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Old 08-15-2018, 07:39 PM
HappyGoLucky HappyGoLucky is offline
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Default Why Buy a Multipurpose Hammer?

Why do people buy expensive multi purpose hammers.... when two cheaper hammers ( a reciprocating and a power hammer ) would be more efficient? I am curious because most of the people I see on IG with Baileigh Hammers have a pullmax, a yoder, etc.... etc... on top of the expensive multipurpose machines. It really does not make sense to me. Not only that..... but to be switching over the dies and linkage to go from one operation to the next seems kinda backwards in logic. The only reason I say this is because I was going to build a machine similar to Baileigh in terms of a multipurpose unit... but then I decided it really does not make sense to do so. I can build two machines, one for each type of motion.... and still be out of pocket maybe 6 grand.
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Last edited by HappyGoLucky; 08-15-2018 at 07:46 PM.
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Old 08-15-2018, 07:50 PM
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Kerry Pinkerton Kerry Pinkerton is offline
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I agree with you Peter. In my experience, multipurpose machines of most any type, compromise somewhere for every purpose.


Btw, a Pullmax and similar machines are not hammers, they are reciprocating machines. Hammers have an overstroke and HIT, reciprocating machines have fixed linkages and PUSH. Huge difference in design and function. Not to say that they cannot sometimes do similar work.
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Old 08-15-2018, 08:19 PM
HappyGoLucky HappyGoLucky is offline
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Thanks for agreeing Kerry...

I am open to others opinions on the subject matter and whatnot which is why I posted the question. I think Budget machines are the way to go... whether it is a homebuilt, group build, etc.
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Old 08-16-2018, 12:26 AM
Peter Tommasini Peter Tommasini is offline
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I agree with you Peter 100%........ nothing is more frustrating than spending time changing things around
But.. what if ...one could change from a wheeling machine to a powerful plenishing hammer in no more than 5 minutes , in another words... one would put all the shape with the hammer to a good finish then... if one prefers to go over with the wheel....Then within 5 minutes change over he has a English wheel
let me know your thoughts...............
Peter
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Old 08-16-2018, 12:33 AM
HappyGoLucky HappyGoLucky is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Tommasini View Post
I agree with you Peter 100%........ nothing is more frustrating than spending time changing things around
But.. what if ...one could change from a wheeling machine to a powerful plenishing hammer in no more than 5 minutes , in another words... one would put all the shape with the hammer to a good finish then... if one prefers to go over with the wheel....Then within 5 minutes change over he has a English wheel
let me know your thoughts...............
Peter
I'm not 100% sure what you're saying.... but I have had a huge English wheel for over a decade.... so no need to change over.
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Old 08-16-2018, 12:39 AM
Peter Tommasini Peter Tommasini is offline
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Peter I was not referring to your situation ..I am sure you are set up properly and doing well
I was simply making a statement for other people which do change things around and spend too much time and unnecessary money when really two machine will do almost everything
Peter
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Last edited by Peter Tommasini; 08-16-2018 at 12:46 AM.
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Old 08-15-2018, 08:12 PM
Ken Hosford Ken Hosford is offline
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[QUOTE= I can build two machines, one for each type of motion.... and still be out of pocket maybe 6 grand.[/QUOTE]
I like your attitude .
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Old 08-16-2018, 05:00 AM
tbody321 tbody321 is offline
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Default mulit machines

How do you plan on designing these machines? will you be using cad or hand sketches based on ideas in your head or following similar designs others have done. By no means am I a metal shaper but have had the pleasure of using Kerry's Ewheel , and the forum built reciprocating machine and kick shrink machine... The kick shrink machine is as smooth as they come..



Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyGoLucky View Post
Why do people buy expensive multi purpose hammers.... when two cheaper hammers ( a reciprocating and a power hammer ) would be more efficient? I am curious because most of the people I see on IG with Baileigh Hammers have a pullmax, a yoder, etc.... etc... on top of the expensive multipurpose machines. It really does not make sense to me. Not only that..... but to be switching over the dies and linkage to go from one operation to the next seems kinda backwards in logic. The only reason I say this is because I was going to build a machine similar to Baileigh in terms of a multipurpose unit... but then I decided it really does not make sense to do so. I can build two machines, one for each type of motion.... and still be out of pocket maybe 6 grand.
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Old 08-16-2018, 07:50 AM
jmcglynn jmcglynn is offline
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Shop space is probably the main reason IMO.

I used to look at those multipurpose woodworking machines (table saw, jointer, planer and shaper all in one) and have the same question.

It is possibly cheaper than buying all separate machines too. You can't compare the cost of a real machine to one you imagine you can build - or even one you've actually built. Until you build it you don't really know what it costs, and of course you are trading free labor in scrounging parts and fabrication time. Not everyone can or is willing to do that.
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Old 08-16-2018, 11:47 AM
HappyGoLucky HappyGoLucky is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmcglynn View Post
Shop space is probably the main reason IMO.

I used to look at those multipurpose woodworking machines (table saw, jointer, planer and shaper all in one) and have the same question.

It is possibly cheaper than buying all separate machines too. You can't compare the cost of a real machine to one you imagine you can build - or even one you've actually built. Until you build it you don't really know what it costs, and of course you are trading free labor in scrounging parts and fabrication time. Not everyone can or is willing to do that.
A real machine? What exactly is that.... Anyways an overpriced Baileigh is probably the worst investment anyone can make... unless they have a million bucks in savings... because that kind of cash investment invested right could easily return a million dollars over a decade or so... unless it was invested in a machine like a baileigh... where most people will actually lose money. Now on the other hand... if a person invests a couple grand... or less in a machine they design, or build from some other persons blueprint then money is in the bank on a budget build. That being said a machine can be built in a week easily if someone is motivated to move that fast. What is a weeks wages worth to most people? Even if you make $100 an hour at standard 40 hours ( most people don't) That figure gross is around $4,000... so if you pretend like that is your income plus maybe a couple grand in materials, etc... you still only have 6 grand in one machine. That being said... I can round up materials for a machine for under $1000 regular price, or under $500 if I scrounge. Point being.... $60,000 for a machine like mh37 is a terrible investment... even $30,000 for a midrange Baileigh after sales taxes is added in.... is a terrible investment. I have seen Steve's latest p max style machine... and that is exactly the type of build I would prefer... @toreadorxlt and yes I agree with you Steve... on the people designing the expensive machines have no idea what is ideal for metalshapers.... a shop filled ( or a small car garage ) with various machines is best, as you noted.

In terms of a real estate issue and not having the room as an excuse for buying an expensive multipurpose machine... that bucket doesn't hold water up either... because most people have the room, or can add it for that price invested. ( unless you live in New York City, etc.)

Budget builds like Steve's and others are the way to go in my eyes.... even if the build takes some time to finish.
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Last edited by HappyGoLucky; 08-16-2018 at 11:59 AM.
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