Working heigth of your old style hammer

[oldgoaly]

Well my power hammer arms arrived, I must say they are well made! Stan Carter is a craftsman! The 1st thing, well second was set them on the column, at the highest I can go with with the upper arm will make my sweet spot will be about 56". Is that about what Yoders, Pettingels, Metalcrafters you have are at? Thanks for the help! tt
pics are in my power hammer album, look under all albums or click on my name.

[anders nørgaard]

Hi Terry,

Here's a link to your album: http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/album.php?albumid=249
Looks like nice stuff :)

I'm 5'10". Just measured... a working height of around 52" would be right for me... guess you'll just have to jack me up 4" if I should try your hammer one day :D :D

[oldgoaly]

Anders,
I've stood in front of a few (about 6) not counting the ones in pcs on the floor in a couple of shops!!! For some reason, I'm thinking it was 5' high??? Now Joel is 6'3" I'm 5'9" and shrinking (was 5'11") Take a look at Rick Mullin's Pettingel: http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6717 I'm just a little taller than Rick. I'm thinking of a 6" platform for me, I have that on my Pullmax.

[SR Teacher]

Goaly,
Our 3 metalcraft hammers are 54-55" to the top of the lower die and seem to be comfortable for most. Our Yoder is 59" which I like (at 6'2") I built a 5" platform for the vertically challenged. Good luck, Gary

[oldgoaly]

Thanks Gary!
After a bit of searching I found the blue prints, 56" is what Metalcrafters recommends. Of course this picture is stuck in my mind, how tall is he?
7583

[Rick Mullin]

Terry,
I really believe that it is personal preference. If you make it too high, you can always make a platform to stand on. That would solve the difference between Joel and your diminishing height.
When building my pedestal, the two things that I considered were sighting the panel and shrinking. It is nice to be able to site the panel as in your picture (great picture by the way). Holding the panel at eye level with your fingers allows you to see the action but also gives greater control and balance. The panel has fewer tendencies to start to wobble. Holding with just your fingers, you are not exerting downward pressure inadvertently but letting the panel float across the lower die.
Height is important for shrinking because you should arch the panel as you are feeding it in and out. With my tired body, it is easier to arch the panel if it is higher. Try both conditions against the wall and mark the spot and I would guess that they are both at about the same height. The idea is to be comfortable. If uncomfortable, you will quickly tire and it will affect the panel.
Rick

[tinmann]

7583

Huh..... I thought I was the only guy who wore a tie when I was metal working.

[SR Teacher]

Goaly, you are welcome.
Yes, that is a great picture.
I think he is a nose and a forehead taller than about 59"!!!!
Gary

[Mark W]

The other nice thing about mounting the arms too high and building a platform to your personal taste is that you can always move the platform if you need extra clearance for a big part.

[Mark W]

By the way, how many of you guys use your power hammers while wearing a tie?

[oldgoaly]

Rick and the gang!
I've got to figure the bad shoulder into the equation, I hate to say it but when a power hammer gets tuned in on shrinking, it would be hard to take those dies out and put in another set. I got allot of work before it is etched in iron, but wanted this measurement to be close, laying on the ground it looks like it would be low! What do you guys think about sticking a layer of rubber (3/4" horse mat) under the base plate? I built a room to quiet down the compressor. tt

[Carbuilder]

TT why not do like I do shrink in the pullmax then do your forming & planishing in the power hammer.

[Richard K]

I see some wide variations in heights of power hammers. Many reasons are offered to support different heights.

English wheels, planishing hammers, reciprocating machines, bead rollers and power hammers are all panel forming machines that require the operator to maintain control of the panel and see the progress of the forming operation.

In view videos of power hammers on Youtube I notice many respected panel beaters operating power hammers have the lower anvil at about top of shirt pocket height. Fay Butler is one of the examples I point out. Looking at the angle of the arms and wrists in Fay's videos, he appears to have a firm, natural grip on the panel which facilitates panel control. As his videos show, some effort is required to manipulate the panel as it is formed. He also is able to see the point of impact very well.

Some videos I viewed where the anvil is higher, often almost eye level, the operator is holding the panel with awkwardly bent wrists, elbows and shoulders. In the case of the photo a few posts above, the man is holding the panel with his fingertips. If you have used a power hammer to do day to day work, you will realize that grip will not accomplish panel control.

I am 70 inches tall, my power hammer anvil is at 55". Metalcraft recommended 56" for their anvil.

In the end, what height you are comfortable with, is your correct height.

[irishpol]

By the way, how many of you guys use your power hammers while wearing a tie?
well I do!

[Rick Mullin]

Perhaps I will take up wearing a bow tie while using the hammer. I have already smashed a finger in one and would hate to get a conventional tie caught up in the connecting rod.
Terry, do we need to start wearing ties to EMMR? <grin> It might help our image.
Rick

[SR Teacher]

Another old picture for your viewing pleasure! Or should I say picture of a picture? Note the safety guards around the crankplate and spring ends. Has anyone seen those on a hammer before?

[Rick Mullin]

The shield over the top is to keep oil and grease from flying everywhere creating old style hair jell. The shield around the spring may serve two purposes. When the spring lets loose, it shoots the shackle across the room (I had this happen to me). Periodically check your webbing. The oil dripping down from above caused mine to rot away. WOW. It sent the shackle 40 feet. The other purpose is to serve as a thrust plate for the slider. It was a problem with the Pettingels particularly and the old Yoders that the thrust load of the shrinking dies would break the casting at the dove tail. I have constructed a similar device for my Pettingels.

That is another great picture. I am trying to find one to hang in my shop in the fabrication section. Too bad they are not wearing ties and the ubiquitous brimmed hat of the era.

Rick

[oldgoaly]

Rick, If Dr. Jim York shows up at your door w/tie and lab coat...a picture of him at the helm of the Pettingell would be priceless. Look in the social group original FormFest attendees for a peek of the Doc. tt;)

[edthomas]

oldgoaly I raised my metalcraft power hammer up with enco's biggest machine pads, the long attaching studs let me put 4 3/8 tubing spacers between pads and base. Shape and plannish at 60 1/2 so i can see through the dies. Then stood on pallet with plywood to shrink. Latter added anouther head to shrink at 56 inches. Im 6 foot tall. If you are ever in the middle of missouri you are welcome to experiment with what i have.

[oldgoaly]

Ed,
Thanks for the invite! Jay Self is out that way. I'll pm you with my number and we can see if I can get out that way in a few weeks.
Don't think I can got much higher with the column the ceiling is in the way. tt

[Pete's Metalshaping]

Pettingell suggested setting the height of the lower anvil at 66 inches, to allow for the handling of large sheets. At least this is what was suggested for the Pettingell 2. That I would imagine is why most hammers have a box that the operator stands on to operate the hammer.