[TheForge] Period power hammer?

[Jerry Frost]

I have to cast my vote with those suggesting an 
electric motor out of sight and a line shaft in the 
shop. Wind and water mills have been around for a long 
time. If the period police get sticky have THEM foot 
the bill for a mockup water wheel so it looks right.

Historically hammers have been powered any time there 
was a power source to do so. The earliest I've heard of 
is a "walking beam" which consisted of a log with a 
"hammer head" balanced on a fulcrum powered by person 
or persons walking back and forth on the beam. Hence, 
walking beam.

Tilt hammers are an outgrowth of the walking beam with 
a water or sometimes wind powered cog wheel tilting the 
beam.

Spring hammers like an Oliver are also ancient designs. 
The wooden spring or lathe was used to power many 
different reciprocating tools most notably the. . . 
Lathe. <grin>

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Peter Hirst" <saltydog335 at aol.com>


I have the opportunity to take over a historic shop, on 
one condition:  no electricity.  This is fine with me, 
as 90 percent of what I do anyway is  hand work  (can 
do my electric welding and grinding off site) but I 
have been hoping to get into some heavier stuff with a 
small power hammer.  Is there any period technology 
(other than water or steam) for say a 25 lb hammer? 
Treadle and flywheel maybe?  Just starting to research 
this so any help is much appreciated.