air hammer.

That's my $.02 anyways....I can't afford one of his hammers. My little 30# Kerrhard keeps on tickin' though

-d

Isn't the Iron Kiss the predecessor to the Phoenix hammers? I didn't know that they were still being made. The link is dead.
edit.......it's Ironkishammers with an "s"

 

[deker]

Isn't the Iron Kiss the predecessor to the Phoenix hammers? I didn't know that they were still being made. The link is dead.
edit.......it's Ironkishammers with an "s"

Nope, that was the Bull Hammers. I mistyped the link. Try this link.

I've fixed the old one as well.

-d

 

[Don Hanson III]

Glad to see you're lookin into a power hammer, Joe.

I don't know anything about the Iron Kiss. Sounds like a good hammer but it sure is ugly

My first choice would be a 100 lb Little Giant, because they just work so damn good and I've had mine 10 years. No air and no noise except when striking.

Second would be a Tom Clark 110# hammer. Very good hammer, I've used a number of them at other's shops and have demonstrated on a few. Really, a very nice working hammer.

If I had to go with a smaller hammer, it would be a 25 lb Little Giant. Just a good hammer that runs like a machine gun

Don't care for the 50 LG's I've run. They don't seem to do twice the work of a 25 and are no comparison to the 100.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

I have had my Big Blue 100lb air hammer since2003 and believe it to be a fine machine. I use a combination die, half is flat the other half is convex. You can draw and flatten as needed.
Working in conjunction with a R. Claiborne 25 ton press the sky is the limit.
Fred

 

[Don Hanson III]

Forgot to add, I like flat dies (3"x6") with a very slight bevel across the front and back and all corners, edges rounded off.

The 25 also has a very small foot print.

Here's a few pics of mine.

 

[jdm61]

Glad to see you're lookin into a power hammer, Joe.

I don't know anything about the Iron Kiss. Sounds like a good hammer but it sure is ugly

My first choice would be a 100 lb Little Giant, because they just work so damn good and I've had mine 10 years. No air and no noise except when striking.

Second would be a Tom Clark 110# hammer. Very good hammer, I've used a number of them at other's shops and have demonstrated on a few. Really, a very nice working hammer.

If I had to go with a smaller hammer, it would be a 25 lb Little Giant. Just a good hammer that runs like a machine gun

Don't care for the 50 LG's I've run. They don't seem to do twice the work of a 25 and are no comparison to the 100.

The prblem I would have with a larger Little Giant is that I'm not going to be in he postion to build a special foundation. That makes air hammers like the Phoenix, Iron Kiss, Big Blu etc attractive in that you don't have to build a pad for them. . I would be using the hammer primarily for drawing out stock one it is stomped down to around 3/4 thick and for actually forging blades. Any heavy lifting can be done with the press. Is a 25 lb LG or a 30 lb Kerrihard big enough for those tasks? Anyang also makes a 33 pound air hammer that I have heard is a good subsitute for the 25 and maybe even the 50 pound LG's.

 

[jmwands]

Well I am certainly no expert, but I will add that I really like my #25 LG. I find it a great tool for forging from small round/square or bar stock. Mine seems to have plenty of control and flexibility as far as speed and strike force. Plus it was very cheap in comparison.
this is all just the opinion of a rank amateur.
jm

 

[Don Hanson III]

The prblem I would have with a larger Little Giant is that I'm not going to be in he postion to build a special foundation. That makes air hammers like the Phoenix, Iron Kiss, Big Blu etc attractive in that you don't have to build a pad for them. . I would be using the hammer primarily for drawing out stock one it is stomped down to around 3/4 thick and for actually forging blades. Any heavy lifting can be done with the press. Is a 25 lb LG or a 30 lb Kerrihard big enough for those tasks? Anyang also makes a 33 pound air hammer that I have heard is a good subsitute for the 25 and maybe even the 50 pound LG's.

I would want a concrete foundation for a 100 lb or larger Little Giant. Not nesisery for a 25, mine's just bolted to a stack of plywood, see pic.

I know very little about the Chinese hammers.

A 25 LG will make very quick work of 1" or less rd/sq stock, I've forged 2" with mine.

