Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: melsdad on January 07, 2009, 01:10:52 PM

Title: Chasing hammer???
Post by: melsdad on January 07, 2009, 01:10:52 PM

What size (in weight, and face size) chasing hammer do you use?

Would different weight hammers be used for steel, and brass?

Please reccommend a good quailty hammer, or hammers.

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Post by: Fletcher on January 07, 2009, 02:15:09 PM

I don't do much at all in gun building - so what is a chasing hammer?

I know I spend a lot of time chasing hammers and other tools around my shop that my boys have 'borrowed'  

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Post by: Indiana on January 07, 2009, 03:00:14 PM

I ordered a nice one from Rio Grande, but I can't remember the weight or anything.  It cost a little more than the standard chasing hammers, but I figure I'll have this for 50+ years.  Might as well get a good one.

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Post by: LRB on January 08, 2009, 09:22:40 AM

If I remember correctly, mine is 4 ounces total weight with handle. I made it from a dollar tack hammer by silver soldering a 1" face on it, and other modifications. Works as good as any high dollar hammer.

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Post by: melsdad on January 08, 2009, 09:36:43 AM

Quote from: "LRB"

If I remember correctly, mine is 4 ounces total weight with handle. I made it from a dollar tack hammer by silver soldering a 1" face on it, and other modifications. Works as good as any high dollar hammer.

The 4 oz. hammer you made, you use it for steel & brass?

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Post by: LRB on January 09, 2009, 08:55:01 AM

Steel and brass, yes. Acually I find steel sometimes cuts easier than brass.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/wicklrb/pennyknife181_640x480.jpg)[/url]
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/wicklrb/pennyknife146_640x480.jpg)

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Post by: Riley/MN on January 09, 2009, 08:59:47 AM

Very nice LRB

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Post by: LRB on January 09, 2009, 09:07:59 AM

Here are my most often used, and about all my engraving tools. Some are homemade, but I buy my graver blades. I used to make them, but gravers are cheap enough to just buy and save time and trouble. The key is learning to sharpen them properly, and have the right angles established for the job at hand.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/wicklrb/pennyknife426_640x480.jpg)

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Post by: Captchee on January 09, 2009, 10:15:14 AM

nice work LBR .
the chasing hammer wieght is for feels best for you . not necisserly for  diffrent metals . the hammer doesnt drive the  graver through the metal .  it only is tapped lightly and thus the graver makes the cuts . a good sharp graver will  simply slide right through .a dull one and a sledge hammer won t budge it .

 i would agree that brass can be  hard to do  depending on the make up .. when i do my practice plates  on brass , i normaly anyel it first

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/captchee/engraving/DSC00688.jpg)

 i dont remeber who sent me this photo but its a good exsample of  the cut going across diffrent materials

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/captchee/engraving/northbrookshoot369.jpg)

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Post by: Minnesota Mike on January 09, 2009, 12:44:20 PM

Uffda!

Now that is some nice work.

r/
MM

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Post by: Hank in WV on January 09, 2009, 05:27:02 PM

LRB, who makes and sells tht sharpening jig? Does it have index numberes on it? Thanks.

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Post by: ridjrunr on January 09, 2009, 05:38:40 PM

Good  question Hank in WV,I am wondering the same thing.Looks like a nice jig.ridjrunr

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Post by: melsdad on January 09, 2009, 07:36:03 PM

It is called a crocker graver sharpener.

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Post by: Captchee on January 10, 2009, 01:28:36 PM

Steve Limdsey also sells one  that does specific points . i have two of his . they are very easy to use and give exsact angles . the drawback to his  though is you cant customize the angle  for your own prefrence . but i have found his to be right on the money