I honestly know diddly about rebuilding either one of those.

But the support I can offer you is that I would volunteer to come and help break in the new babbit once it's poured.

|quoted:

I honestly know diddly about rebuilding either one of those.

But the support I can offer you is that I would volunteer to come and help break in the new babbit once it's poured.

I knew I could count on you Karl to sustain me in my hour of need! That's a buddy! 😜

|quoted:

Hello my forging friends! I just purchased a 400# Beaudry, and a 125# Bradley compact hammer. I've been scouring the interwebs for any and all information I can find on these machines. I would like to submit this thread as an invitation to dialog about these hammers, and see if we can create a sort of database here of owners and models. One of my goals is to lay the foundation of a support group of sorts. For example, I am having to re pour the Babbitt bearings in the Bradley. In my research, I fount this company that sells Babbitt metal ingots and other supplies needed for this job.

RotoMetals

865 Eastbrook St.

San Leandro, CA 94577

rotometals.com

I also purchased the DVD "Rebuilding the Little Giant Power Hammer" by Sid Suedemeier. It has an excellent section on replacing Babbitt bearings and a wealth of other information. That video can be purchased from the Little Giant company.

Please feel free to add any sources and tips you may have for running or fixing these machines.

Hey Adam and Hayley, how about you start a support group for those of us who don't have 400#lb Beaudry and a 125# compact, did you think about us at all? Thought not…

I am sure you are onto it but just in case your not iforgeiron.com has probably the best power hammer page and support out there. People with serious hammers and industrial forging experience. Look forward to some pictures.

Cheers

Shawn

Shawn,

There were a number of Little Giants sent to down under. Not as many that were shipped to China post WWII though.

Here's another source for babbit.

http://magnoliabronze.com/

Adam,

I'm all in on this topic you can put me down for Little Giant repairs and Perfects. There are several other members that I've spoke with that has experience with the hammers that you spoke of. Hopefully they will step up and offer their expertise.

And yes post photo's please.

Sid makes it look easy in the video pouring babbit. The main thing to remember is the preparation. Set it up once right and have a good pour.

Dave from Diller

Haha! Shawn, I support you coming to my shop to make Damascus on my new hammers! I have joined iforgeiron.com. There are some great guys on there that have been very helpful.

Dave, thanks for jumping in here, and for the Babbitt source. I wouldn't mind starting a power hammers sub forum on here. The one on "I forge iron" is great. I think a lot of us Bladesmiths have good knowledge about hammers that can be shared to benefit us all. Little Giant has seen a huge spike in popularity and presence due to the company support they still offer through Dave and Rodger. Other brands have not been so lucky. As a result, my LG is in excellent shape, and will be giving good service for my whole career, and hopefully many more. My other hammers... not as easy.

Cortland machine and tool co. Still has all the drawings and plans for Bradley hammers. They have a few parts and can make some others. They are a big time machine shop, and hammers are more of a side line nuisance for them, so nothing is cheap, and they are not a big source of information. I have ordered hard copies of the owners manual and parts list for the Compact. Other than that, I think some of the blacksmith community is more knowledgeable about them.

Beaudry is supposed owned by another outfit called "United forging Hammers". I have seen a Facebook page, but I don't believe there is any actual support happening.