Tom Clark provides an oak base for his hammers and most just set it on the concrete floor. And remember, no compressor needed for the Clark hammers :thumbup:

 

[JCaswell]

I have a friend running a 100 pound on a large wood base with no troubles.

I mounted my 50-pound on a big 3/4-inch steel plate (30 x 48) that rides on 1-inch plywood over 3/4-inch rubber (horse-trailer liner). It's constrained by rubber-cushioned mounts that go into the concrete floor to prevent it from 'walking.'
Works great.
I don't think you need to worry about a special foundation.

 

[jdm61]

I have a friend running a 100 pound on a large wood base with no troubles.

I mounted my 50-pound on a big 3/4-inch steel plate (30 x 48) that rides on 1-inch plywood over 3/4-inch rubber (horse-trailer liner). It's constrained by rubber-cushioned mounts that go into the concrete floor to prevent it from 'walking.'
Works great.
I don't think you need to worry about a special foundation.

I was going by what the folks who made the LG's used to recommend. 21 inches if reiniforced concrete with threaded studs going 18 inches down into the slab Anyone know what the folks in Nebraska get for a reconditioned 25 pounders?

 

[Don Hanson III]

I was going by what the folks who made the LG's used to recommend. 21 inches if reiniforced concrete with threaded studs going 18 inches down into the slab Anyone know what the folks in Nebraska get for a reconditioned 25 pounders?

I built my base like that, nice and solid The hammer hits harder on this foundation than it did when bolted to a 1" thick 3'x5' steel plate siting on dirt.

100 lb LG will work on a wood base but they are kind a big and tall and need to be bolted down real good.

If I were not so familiar with Little Giants and didn't have two, I would get a Tom Clark hammer and would be very happy with it.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Anyone know what the folks in Nebraska get for a reconditioned 25 pounders?

I bought my 25 from Sid at LG for $3400 back in 01. I had rebuilt a 25 a few years before and wasn't happy with it.

 

[jdm61]

I bought my 25 from Sid at LG for $3400 back in 01. I had rebuilt a 25 a few years before and wasn't happy with it.

That is pretty reasonable. And I understand that Sid is giving you a hammer that is at least as good as when it left the factory. How much does a 25 pounder weigh? I would have to have it shipped a bit farther than you did

 

[birdog4]

I recently put a 50# Fairbanks together. A real hard hitter
For a base I sunk a 3 ft hole and crisscrossed bridge ties 4 deep then a top layer of white ash. I was concerned because of the sandy soil. I think it made a difference.

 

[Don Hanson III]

That is pretty reasonable. And I understand that Sid is giving you a hammer that is at least as good as when it left the factory. How much does a 25 pounder weigh? I would have to have it shipped a bit farther than you did

When Sid rebuilds a hammer, it is much better than it was when new. From the factory, all holes were drilled oversize for ease of assembly. Sid had to rebuild 6 or 8 new/old 100# LG's that he bought, still in the crates, never used just put together sloppy.

25 LG weights 880 lbs without motor, probably 950 lbs with motor and mount.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Joe,

Whatever you end up with, will be a great addition to your shop. You'll still use your arm power but not enough to where it feels like it is falling off.
Everyone here who has a power hammer, can tell you a story about the 3lb hammer flying across the shop, when their tired hand would not grip it anymore. Two days, spent pounding a section of, one inch, bar stock into a blade is something you do not forget, easily.

Enjoy, Fred

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

In comparison, my newly re-built 50# LG weighs 1800 pounds.
I've been following this thread and had a humorous thought yesterday.
Ever hear the old question "What's the best Survival knife"?
Answer: It's the one you have in your pocket at the time!
This is NOT meant to make fun of anyone AT ALL!
Ask 20 different knife makers what the best power hammer to have is, and I'll bet 19 of them tell you the one they have in their shop!
And they are ALL correct!
Ever try to beat down a John Deere Load Shaft 1 1/4" diameter with one hand and a 6 pound sledge? After about 20 minutes of that, you would gladly take ANY! power hammer!
They're ALL GOOD!!
25, 50, 100, electric, pnuematic, air, it doesn't matter!
Anything's better than beating yourself into insanity.

Joe Mandt, I'll be going to Sid's on Friday to pick up my 50#. I'd be happy to inquire for you as to the availability of 25#s and even take a few pics if you like! No charge!