I know this video was posted years ago. I love it. It inspired me to build a spring helve mechanical hammer on the basic design platform. I ran into similar problems with the guide material. After much though, research and cussing, I found the perfect plastic for this purpose. Acetyl, better known by its brand name Delrin. It's very hard so there is no problem with compression caused friction. It's slick as glass. It's impervious to grease. It's easily machined for indexing purposes. It's rigid enough that backing it with steel plate is unnecessary. I bought 5/8" thick stock and indexed it directly. Piece of cake. Easy to dial in. Just take any play out of the guides so they just touch the ram, add grease and go. Almost no friction and no "wobble". The ram tracks perfectly straight. I hope this bit of info is helpful to someone out there in power hammer land.
My favorite power hammer video. Amazing control and solidity. You complained about the UHMW guides slowing the tuff down because of pressure. I have a solution for you. Swap them out for Delrin or Acetel. I built a tire hammer with it and it is wonderful stuff. Stiff enough to not need the steel back plate and stable enough that it won't warp or change dimensions with heat or moisture. Easy to cut and machine and with a bit of grease, slick as gorilla snot. Cheap too. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Thanks. We made 8 hammers and started using hydraulic cylinders, but switched to air as the efficiency was much better and faster. All are still in operation.
How much travel do they have? Range of thickness of the stock you can work? Say from 1/4 to what thickness? How much do you think it would cost to build one of these... I think it is around $1000.00 Is that about right? Ballpark?
Hello! Thank you very much for posting the video! Could you tell me how much space you have between the steel guide plate with uhmdpe and the wall of the tubing? Many thanks! Look forward to more videos :) Alec
Nice machine, very nice indeed. Thanks for posting the video. What sort of size / capacity of compressor is realistically needed to "drive" the Kenyon style hammer ?
At one point you mentioned using linear bearings on your next attempt. Before you go that far, I believe your problems may be eliminated by using either solid bronze plates in place of the uhmw, that can warm up a bit. Another substitute could be Lamina plates. Try some molybdenum disulfide grease to reduce the friction. It is a nice hammer.
I went with bronze bushings. You can see the hammer on youtube under head redesign. Also changed from hydraulic to 3.5"air cylinder. vid shows hydraulic which was too slow.
What type of oil do you use in your air system and how many drops per minute is your oiler set at. I wiped the rings in my suttle valve and need more info before tarting back up. Mobil DTE ight is recomended but canot find any. Thanks
Did you track the prices of the build? Plus or minus the metal parts? I would like to know about how much the parts would cost.. And how much the metal might cost in a range if the scrap yard had what you were looking for..
I know this video was posted years ago. I love it. It inspired me to build a spring helve mechanical hammer on the basic design platform. I ran into similar problems with the guide material. After much though, research and cussing, I found the perfect plastic for this purpose. Acetyl, better known by its brand name Delrin. It's very hard so there is no problem with compression caused friction. It's slick as glass. It's impervious to grease. It's easily machined for indexing purposes. It's rigid enough that backing it with steel plate is unnecessary. I bought 5/8" thick stock and indexed it directly. Piece of cake. Easy to dial in. Just take any play out of the guides so they just touch the ram, add grease and go. Almost no friction and no "wobble". The ram tracks perfectly straight. I hope this bit of info is helpful to someone out there in power hammer land.
Do you have any plans or data on the air system? All the rest is self evident. It's the controls that make this perfect.
Smooth and sounds solid,good clean work
My favorite power hammer video. Amazing control and solidity. You complained about the UHMW guides slowing the tuff down because of pressure. I have a solution for you. Swap them out for Delrin or Acetel. I built a tire hammer with it and it is wonderful stuff. Stiff enough to not need the steel back plate and stable enough that it won't warp or change dimensions with heat or moisture. Easy to cut and machine and with a bit of grease, slick as gorilla snot. Cheap too. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Amazingly smooth. Power without control is just chaos.
Love the "QUIET ZONE" sign @ 2:22. Great piece of workmanship in the new hammer! Really enjoy your videos!!
Roy Lewis Atlanta, Georgia USA
hi john! congratulations on your new hammer. looking pretty good!
great looking hammer! Lot's of control and looks like a pretty heavy hitter for it's size, too.
Very nice, compact and the sound of it is solid👍
Thanks. We made 8 hammers and started using hydraulic cylinders, but switched to air as the efficiency was much better and faster. All are still in operation.
Thanks, I like
How much travel do they have? Range of thickness of the stock you can work? Say from 1/4 to what thickness?
How much do you think it would cost to build one of these... I think it is around $1000.00 Is that about right? Ballpark?
Hello! Thank you very much for posting the video!
Could you tell me how much space you have between the steel guide plate with uhmdpe and the wall of the tubing?
Many thanks!
Look forward to more videos :)
Alec
this is an awesome hammer! could you tell me where I can find plans to build one like this?
This is brilliant my friend
I wonder if you made any developments on it by now and is there any plans available?
John, is it possible to get the plans for the air hammer with brief notes on changes you would or have made? Very nice work. Thank You!
Nice machine, very nice indeed.
Thanks for posting the video.
What sort of size / capacity of compressor is realistically needed to "drive" the Kenyon style hammer ?
At one point you mentioned using linear bearings on your next attempt. Before you go that far, I believe your problems may be eliminated by using either solid bronze plates in place of the uhmw, that can warm up a bit. Another substitute could be Lamina plates. Try some molybdenum disulfide grease to reduce the friction. It is a nice hammer.
I went with bronze bushings. You can see the hammer on youtube under head redesign. Also changed from hydraulic to 3.5"air cylinder. vid shows hydraulic which was too slow.
John Emmerling ,
The new version looks much better than the box ram.
What type of oil do you use in your air system and how many drops per minute is your oiler set at. I wiped the rings in my suttle valve and need more info before tarting back up. Mobil DTE ight is recomended but canot find any.
Thanks
your power hammer if you kept cutting the metal in half and fold it by forge welding the metal over and over does it make the metal weak or better?
I like this ,and was wondering what is needed for air how big of compressor ,and at what air pressure
5hp, 80 gal tank, 90 psi
Verry good
Wonderfull, build, sirs ! Appears, you've made alot of ' spear ' points. YOUR EXPERIENCE, SHOWS vividly, Sir ! .
Forgers' creed ;;. sleep, eat, heat, beat, re peat.......for heat treat. Chocolate ' treats' after job is done.....
what type of peddle valve are you using?
colosso!!!!
Did you track the prices of the build? Plus or minus the metal parts? I would like to know about how much the parts would cost.. And how much the metal might cost in a range if the scrap yard had what you were looking for..
The head was about $750 incl machining, bronze bushings etc. Total cost of materials about 15-1600. incl the head.
are the hammer dies heat treated??
does it free fall? or is the cylinder pushing it down?
John , same question could i get the plans and notes of changes dunka !
+embarado smithing and woodcraft , The plans are $15 on the ABANA Websitein the "Store" section
what would you sell one for..
Schematic for the pneumatic system any one???
May I suggest using a gamble shaky jake. Sorry for the negative feedback it made me sick trying to watch.
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