[TheForge] Press vs Power hammer

[Bowie-- Ron Claiborne]

To me they both have a place in a complete shop in a complete shop I would 
like a rolling mill as well .but most of us don't have a complete shop so we 
deside on what we want to do (the MOST )and to do so one needs a 
understanding of what each can do and can not do ,hoping to ride the middle 
ground and placing that peace in our shops

I have both a power hammer -a little giant 50 lb and I have a 25 ton press 
and for what I do I like both the press will at times out work the power 
hammer as has been said the bigger the peace the better the press will work 
in thin section its well work but not as well as a power hammer So deside on 
what you want on what you will be doing with it .

I can build Billets under both and save time with both work great

I like to build the large billets with the press and I like powder metal 
work with the press but when I want to forge out a very thine peace under a 
!/2 " or less I like the power hammer

it stands to reason that a 500 lb power hammer will out work a 25 lb power 
hammer

I have a very controllable power hammer but I have more control with the 
press even in a thine peace

in my case a 25 to 35 lb billet is nothing with a 25 ton press to handle and 
after I reduce it down I may go to the power hammer .

If I want total control in a mosaic peace ill stay with the press all the 
way

with all that said they both have a place and a limit.

As long as I can ill have both for what I do

if you only want on machine do what your doing go see them working get 
information on what you intend to do with it talk to people that have both 
they will be more inclined to see them both as useful tool and they will 
give you better advice just my 3 cents worth


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron LeVine" <ron at ccountry.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 10:37 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Press vs Power hammer


Greetings,

I have been lurking here for a while and have a question that I think is 
valid.

I am interested in doing damascus knife blades. The few that I have done so 
far have been hand hammered and have taken an average of about 8 hours per 
blade.

I have a 20ton press (see here) and am wondering if using this would save me 
some time and effort.

ANy thoughts??? Is this the wrong type of press?

With regards,
Ron LeVine AKA Clueless Newbie
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