Subject: Re: Kinyon Hammer

From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 11:18:32 -0500

I built an air hammer a couple of years ago based on the Kinyon design.  It
was originally intended  as a prototype because I was certain that I would
have to make corrections, since I knew nothing about fluid control systems.
 Well, as it turned out, I'm still using the original which at first had a
thirty five pound ram.  Later I modified it to accept a sixty five pound ram
and it's an absolute sweetheart.  There are some wonderful advantages to a
shop built hammer that I haven't seen on the other larger ones, there are
disadvantages too, but for the cost, I can live with that.  Kinyons basic
design is so well thought out because it clearly shows what is important in
terms of components, yet leaves open the option of customizing the basic unit
according to your needs or available material.  I don't think it's quite as
easy (for some) to build as it seems, unless your arc welding technique is up
to snuff, but the key structural components could be sent to another shop for
structural welding if necessary.  I never trusted mig welding for structural
work and only use the arc welder for that, but others may have a different
experience with the mig.  On the other hand, there are other major components
that can be drilled and tapped using hardened machine bolts, which is what I
did, and the machine is pretty secure.  Occassionally, the bolts need to be
checked and tightened after a period of heavy work, but so far, that hasn't
presented any problem.  When possible, I'd reccommend a bolt together
solution for some of the key components, simply because you can obtain better
accuracy with alignment etc. That can reduce the concern for warping during
the welding process.  I'd be glad to share any experience I have with this
hammer if you're interested.  Lately I picked up a couple of new small
cylinders and built an experimental one shot hammer to be used for incising
work, (re. G. Dixon's application for the treadle hammer).  This unit is
compact and portable, has an adjustable head that slides on a 2" sq. column
and has potential as a useful tool.  I'm trying to work out how to regulate
the downthrow via the foot pedal which is probably not too difficult to do.
 If I can develop a safe design, I'd be happy to publish it in the Anvil's
Ring, but I'm really concerned about providing an opportunity for a lawyers
holiday treat, if someone misuses this thing.  If it isn't exactly
bulletproof, (there's always potential for injury, no matter what), then I
may be reluctant to publicly publish the design.  It's unbelievably simple
and I'll try to find a way to share this without incurring a liability risk.
 By the way, it's all for free, no patents etc.!  Anybody, I mean, anybody
can build this thing, without any intimidating techniques required.  It's
basically a drop hammer, with an on and off foot pedal.  There! I did it, an
unattributable hint that may be helpful.  By the way, I thought that Ron
Kinyon touched on the subject at the St. Louis conference, but his approach
wasn't clear to me at the time.  I thought he had a way of regulating the
regular air hammer for controlled one shot use but I'm not sure.  Does
anybody know anything about this?  It would be nice at times to have the
single hammer perform two functions, though I would never want to use it for
incising with my hands under the ram.
Chris Ray

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 19:53:41 -0500

I think a number of people have expressed an interest in having a
"one-shot" shop made hammer (i.e. when you press a pedal it hits one blow and
then recovers when you take your foot off of the pedal).  I have seen a very
nice one-shot hammer at Cal Boyles shop in Phoenix one or two years ago. If
my understanding is correct, he bypassed the 4-way valve that sends air into
the top or the bottom of the air cylinder depending on the location of the
switching gizmo that rides in a ramp on the ram.  Instead the air supply
comes from the regulator to a foot pedal valve.  When the foot pedal is
depressed, air goes into the top of the cylinder (the hammer hits a blow).
 When the foot pedal is released, the cylinder recovers (the hammer moves
up).  The force of the blow is determined by the pressure setting on the
regulator.

   Cal Boyles had his hammer and anvil set up like the common treadle hammer
design which allowed for quick change dies/tools.  Very slick.  Cal Boyles
was doing some very nice flowers etc. under the hammer.  I want one.

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 10:38:30 -0500

Yes, a one shot variation on the hammer can be done that way, and the little
unit I made does the same without the 4-way valve.  However, the problem I'm
trying to resolve, is how to enable the head to quickly rebound on the
return, and to be variable on the downstroke through the foot pedal (an in
line needle valve can work but needs another hand to adjust, and I only have
two, damnit).  The problem with the original configuration, is with the
dwell.  In other words, the ram stays pressed on the chisel for instance
until it is reversed by the foot pedal.  For incised work, you would want a
kind of rebounding action so as the head quickly moves up, the chisel slides
naturally into the next position, then you strike, etc.  In other words, to
replicate the kind of natural control you have with a regular treadle hammer
( though this has a dwell too).  I've done incising with a range of hand held
air chisels, and this is fine for large work, but it's difficult to control
for precision work, not to mention, uncomfortable and noisey.  If anyone has
any ideas or would like to work out a solution with me, let me know and I'm
sure we can find the answer that will give us a reasonable solution.  Another
approach, which I would hate to take, is to use an electrical control system
with solenoids, variable resistors etc.  One more wire cord on the floor to
mess with just doesn't cut it with me, not to mention potential breakdown
problems.  The one advantage of such a system, in it's favor, is quick
response time.  Actually, and this is veering off a little bit (naturally), I
have thought of an electrical hammer based on the sewing machine principle
with a variable controlled footpedal.  This kind of device should also be
very easy to make, though some machining on the mill and lathe may be
required (not a problem here). It could also be a little expensive for a
prototype, but what the hell.   If there is anyone in the Philadelphia area
who would be interested in working with me on an electrical hammer and can be
helpful doing drilling and tapping and sharing ideas, let me know, I'll do
the machining etc., and we each can have one.  Just one last thought that
occured to me before I sign off.  Can an electric hammer drill be setup on a
column with a spring lever adjusting plate  and be useful for incising on
platework?  I bet it can be done and for not much more than the cost of the
hammer drill (still a little expensive for testing an idea).  Of course, it
would still be unacceptably noisy, the same as an air chisel set up the same
way, but without a compressor.
Chris Ray.

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From: "Charles Orlando" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 96 09:25:36 EST

Ron will be giving an excellent presentation on the building of his 
hammer at the 1996 ABANA convention.  Don't miss it.
Charley Orlando