Southern Forging!!

[J. Keeton]

I just wanted to reiterate how us southerners forge. Which is the best way to forge.... with a big ass hammer. This hammer and anvil have a long family history. My grandfather whom I unfortunately was never able to meet used to be a blacksmith and latter a boiler maker. He had 2 hammers like this that he would use to drive boiler tubes into boilers. According to my father he had "for-arms like Popeye". The hammer is apox. 16-17lbs. and draws out a billet very fast.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking,

 

PS: Katrina I am ready for a rematch

Edited December 17, 2005 by J. Keeton

[Alex Roy]

the question is how long will you swing it untill you end up with tendinitous in you shoulder or elbow.

[R.H.Graham]

Tendinitus happening is not just connected to using big hammers, is more connected to bad technique and poorly mounted anvils. With proper technique larger hammers can be used with less effort, if you've taken the time to work up to them properly.

[Ron Hicks]

J. Keeton

Thats a BIGN

I try to buy old hammers when I find them . I have a few 6-8 pound sledges Cross Pene , Straight Peen, 1 Double .

 

Thats a good thing, using something that belonged to your Grandfather :35:

 

 

RHGraham

I have been told that hammer size depends on how # of your anvil . To big a hammer for the anvil will do bad things to the anvil???

Ron

[B Finnigan]

My arm hurts just looking a that hammer.

[Archie Zietman]

that hammer is BIG BIG BIG. if you use a smaller hammer (say, 2.5 or 4 pounds or so) for most of your work you will be able to keep it up for longer methinks, and be able to do smaller things, like the forging. also, it was used to smash tubes into boilers yes? I'm by no means an expert, but a big hammer would be good for drawing out, but for the forging to shape you wouldn't want to go quite so big...

[J. Keeton]

To tell the truth, I only use this hammer for drawing out and starting the my welds. No way in hell I could shape with that thing. (unless I wanted it flat) It has other good advantages also.... like makeing my other hammers feel lighter.

 

I am geting a lower stand soon also. I know this one is to tall by a foot or so. In Louisiana right now there is a lot of cut trees, so I am looking for a good stump.

Edited December 18, 2005 by J. Keeton

[Adlai Stein]

Nothing better than keeping up the family tradition. My grandfather was a journeyman smith in the manufacturing plants in Hartford Connecticut during WWII.

 

I always thought southern forging included the phrase, "hold my beer while hit this"

[J. Keeton]

Nothing better than keeping up the family tradition. My grandfather was a journeyman smith in the manufacturing plants in Hartford Connecticut during WWII.

 

I always thought southern forging included the phrase, "hold my beer while hit this"

37513[/snapback]

 

I just wish my grandfather was still alive. He propbly knew all kinds of good old tricks that whould be great to know.

 

PS: You must of been down south before .

[Jeff Pringle]

I only use this hammer for drawing out and starting the my welds.

 

Unless you're welding a couple pieces of 1" + bar together, you get better welds with very fast, light hits - try it with a 2-3 lb. hammer sometime....if you're doing knife-sized damascus, that is.

 

Jeff, the California Yankee

[B Finnigan]

He's a young buck, he can swing that thing all day long and then go to the gym for a two hr. arms and chest work out. The next day he can do it again. It's us over forty somethings that have a fine collection of ____itises to deal with that keep us from using a bigger stick.

[J. Keeton]

He's a young buck, he can swing that thing all day long and then go to the gym for a two hr. arms and chest work out.  The next day he can do it again.  It's us over forty somethings that have a fine collection of ____itises to deal with that keep us from using a bigger stick.

37535[/snapback]

 

I don't know about all day, but I hold my own. Lets just say my right arm is bigger than it was 5 days ago. This hammer is effective in some aspects, but in others it really sucks. It takes a while to get used to aiming it.

 

 

BTW: B Finnigan I swear you psychic :notworthy: :35: .... I did go workout the day that picture was taken.

[Nick Wheeler]

I just don't really get it. I'm a lot stronger than your average Joe walking down the street, and I can't imagine using a hammer that large with good control and repeatable/consistant hammering. :banghead:

 

I'd bet a wooden nickel that your grandpa had both hands on it while striking.

 

You can do some serious damage with a 4 lb. hammer so long as you have good control and hit it while it's hot

 

-Nick-

[Tracy]

"..hit it while it's hot." Tell it, brother.

[J. Keeton]

"..hit it while it's hot."       Tell it, brother.

37642[/snapback]

 

Sounds like your writeing a blacksmiths rap.

Edited December 19, 2005 by J. Keeton

[J. Keeton]

I just don't really get it.  I'm a lot stronger than your average Joe walking down the street, and I can't imagine using a hammer that large with good control and repeatable/consistant hammering.  :banghead:

 

I'd bet a wooden nickel that your grandpa had both hands on it while striking. 

 

You can do some serious damage with a 4 lb. hammer so long as you have good control and hit it while it's hot 

 

-Nick-

37597[/snapback]

 

I know its a little over kill, but it is fun to use. You just have to get used to it.

 

According to my 1st hand sources he used it one handed. Personaly I haven't seen it, but I belive it.

[Glenn Moulton]

I know its a little over kill, but it is fun to use. You just have to get used to it.

 

According to my 1st hand sources he used it one handed. Personaly I haven't seen it, but I belive it.

37663[/snapback]

Grand dad always said the bigger the hammer the easier it was to keep in the family.(sprouting legs)

Looks like you got enough to last several more generations.