[TheForge] air hammer/Tom Clark

[DoveKnives]

I just got to read the posts on air hammers.  I have had the pleasure of 
buying a hammer from Tom.  I found him to be honest, forthright and generous 
with both his time and his knowledge.  I will be buying another hammer from 
him in the future and have no reservations in recommending him to anyone 
else.

  Now to the better part.  I bought a Russian air hammer that is self 
contained with a tup weight of 200 lbs.  The frame is cast and very stout.  
I have found it to be the most controllable hammer that I have ever run.  It 
has one unusual feature that I find VERY helpful.  There is a lever between 
the valves that lowers the tup to the bottom die or spring tools and when 
the treadle is depressed it makes very lite strokes that increase in force 
the further the treadle is depressed.  This lets me do very delicate work 
under such a large hammer.   

  While at Toms shop I got the opportunity to run and experiment with 
several different styles of hammers and I must say I have never seen more 
hammers at one place in my life.  He also is bringing in some hammers from 
Pakistan that seem to run VERY well too.  I have been using power hammers 
for almost 30 years and have run most brands out there.  I can say that 
there are several very good utility hammers made here in the USA all of them 
mentioned in previous posts.  I chose a self contained because I didn't like 
running my compressor that hard.  I make a fair amount of Damascus as well 
as doing some architectural iron work.   I LOVE my new (used) Hammer and as 
mentioned before I will do business with Tom Clark at any opportunity.

  I will post a photo soon.


Thanks for your time,

Steve Rollert 
doveknives.com