[TheForge] Hammer Height

[Ralph Sproul]

		I agree with Jonathan on this..... I sit at two hammers, and stand at a
third.  Sitting is so nice for end of the day comfort on your back - and
seeing what you are doing with tooling.
	Figure what your going to be making, size of stock you intend to use, and
then set the equipment up for sitting or standing.

Ralph

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Jonathan Nedbor
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 9:25 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Hammer Height


Well, here's my $0.02 worth about the height for working at a hammer. For
years I have set my hammers at a height that allows me to sit at the hammer.
I know it sounds odd, but I find it most comfortable. I will say that I dont
have any large hammers set up, currently using a 70# Kuhn. I use a stool
that is adjustable in height.

I first saw this approach at an industrial shop in Worchester, Mass several
decades ago. They made heavy tongs and sat at a 50# mechanical hammer. I
have since seen this in several shops in Germany. In one shop they had a
"seat" that hung from the ceiling that would allow the smith to swing from
the front to the side of the hammer.

I could see that with heavy work this might not be the best approach, but
for what I do it takes a lot of pressure off my back and allows me to see
very well what's happening. I also find it easy to use tooling under the
hammer in this position.

Jonathan Nedbor


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