Tooling for Forging Hammers
Before beginning this discussion I want to encourage visitors to get the book Blacksmith's Manual Illustrated by J.W. Lillico. Most of the book is devoted to tooling for use in steam hammers. The book is available for free download from The Countryside Agency at this address: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/NewEnterprise/Economies/craftpublications.asp. Most of the information and drawings in this book apply to air/steam hammer tooling and work. My top pick for this subject. Illustrated with simple drawings- no photos.
Under construction. Updated 23 October, 2006
Cutting Tools
Hand-held chasing stamps and dies
The tools shown at left were available previously from Centaur Forge and made in Germany by Grüle. The picture at left was scanned from the same Bill Pieh letter concerning Kuhn air hammers on the Air Hammers resources page: http://www.beautifuliron.com/gs_forging_hammer_resources.htm .
The hand held stamps at left are picked up with a special tong and held on top of the iron while striking with the ram. From what I can gather by looking at the photo, the special tong is inserted through a hole in the stamp and the curved outer jaw of the tong holds the die securely.
Tooling Vendors
Glendale Forge
West Midlands, U.K. http://www.glendaleforge.co.uk/ NO AIR HAMMERS! This manufacturer makes tooling for air hammers! Swages, cutters, and other forging tools for use in forging hammers. Also makes blacksmiths hand tools. Great link if a blacksmith is looking for ready-made tools for hand or air hammer work.
Grule
Frickenhausen, Germany. http://www.gruel-maschinen.de/luftschmiedehammer.htm Made in Germany. Pneumatic forging hammers and tooling for forging hammers.
Updated 23 October, 2006
Page Created 12 March, 2006.