[TheForge] Little Giant

[Albin Drzewianowski]

It is important to remember that the POWER HAMMER and   the TREADLE  HAMMER
are really 2 different tools.   There is some overlap,  but IMHO, not an
awful lot.

The POWER Hammer is what it says.   POWER.  Great for things like drawing
out .  Texturing a lot of material.  Working big stock, etc.   Not so good
when you need a single blow.   Remember, a power hammer is generally running
at something like 200 blows per minute. 

The TEADLE HAMMER is a replacement for a striker, or think of it as a 3rd
hand.  With a TREADLE HAMMER you can make up tooling that will line up
exactly:  top and bottom fullers,  swages.  etc.  

I have a TREADLE HAMMER and use it for repousse among other things.  Tasks
that need control. 

Before you purchase or build either hammer, you should spend some time using
each so that you understand the strengths and limitations of each type of
hammer. 

D-ski 
Westminster, MD     
The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mark Novak
> Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 12:41 PM
> To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Little Giant
> 
> Sigh. I'm having... discussions with my wife about the idea of
> spending the time and money on building a treadle hammer instead of
> getting a power hammer at the moment. My business is just gaining
> momentum, and I just got a multi-thousand dollar job creating a large
> hammered window display and a couple railings for a yarn shop, so I
> have to have mechanical assistance to make it cost effective. What are
> some opinions out there? Is it worth building a treadle hammer, or do
> you think I should just jump to the power hammer, since I know I'm
> going to need one eventually (i.e. within a year or so).
> 
> Also, I'm located in Portland, Oregon, so if there are any hammers for
> sale nearby, I'd love to hear about them. I can't really afford the
> trip to Pittsburgh for that $3k one.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mark
>