[TheForge] Bradley Hammers, Hammer madness

Tue Dec 24 13:59:00 2002

Ray- is it a strap, helve or compact upright? Bradley made all three types WELL.
The cushioned helves are legendary. The smallest ones- 25-35 lbrs, ran something like 7 or 8 hits per second. Cutlers supposedly loved them, wringing out blades as fast as you could get them through. 'Pounding out the profits' has a great section on them and you can still get manuals from Wallace or machinerymanuals.com. You can still get rubber bumpers for both the helve and compact but for Strap hammer, I'm not so sure. I've heard of guys using nylon webbing to replace the worn-out leather with some success. If it's a helve hammer you may need to laminate up a new oak beam~ Sounds like it hasn't been stored outside though- that's good news.

Speaking of more remedies for hammer madness-
There was an auction this past week of a venerable metal studio in Seattle; 47 Productions. Among other things they had two Kuhn hammers up for grabs. I don't know what they went for but I would've liked to have their old KB-1. I know these things pop up once in awhile back East but it's fairly rare out here. I suspect they went for 5-7$K each. Then again- maybe not.
Alot of people I know are happy with running their Chinese hammers. I know folks with the 88lbrs, the 143, the 165 and 330 lbrs. and for the most part they seem content. If your Bradley is going to cost you thousands already then I would consider the alternatives. Otherwise go mechanical. I would LOVE to have an old Beaudry.

Which brings me to some other related good news- Almost unceremoneously the Nazel 3B roared back to life the other morning! I had been waiting endlessly for more machine work on it and it finally came through. I had the front end back together in an hour and had power to it in 10 minutes.  Let me tell you- If the early tests are any indication- we're in for a heck-of-a ride! It can scare the pants off ya' getting under it for the first time! The loping drone of the gear was beginning to cast it's spell as I entered Nazel nirvana~! It's a damn trip~. The floor was literally breathing underneath with each stroke of the crank~ Time to get it on a pad.

Stay tuned- it's shaping up to be the baddest hammer in town. hee hee~

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: Raymond Miller [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 3:44 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TheForge] Bradley Hammers

Hey Guys,
I have been trying to schedule a visit to a 200 lb. Bradley Hammer for 
sale in my general vicinity. Anyone have any comments on what to look 
for as far as condition?
Any opinions on owning a Bradley versus investing in a "newer" Little 
Giant or going straight to an air hammer? I am planning on visiting it 
this week.

Ray Miller
Metal Concepts
Cincinnati, Ohio

PS Along with the Bradley there is a shaper, an old power hacksaw and a 
horizontal mill, all in original condition as used in a line shaft 
maintenance shop at a mine. Could reproduce a whole line shaft shop in 
my shop, hmmmmmmmmm

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