[TheForge] treadle hammer design

[George Dixon]

Greetings again,
Ahhh, debate.....

"The old abana plan hammer ... is far and away the best hammer I have used.  It is a simple striking tool, as treadle hammers were intended to be."

>I take issue with the last phrase you use.  Treadle hammers were >ORIGINALLY intended to be simple striking tools.  That's fine, and I have >no argument with that.  But the implication of your remark is that to >take TH design beyond this point is somehow wrong or self-deceiving.  >Such an attitude is not a progressive one.

First, I stand by the statement.  Second, an "implication" and an 
"attitude" must be read in to be found.........plus the key word is 
"simple", not "intended"..... some striking tools are simple, some are not.
And, lastly on this aspect, no-one ever has mistaken me for "progressive".

as to the comparison;  nothing can beat a trained striker - period
no treadle hammer can follow a tool-head at every angle the smith sets it.  

as to the 'ol abana plan vrs other machines (having not used a 
"grasshopper")

>The usuall swing-arm treadle hammer 
* swings perhaps a 50-lb to 90-lb ram; 
      True - mine is 80

* hits in various places depending upon the height of the work and tooling (but has a large enough face that it can usually hit the tooling) 
	Nope-the variance in 'places hit' is zip..it hits the tool every time.

* - OR - requires adjustment to the height of the work + tooling (which means stopping what one's doing, going around to the side of the machine and adjusting at least two mechanisms); 
	Nope, the 'ol abana plan is non-adjustable 


* has a fairly limited stroke, throat and clearance around the anvil, limiting the work that can be done on it. 
	Nope: throat = 12" to center, stroke is 12+" and the anvil is utterly accessible (hollow, with a slot to return the drift). I have yet to hit a "limit on the work" it can do.

* costs the blacksmith considerable effort in fighting the springs.
		Nope: The 8 lifting springs are set once, when the hammer is built.  The spring arms are set once, when the unit is built.
The head can be actuated with the flexing of the ankle whilst sitting on a bar stool for light work and layout. I have not adjusted springs in 10 years.   


The aforementioned abana hammer is also very inexpensive, by comparison, to build.  A more complex, potentially much more expensive treadle hammer most likely will not amortize its added cost in added impact value.

Take care,
George Dixon