[TheForge] Blacksmithing, treadle hammer

[Andrew Vida]

Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer wrote:
> I just faked it . I figure that your available materials determine the 
> design to a great degree.
> The recent style trends favor a guided ram instead of a hammer head on 
> swing arms. The advantage is you eliminate the arc of the swing and 
> always strike true. The disadvantage is that the shaft and guides need 
> to be accurate and there is some loss to friction...speaking very generally.

	Agreed, but not the case with a GrassHopper.  It's a really good 
design.  I've used the prototype many times and am of half a mind to 
abscond with it to WV. :)

	Damn... I just put Bruce on alert.