In line Treadle hammer

**will52100** · Nov 24, 2015, 04:54 PM

Just finished this up, plans are from ABANA, Clay Spencer design. Surprised at how well it works, and how hard it can hit. Heads about 80 pounds. I installed bronze bushing in the arms, and changed the plans a bit, instead of using pipe for the link pivots I bored out 1018 cold rolled to size and added oil holes. Also upped the base plate from 1/2" to 1", both for the added stability and it's what I had on hand. Mounted to a 8" concrete slab, so no wiggling or bouncing around. Pics are just after finish rattle caning it, my smithy is not normally that cluttered.

**DIYer** · Nov 26, 2015, 12:05 AM

Thanks will52100! We've added your Treadle Hammer to our Power Hammers category, as well as to your builder page: will52100's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Treadle Hammer by will52100

tags: treadle hammer

**NThrall** · Apr 15, 2017, 10:38 PM

Thank you for the pictures I may have to build one of these

**will52100** · Apr 15, 2017, 10:46 PM

Thanks, I wasn't sure how much I'd use it, what with a power hammer and a hydraulic press, but I find myself using it all the time.

**Marc Broussard** · Apr 16, 2017, 05:59 PM

Good work Will.*It looks clean and mean. 80lbs is a significant hammer. The anvil should be about 600lbs according to popular rumour. What is yours? I'm building a Jerry Allen Big Rusty power hammer as we speak and am really enjoying the build. I thought long about a treadle hammer instead of the one I am building. Material on hand decided it for me. Yours is the one I would have built. Nice job. Many happy hours there for you. Stay safe. Marc B.

**will52100** · Apr 16, 2017, 06:45 PM

Comes out to about 270 pounds, it's basically 5"x1" flat bar and 1" square stock stacked up and welded with the center 1" hardy left open in the side to be able to get a punch out if need bee. Not counting the 1" base plate or concrete foundation which helps. It'd be nice to have a 600 pound anvil, but there is no way I can get the most out of the 80 pound head only accelerating it with my worn out knees. It feels like it hits like a striker with a 8-10 pound sledge, which is just about rite for most jobs.

The only issue I have with the "rusty" hammer is I had build one years ago and it hit soft compared to a Dupont linkage like the Little Giant. It's slower and more easy to control though, so it's easier to use tooling. If I was to build another rusty, I'd probably go for a 100-150 pound head and make use of the mass. The Dupont linkage gets it's power from velocity. I've got a tire hammer with the dupont linkage and it's great at turning big stock into small stock, but it's a little hard to do fine work on it. Nothing wrong with either hammer style, just have different strengths. For knife making I prefer the little giant style, as I do more blacksmithing I find it'd be nice to have the rocking beam.

**Marc Broussard** · Apr 16, 2017, 07:23 PM

I am doing a lot of reading about power hammers and watching every U-Tube video available. It appears that mass is not everything with a power hammer but it has to be there somewhere under the hammer in significant amounts. . On my build, there will be the anvil itself plus the base plate plus the base for the base be it a cement floor or a poured slab. My base plate under the anvil and column is 1"X40"X20" of road plate. Then the anvil itself which is a 27" length of 14" sch 80 pipe filled with nuts, bolts , ball bearings, etc. to the top and then filled with poured melted lead from wheel weights. Then a plate and die holding fixture. Prolly about 7-800 lbs when fully assembled.The hammer is 101 lbs exactly. Anvil not built yet but I have the parts.I should have it up and running in a month. I'll post pics. I would love to see a video of your Treadie working a piece of iron. Got one?

**will52100** · Apr 16, 2017, 08:40 PM

Edited: I forgot I had a video, a couple friends drove down to do some hammer and tong forging. I'm off to the side holding the hammer being forged. https://www.facebook.com/bruce.evans...6856983040726/ A better pick of the side where made the hardy exit.

I did a bunch of research years ago, can't remember but it seems like something like 60% of the base weight could be added to the anvil weight for the 7 or 8 to 1 hammer to anvil ratio. Might be 40%, can't remember off hand. On my 50 pound tire hammer the anvil is a 6" round bar, weights about 300 pounds, 1" baseplate welded to the 1/2" original baseplate, (I bought it used, didn't build it or I would have went with 1" plate to start with). And it's bolted to a 2' thick slab. At full throttle it'll really move some metal, except for 52100, that stuff is stiff.

**will52100** · Apr 16, 2017, 08:54 PM

A pick of me working on another hammer with 3/4" drawing dies.

**Marc Broussard** · Apr 17, 2017, 03:04 AM

Today I'm attaching the hammer guide arm and hammer to the column gusseting it top and bottom, and install the big top spring assembly. The hammer bar/slide is welded to the roller bracket and is complete at this stage. A temp base plate to stand it up and then do all the measurements for the various hanger ons that adorn this machine. You probably have seen the plans Jerry Allen sells. A great help in this first hammer. I will build it, tweak it, and spend as much time on it as possible. Then decide to keep it or build the hammer of my dreams. I will start taking pics of the parts before and after assembly. Will post as I progress.