I am getting my 150# Bradley Strap Hammer ready to start up. The strap is shot and should it be replaced with leather or manmade?
Should a loop be fashioned on one end to properly install it? The idler pulley is missing. Anyone know the right diameter?
I can probably make one from metal if I knew the the approximate size. Any help from fellow bladesmiths appreciated. I am an
apprentice smith near Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thank You and Happy Fathers Day to all who are.
Hey David, I get the inclination to post here first, but I'm going to direct you to the IForgeIron forums, since there are many Bradley owners and "experts", and I've seen these same questions pop up before.
I don't personally know of any bladesmith's running Bradleys, although I'm sure there are some.
Afaik, the consensus, is replace leather with leather, although the appropriate leather straps come from specialty suppliers, who deal in such. Supposedly, leather is the best choice for these straps, as they are with the facings for the fly wheels on large percussion screw presses, and such.
Anyway, maybe somewhere here has first hand info, if so, apologies. If not, someone at IFI will.. Good luck. I love the Bradleys, almost bought one a few months ago as a project but bought another working hammer instead.
