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• Why a utility hammer?
• How much air compressor is needed?
• How much special foundation is needed?
• Why use dovetailed dies?
• What dies are available?
• Are alternative hammer sizes available at special request?
• Do you deliver?

 

Q.	Why a utility hammer?
A.	Utility hammers are patterned after the old blacksmith steam hammers. Nowadays, a separate air compressor is used to power them. Self contained hammers have a built in air compressor and they sound a bit like an old steam locomotive when they are running. Utility hammers stand by silently when they are not being used whereas self contained hammers make a lot of noise even when they are not being used and smiths quickly develop a ritual of turning the machine off while reheating their metal. Thats annoying and counter productive for the blacksmith. Because a utility hammer uses a separate air compressor, you may place the compressor well away from your forging area so that its running noise is not bothersome. Both types of power hammers use large amounts of air. The key to success with utility hammers in production environments is to use enough air compressor power so that continuous forging is possible.
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Q.	How much air compressor is needed?
A.	You do NOT need 3-phase power to run a large Iron Kiss power hammer in a production setting. The 100, 125, and 150 pound Iron Kiss hammers will run with "one iron in the fire" with 5, 7 1/2, and 10 hp 2-stage air compressors. These are available in single-phase electricity versions. This is intermittent forging--while the iron is back in the fire the compressor recharges the tank for the next bout of hammering. For "multiple irons in the fire" --continuous forging--the compressors are larger: 7 1/2, 10, and 15 hp. To get these numbers when you have already installed a compressor that is proving to be too small, you can buy a second machine and place it on a separate circuit breaker and then unite the air lines to feed the hammer. You only need to run the second compressor when doing the heavy production, saving on wear and tear. Blacksmiths can often find used compressors at equipment auctions to save money.
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Q.	How much special foundation is needed?
A.	No special foundation is needed with Iron Kiss hammers because they are built so massively. They do not need to be bolted down. A standard installation uses a piece of 1/2" plywood between the base plate of the power hammer and the typical 4" thick concrete floor. The plywood provides just enough cushioning to keep concrete dust from being made. Attached either to the plywood or the concrete floor, an angle iron corral around the baseplate keeps the hammer from eventually twisting away from your treadle foot.
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Q.	Why use dovetailed dies?
A.	Dovetailed dies are the best way to secure dies and have been used since the earliest steam hammers used them. They provide blacksmiths the fastest way possible to change or adjust the dies. Also, because the dies are heat treated carbon steel, avoiding welding on them is good to preserve the heat treatment.
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Q.	What dies are available?
A.	Dies sold with the power hammer are either combination dies (about 40% fullering and 60% flat) or flat dies. The flat dies have radiused edges. Suppliers of alternative dies can be identified.
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Q.	Are alternative hammer sizes available at special request?
A.	Yes. Longer stroke power hammers are made. Total hammer height increases three inches for every additional inch of maximum hammer head stroke; weight of the hammer head increases as well. Hammers smaller than 100 pounds are not made, however power air hammers substantially larger than 150 pounds can be made.
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Q.	Do you deliver?
A.	Yes. For locations a substantial distance from Baltimore, MD it is probably more economical for the hammers to be shipped on a commercial carrier and a local rigger hired to haul it from the shipping terminal to your shop.
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