[TheForge] Power hammer Vs air hammer

Tue May 23 17:39:10 EDT 2006

I have a question.

For several years I've been considering the value of multiple valving 
schemes for air hammers where one can switch between control layouts for 
differingwork requirements.  One scheme would be the standard fomr found 
on most hammers such as Nazels where the frequency and force of the 
blows are regulated by the depth of depression of a treadle or control 
handle. The other scheme is similar to that of the Kickass hammers where 
depression causes clamping.  My idea, and hence my question, relates to 
the latter, where the degree of depression of the treadle determines ram 
height.  What I mean is that the ram position would track treadle 
position precisely.  E.g., if I depress the treadle half way, the ram 
would descend half way down its stroke.  If I depress the treadle 
slowly, the ram moves slowly.  If I depress it rapidly, the ram follows 
suit.  The speed and distance of the treadle determines the speed and 
distance of the ram.  Does this make sense?  Thew question, then, is 
whether valving for such a scheme is feasible.  I know it is with 
hydraulics.  For example, the depth adjustment for plows on tractors are 
usually set by positioning a lever.  Can this be implemented using air?

I'd like to experiment with this sort of setup to see how well it works 
in terms of allowing the smith to exercise very precisely controlled 
blows, especially in situations where top tooling is being used.  I've 
seen the Kickass in action but I do not recall if it functions in this 
manner.

Regards,

	-andy

Grover Richardson wrote:
> Yes.  A cheap switch would also be the brake light switch for a 1939 Buick.
> It sees pressure when you push on the brake pedal.
> 
> Hmm.  An addition would be to have a regular light to also shine on the
> hammering area.  That way the area of danger would be illuminated as an
> additional notice, and as an aid to hammering.
> 
> Part numbers like this are useful for anyone who wants to copy the design.
> 
> Thanks!!
> 
> All the best.
> 
> 
>>*>-----Original Message-----
>>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>>*>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of dave mudge
>>*>Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 11:23 PM
>>*>To: Sponsored by ABANA
>>*>Subject: RE: [TheForge] Power hammer Vs air hammer
>>*>
>>*>
>>*>Grover, you are correct about the potential danger of air 
>>*>hammers. Just like a motorized mechanical hammer with the 
>>*>on/off switch mounted near by your air hammer should have a 
>>*>ball valve (on/off switch) located right on the hammer. I 
>>*>have a red light that goes on when the hammer is energized 
>>*>and off when there is no pressure. 
>>*>http://www.magichammer.freeservers.com/page31.html will show 
>>*>you a picture of the light. You can find a light here: 
>>*>http://tinyurl.com/pvjl6
>>*>(www.teksupply.com)
>>*>search for item number LK1505 The air pressure / electric 
>>*>switch that I used is a homemade device (engineered by Byrne 
>>*>Lobdell) from an old air conditioner window unit. I think 
>>*>that Granger has a similar switch. dave m
>>*>
>>*>-----Original Message-----
>>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>>*>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Grover 
>>*>Richardson
>>*>Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 9:25 AM
>>*>To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
>>*>Subject: RE: [TheForge] Power hammer Vs air hammer
>>*>
>>*>
>>*>	Thing to remember is that a power hammer, when it is 
>>*>running, is obvious and dangerous to the casual observer.
>>*>
>>*>	An air hammer, when running, is a rat trap waiting to 
>>*>be tripped. At a meeting last Saturday, I announced the 
>>*>danger of an air hammer.  In that it is armed and ready to 
>>*>go, and the air compressor is 2 buildings away.  There is no 
>>*>obvious sign that an air hammer is ready to work, other than 
>>*>the fact that the air lever is moved 90 degrees, or the wood 
>>*>block is underneath the foot leaver.  Non-blacksmiths would 
>>*>miss such signs.
>>*>
>>*>	Not long after, someone (I leave the name out because I 
>>*>almost did the same thing years ago) stepped on the 
>>*>operating lever.  It moved. Immediately the wood block was 
>>*>re-placed underneath the foot leaver.
>>*>
>>*>	Air hammers are good, but can be a silent killer when 
>>*>visitors are in the shop.
>>*>
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