[TheForge] Air Hammer Air Schemes

Wed Jun 8 17:45:11 EDT 2005

Chuck & Phil,  I believe it was Shannell from Australia that used the double
limit switches to trigger the two position, five way, pilot operated shuttle
valve on his hammer.

I used the two position, five way valve, that has a spring return to one
side of the spool - so I'm only using one limit switch to trigger the
hammer's operation.  I find it works extremely well and found no need what
so ever for imposing a flow regulator on the cylinder side (or any other
modification) to improve it.

In fact - I've found just the opposite of many of the plans and schemes for
the air hammers.   I run a
2 1/2" cylinder at 55 psi, and a 5 way valve with the largest Cv rating I
could find.  This reduces the venturi slow downs of the smaller Cv valves
and allows the air to flow and the piston/ram and cylinder really "bounce"
off the opposite air cushion trapped in the cylinder.  Of course it goes
without saying that you use 1/2" hose and 3/8 fittings to keep flow
restriction to a minimum.  If you've used 1/4" valves, fittings, and
hose..........you aren't getting what your hammer can do if given a chance
to run free of flow restrictions.  My hammer runs 208 beats per minute on
55psi.  If I do crank the pressure up - it will do 225+ beats per minute
(but uses a lot more air) and I don't see the benefit of any more control at
that pressure (which is what  your looking for with one of these hammers).
I found the 2 1/2" cylinder was the point where the air porting was a 3/8
pipe
which is why I went that route.

A couple years ago I had mentioned the idea of building a hammer with a
square tube
inside of a square tube for a ram and guide system.  Shannell ran with this
idea,
used two limit switches and liked it.   In January of this year I finally
put the hammer parts together that have been sitting in the corner for
almost four years now..........and it is awesome.  I used an 18" stroke
cylinder, the same air valve and limit switch controls, and now have a 93 lb
hammer with a 9 inch open die space.  To me this approaches a "Power Treadle
Hammer" in it's operation (as well as being used as a power hammer).  It
allows all my low profile tools from the little giant to be used, it allows
all my old handled swages and punches to be used, I run my clamp cages and
fixtures on it from the Little Giant and it also allows me to work 1/2" x 6"
flat bar on the edge if I want to for furniture or sculpture.

Three members of our club got together one snowy day when one of the
fellows had a desire to learn about air hammers ............and wanted to
know what I had come up with for designs and improvements on the "Kinyon"
plans.
We built the ram and guide one day and decided to get together again and
make the rest of the hammer.  Word got around as to what we were up to - and
we had six guys at the second gathering.   We now have the hammer in running
condition after that second day.  It works well, has lots of control, and
being 93 lbs of falling weight really makes for some results when used.

One of the guys at the workshop came up with the "Tower of Power" for a
name - it fits and the name has stuck.........that's what we call it.

If you dont' have a LOT OF AIR on hand.........I'd suggest sticking with a
14" or
less cylinder length to keep air use under control.  This "tower or power"
is a fourth
hammer.........so it is not used every moment of every day - just for the
larger stock
or higher tools.

I mentioned the idea of a tube inside a tube to Ron Kinyon when I introduced
myself to him at LaCrosse and thanked him for all the effort he'd put into
the plans and sharing it with everyone.  We chatted about five minutes and
he liked the idea a lot.  Someone told me he was making one.......but I
haven't seen or heard about it yet.  Anyone in that area know how he's doing
with it?

I find the square tube inside of a square tube using the UHMW as guides to
be
much faster than all the drilling and brass used in the original plans.  I
can cut the time
to build a ram and guide from three days to a single day.  I've also made
jigs as I went
along in case I decide to hold a hammer building workshop some day.  Right
now - my
paying work is a tad busy for that though.  Winter is when we get bored and
look for stuff
to do around here.

Ralph

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Air Hammer Air Schemes

> Phil, go for a double pilot 5 way air controller valve and use 2
independent
> pilot valves. Much better option.
> Much more flexible in the hammer stroke.
> Ask Ralph Sproul about his hammer.
> Chuck
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phil" <mobjak at yahoo.com>
> To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 11:07 AM
> Subject: [TheForge] Air Hammer Air Schemes
>
>
> > My apologies for interjecting a blacksmithing question
> > on theforge.
> >
> > I've built 3 kinyon style air hammers, all using the
> > air scheme on the Alabama Forge Council web site at:
> >
> > http://afc.abana-chapter.com/air_control.html
> >
> > I'm getting ready to build another.  I've been
> > considering using the air scheme represented by the
> > parts list on Dave Mudge's web site at:
> >
> > http://magichammer.freeservers.com/pdi_quotation.htm
> >
> > Has anyone seen both of these air schemes in action?
> > If so, could you provide your opinion on them (pros
> > and cons)?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Phil Rosche
> > Summerville, SC
> >
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