Thread: Sawsmithing hammers

After drilling I use this to shape the handle eyes.

die grinder.jpg

This is the burr, 3/8" d x 3/4" l. It's an inexpensive import (6 mm shank) but it cuts 4140 really well. Only problem with it is that it makes millions of tiny and extremely sharp chips that find their way into everything.

burr closeup.jpg

Rob

I was talking to a friend at work, who is a fitter and turner, and we both agreed that you could justify a small milling machine for cutting the eye in the hammer head. You could drill as you are now and remove the waste with the milling machine or cut the whole (hole?) lot with the milling machine.

Regards
Paul

Hi Rob, not trying to hijack your thread I just thought you may like to see what fell into my hands a couple of weeks ago.
(sorry 'bout the lousy phone pic.)
regards
Joel
WP_20160404_002.jpg

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Rob

I was talking to a friend at work, who is a fitter and turner, and we both agreed that you could justify a small milling machine for cutting the eye in the hammer head. You could drill as you are now and remove the waste with the milling machine or cut the whole (hole?) lot with the milling machine.

Regards
Paul

A mill, actually a couple, are on my list. I need relocate to a much bigger shed first.

Originally Posted by shedbound

Hi Rob, not trying to hijack your thread I just thought you may like to see what fell into my hands a couple of weeks ago.
(sorry 'bout the lousy phone pic.)
regards
Joel
WP_20160404_002.jpg

Great set, a little cleaning and polishing plus a new stick for the one on the left and you have all that you need other than an anvil.

Got some of these tempered and fitted up today.

Hammers made 4-4-16.jpg

From left to right they are 742 gm two faced stretching, 545 gm. straightening/stretching, 1263 gm. & 1222 gm. No. 4 tensioning, 496 gm. & 512 gm. No. 1 tensioning.

Here's all of the sizes of tensioning hammers together.

first set of tensioning hammers.jpg

Interesting message I just received.

New message from: riftvalleymetal (101)

There are a few folks who have always made dog or saw smiths hammers and a few are on eBay. I like your dual hardness testing idea but a soft lead bullet can kill a hard steel face. Reply

Ooooow...

I don't know what to make of that, particularly having regard the US attitude towards guns. Or am I reading something into that?

Very, very weird.

Regards
Paul

Rob

Further reading of their site seems to indicate a blacksmithing outfit. Maybe a genuine comment, if strange.

Regards
Paul

I asked the sender if the message was a threat or a compliment and haven't received a reply. If the silence persists I'll contact eBay customer support. Unsolicited messages referring to bullets and killing are out of order IMO.

He seems to e friends with GStongs who also make hammers.

Just because other people make and sell a product doesn't mean nobody else can develop their own. I think his comment is a threat and out of line.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

He seems to e friends with GStongs who also make hammers.

Just because other people make and sell a product doesn't mean nobody else can develop their own. I think his comment is a threat and out of line.

I agree, but something does not add up here. It does not look as though he is active on Ebay (not that that is the only place to sell) and has not sold any hammers that I can see: A couple of anvils and that is about it plus they were over a year ago.

Perhaps it as simple as a poor grasp of the english language or he has run out of meds. If there was no insidious intent, a quick reply would clear up any misunderstanding.

Regards
Paul

looks weird from here

I managed to put together some more hammers today. I'm trying to produce a number of each type as I've been invited to be a guest presenter at a couple of Lie Nielsen Hand Tool Events. I'm going to demonstrate saw blade tensioning and straightening.

hammers finished 041016.jpg

These are from the #4 tensioning, 4X #2 tensioning, a #3 stretching/straightening and a #2 two faced stretching.

I tried making a video of the tensioning process today but the GoPro software was acting up. I'm also working on an illustrated written procedure.

Yeah, really weird that message, kinda gave me the creeps. I contacted eBay CS and they're looking into it. The sender wrote back this evening with this:

"Information only. I don't know how you could derive any kind of threat. The hardness testing is cool. I hope it helps your sales."

What can you say, we're all God's creatures...