[TheForge] Fw: Fw: Fw: Power Hammer for Nicaragua

[Jerry Frost]

I've never run a tire hammer but have heard nothing but 
good about them.

However, that isn't the issue in this instance. The 
real issue is a power hammer that can be built by the 
folk in-country with materials available, importing LGs 
or any other power hammer isn't. It may be feasable to 
import or purchase some hard to find components but 
it'd be better if it weren't necessary.

To that end I wouldn't limit a power hammer design to 
any one type. I'd see what I could do about providing 
help building both basic types, the tire hammer and the 
Rusty. This would give the locals the most options to 
design something with what they have at hand. Springs 
for instance, in one village a coil spring may be all 
that's available while in another all there is is a 
leaf stack from an old pick up. If they have an idea of 
what to do in either case they'll have a much better 
chance of building something that works.

Building SOMETHING that works is more important than 
what works best.

Heck, take a number of concept drawings of both types 
with the critical dimensions and parts marked to 
distribute to EVERYBODY. Include a few types of treadly 
hammer as well. Heck it may not be possible to build a 
power hammer but if a buy can knot a boulder or small 
engine block or other heavy thing  to a springy branch 
he can have a treadle hammer.

I have no doubt the folk who show to learn 
blacksmithing are as clever, creative and innovative as 
anyone on the planet so providing them with workable 
ideas is more important than detailed plans.

Shoot, I'd include drawings of water wheels and wind 
turbines too an electric or gas motor may not be 
available.

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

Meadow Lakes, AK.


From: "David E. Smucker" <davesmucker at hotmail.com>


>I don't often disagree with Ries -- but in this case I 
>do.   The tire hammer
> work so well and has such good control.  They beat 
> most Little Giant hammers
> in this area except those that are really really 
> tuned up and have a brake
> to aid in control.  The tire hammer has more room for 
> tooling that the LG
> and it is easy to make your own dies -- something not 
> true with the LG.
>
> No question that the LGs are tested by time and hard 
> work but I really think
> that the tire hammers are in fact better for this 
> case.  After all the tire
> hammer is based on the Little Giant in concept.  The 
> other factor here is
> once you have one of these tire hammers -- you can 
> make more of them based
> on this design from local material.  Not something 
> easy to do with the LG.
>
> If you ever get the chance you should try running one 
> of the tire hammers
> Ries -- don't think many have made there way out West 
> yet.
>
> Dave
>