Added a Little Giant mechanical hammer to our smithy

After waiting many years I was able to purchase a 50lb Little Giant mechanical power hammer to assist me in the smithy.

It was located at Tyson's Forge in nearby Fritztown.
Some friends and I made the move during an early weekend morning when traffic would be light.
A local backhoe operator loaded and unloaded it. Total time from start till finish was about three hours.

We used a template of the hammer base to mark and drill bolt holes in four 8"x 9" white oak beams.
The beams are bolted together with 5/8" threaded rod and the hammer is bolted down with 5/8" bolts.

The backhoe lowered the hammer onto the template and bolts and then the base was bolted down.
Both were then lifted so two 2x4's could be laid underneath the beams and it was gently pushed into the shop onto some pipe.
The backhoe continued to slowly push to its limit and then we took over by manually pushing and using prybars to yutz it into position.

The approximate weight of the hammer is 1800lbs not including the white oak beams.
Manufacture date was sometime during World War 1.

I ran a 220 line to the motor later that day and started it.
All grease and oil points need to be lubed up and then I'll give it a trial run.

Here are a few images to show how things went.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Harvest Craft Show a success

It was a great time talking to many people at the Leesport Farmers Market.
The weather was warm and large crowds attended the event.
We met new people and some friends even stopped by to visit.
While there we were commissioned to create some custom orders and were able to sell existing hand-wrought ironwork products from our inventory.
I enjoy creating and selling ironwork, but, sometimes when a person is ready to make a purchase, I almost hesitate to sell it because I like that item too much.
Another blacksmith taught me that you never sell your first creation of any product. The first of any item is usually a bit rough and not as refined as subsequent items, the rest is sentimental.

Harvest Craft Fair at Leesport Farmers Market

On Saturday October 11 & Sunday October 12 we're going to be selling our hand-wrought ironwork at the Harvest Fair held at the Leesport Farmers Market.
Here is a link to their site: http://www.leesportmarket.com/
Show hours are 9am to 4pm.
The weather is supposed to be great and we're looking forward to large crowds as this is one of their biggest events of the season.

You can also look for us at their next event, the Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday November 29 & Sunday November 30.
Stop by and say hello.