Trip Hammers

Andy Martin · Dec 29, 2015

Interesting discussion below on blacksmiths sharpening plows. I've never sharpened a plow, but I work regularly on my 25# Little Giant. Used to have a 50# and also had an antique beam hammer, mid-1800's.

How many guys here have and use a trip hammer?

Bob Harvey · Dec 29, 2015

Me, for 1

Old bob. · Dec 29, 2015

My grandpa was a blacksmith. He sharpened
plows for my Dad with a triphammer. I can still hear
that hammer bang bang bang. My grandpa died in
1969. Haven't thought about that in years.

Thanks for making me remember.

Dalex · Dec 29, 2015

Our Tractor show in Vista Ca. has one of each ,
I can watch them for hours !!!

flying belgian · Dec 29, 2015

My wife's Uncle is Jerry Dotson. Co-owner of Dotson Co. here in Mankato, Mn. They were the maker of the Little Giant trip hammer back in the day. They also made the Little Giant farm tractor at their
foundry. There is one on display at LeSeuer pioneer power. It is owned by Denny Dotson, the brother of my wifes uncle. It was restored to original condition by my cousins.

55 50 Ron · Dec 29, 2015

I'm a volunteer at Farmamerica (Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center) and we have a Little Giant in our blacksmith shop and it gets used every year at some of our festivals and educatioal school tours.

VicS · Dec 29, 2015

Me two. I worked for a Blacksmith who also sold Minneapolis Moline farm equipment. I have ran a trip hammer. Hammered plow points for Charlie (blackie) Harris. If anybody knows who that was.

unc · Dec 29, 2015

Used to use a heavy beam hammer at the Standen Spring factory. It had been built by Cyril Standen out of parts laying around, as well as two flywheels from a fairly large horizontal engine. It had a very precise clutch. You could set your watch, or cause an earthquake with that machine. Most of the guys were afraid of it! I still use pry bars I made with that hammer.

dzc3 · Dec 30, 2015

sharpened a few with the forge, anvil and a heavy hammer

dustycoal · Dec 30, 2015

I have a 1923 25 lb. little giant, Nice hammer and it gets a work out. Took my boys to the little giant rebuilding class when ABANA was in Asheville years ago. Learn a lot for sure.

Spook · Dec 30, 2015

(quoted from post at 21:43:56 12/29/15) Me two. I worked for a Blacksmith who also sold Minneapolis Moline farm equipment. I have ran a trip hammer. Hammered plow points for Charlie (blackie) Harris. If anybody knows who that was.

Googled it, read it. A Mobster / farmer, hitman? Interesting combo.

CKain(MI) · Dec 30, 2015

My grandpa was a 'basket weaver', He used a trip hammer to pound the sticks of black ash, to break up the grains and get thin splints that can be woven into a basket. He started with the tree !

Trip Hammers

Andy Martin

Well-known Member

Bob Harvey

Well-known Member

Old bob.

Member

Dalex

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flying belgian

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55 50 Ron

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VicS

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unc

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dzc3

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dustycoal

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Spook

Well-known Member

CKain(MI)

Well-known Member

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