Definition

• An industrial blacksmithing power hammer is a form of mechanical forging instrument that blacksmiths and manufacturers used after the late 1800s until current times. This power hammer normally is made up of a frame, anvil and reciprocating ram (or drop weight) that holds the hammer head. Although it evolved from the trip hammer, the power hammer stores potential energy with mechanical connections and springs, or compressed air or steam. It speeds up the ram on the downward stroke, adding greater force than the falling weight does alone. Power hammers, which are rated by the ram weight, range from between 25 pounds and 125 tons.
  
  Steam powered, the first power hammers were mostly used in industrial areas and produced until the middle 1900s. The mechanical power hammers started to become popular in the late 1800s and were used primarily by smaller-sized blacksmiths and repair shops. Electric motors powered most of these mechanical hammers, which rotated a crank and drove the ram. Normally, this mechanical equipment was rated between 25 and 500 lbs. of falling weight. You can still see artist blacksmiths using this equipment today. Later, in the middle to the end of the 20th century, the compressed air power hammers started being used most often.
  
  

Types

• There are two different kinds of air hammers based on how the air pressure drives the hammer head cylinder: Self-contained air hammers use the crankshaft and connecting rod to make the air cylinder pump the hammer head cylinder. Utility air hammers rely on a separate commercial air compressor that powers the cylinder of the hammer head. Utility power air hammers are usually less expensive. When including an air pump in a self-contained hammer, the cost of production is normally twice as costly. The air compressor that is utilized for the utility hammer does its work at a much more affordable rate.
  
  Utility hammers are modeled after the earlier steam hammers, with a separate air compressor powering them. They are also quiet when standing idle. Self-contained hammers, with their built-in air compressors, are as loud as an old-time steam locomotive even when not being used. Blacksmiths have to turn them off each time they are reheating t heir metal, which is inefficient. Both the self-contained and utility power hammers rely on large amounts of air. The best way to save money is to use enough air compressor power so that continuous forging with a utility hammer is possible.
  
  

Considerations

• It is very costly to buy an industrialized power hammer for blacksmithing. Plus, due to all of the different brands and sizes of industrial hammers available, it is frequently difficult to make a decision on which is best for blacksmithing specific items. Blacksmiths suggest that anyone who is going to make this investment should first try out the hammer used by another company or person before spending the money.
  
  

History

• The history of the blacksmith and his equipment compares to that of many other non-mechanized items. Blacksmiths were iin great demand in the early years of Western settlement. Even when industrial forges with large, steam-driven trip hammers were produced, the local blacksmiths were needed. Yet when these industrial forges started making mass-produced items such as nails and axes, the small-town smith could not match the price. Thus, the blacksmiths began to use the newer equipment in their shops. This was even true when gasoline engines or electric motors replaced the steam-driven hammers. However, it was finally the automobile that put the blacksmiths out of business. When the horse lost its importance as a means of transportation, the local smiths had to look for other work.
  
  

Effects

• Modern-day blacksmiths use industrial equipment to make a wide variety of products--such as small, hand-forged craft items, metal fabrications, gates, fenceposts, angles, architectural railings, guards and balconies--and tools for other artists and industry. Although they run huge forging machines or drop hammers, there are still a number of smiths who still use the industrial equipment or forging by hand to create artistic pieces, period tools and decorative items.