[TheForge] Powerhammer vs Treadlehammer

[Bruce Freeman]

Mark,

I agree with Ries, and I am the designer of the Grasshopper Treadle Hammer.
The two tools are not interchangeable.

On the other hand, if you aren't sure you need a power hammer, then the
Grasshopper offers features that stand out in the crowd - long stroke,
weightless head, hard-hitting, quick adjustment to different striking
heights, lots of clearance around the anvil, holds tools on hammer and
anvil.  The plans are $25 if you're interested.

On Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 1:26 PM, ries <ries at riesniemi.com> wrote:

>
>
> 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
>
>
> I really dont see a treadlehammer as being a substitute for a power
> hammer.
> I know they both "hammer", but they are not the same tool, and dont do
> the same thing.
>
> I have had a treadle hammer for 20 odd years, and a power hammer for
> almost ten- and dont find them interchangable.
>
> I never really found, even with bolt on tooling, that, for hand hammer
> stuff, a treadle hammer replaced hand forging.
> And I cant think of a single process I do on both the power hammer and
> the treadle.
>
> I use the treadle for fine control single hits. ornamental stamping,
> mostly.
> I find it quicker, when doing real material moving, to just hand hammer.
> Now maybe I never really mastered the treadle- but I have much better
> control by hand.
>
> And the treadle hammer just doesnt compare to even a 25lb little
> giant, in terms of being able to move metal.
>
> Personally, I would skip the treadle, and find a power hammer.
> Usually, the NWBA meets are good places to network and find one- of
> the 175 or so blacksmiths at the average meet, there are probably 200
> hammers, and a few of em are always for sale.
> Next one in the fall.
>
> Hammers are scarce and expensive in the Pacific Northwest, though-
> especially compared to midwest prices.
>
> ries
>
>
> Ries Niemi
> Industrial Artist
> http://www.riesniemi.com/
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Bruce
NJ

The total lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is
working.