[TheForge] The Grasshopper Treadle Hammer - Final Plans Now Available

[Bruce Freeman]

I am pleased to announce that the final plans for the Grasshopper
Treadle Hammer are now available.

The Grasshopper Treadle Hammer has a weightless, vertical-motion ram
with a 34-inch stroke.  The anvil is free of obstructions in all
directions, including 22" above. 

The return stroke is provided by a small " kickback"spring which only
stretches at the end of the ram stroke (where it is least perceptible to
the user).  In other words, your leg doesn't have to work to stretch the
springs.  

The treadle is adjustable to allow for different tooling heights, and
the point at which the kickback cuts in is adjusted automatically with
the treadle adjustment.  Hence, there is only one adjustment needed
while hammering, and that is made quickly and easily from the front of
the machine  - so quickly, in fact, that it can be done during a heat.

The only other routine adjustment of the treadle hammer comes when
changing top tools.  A weight set is employed to compensate for the
weight of the top tool.  Weights of equal mass to the top tool are
removed from the ram tube, keeping the ram in balance with the springs.

The plans consist of 100 engineering drawings and twenty pages of
assembly and adjustment instructions, including stock list, parts lists
and recommended tools and machines.  The great detail of these drawings
makes the construction and assembly of the machine fairly simple.  

My website has not yet been updated to reflect recent design changes,
but there is considerable background information at that site: 
http://www.monmouth.com/~freeman/bmf/grashopr.htm .  Be aware that the
appearance of the hammer is slightly simpler now.  I will update this
site ASAP.

In the USA ONLY, the price for the plans is $25, postpaid.  Send your
money ordercbor  heck (US$ drawn on a US bank) to:
Bruce Freeman
222 Laurel Place
Neptune, NJ 07753

There are three problems selling out of the country:  The higher cost
of postage, customs problems, and payment.  Customs I think I can
handle.  Postage we can figure out.  But I have had no success coming up
with a means of payment.  (No, PayPal doesn't work.  They want a direct
line to my bank account.  Fat chance I'll agree to that!)  Persons out
of the USA who wish to purchase plans should contact me at
freemab222@yahoo.com, and we'll discuss possibilities.

Bruce Freeman