Planishing hammer advice
 

I'm in the market for a nice (US made) planishing hammer. I'd like a larger machine therefore there's little chance I'll have to replace it in the future. Here are some of the ones I found that I am working on choosing between. Do any of you have any experience or know someone with experience of any of the following:

http://www.airbosstools.com/ Looking at the pro 30 model


http://www.northridgetool.com/cpstylehammer.html


http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_meta...ng_hammers.htm
Looking at the 36 inch floor model


I like the cook machine, just wondering if its really twice the machine of the others as it comes with almost twice the price tag.


Any advice or suggestions let me know, also if you know of any other machines let me know. I don't really have any extra time to build my own or else I would consider going that route.

Thank you!

Robbie --

For that kind of money (6 or 7 grand) you can make your own. Talk to Tim Bruning @ Bruning Auto Design -- his is killer and he built it himself... Just my .00003 worth.

http://www.bruningautodesign.com/

Do you happen to have a photo of it? I looked through the website and couldn't find anything.

I contimplated building it myself, it just seems most of those types of projects around here get out of hand and only 3/4 of the way finished before we have to get back to money making projects.

Still up in the air.


Anyone else have some photos of some hand made units?

Robbie --

The website has "contact me" .... write him and ask him for some details and pics...

Will do. I try not to bother others unless I have to. Thanks!

Get on the Metal Meet forum. Many masters on there and most of those guys build thier own tools.

I have the Proline, Cook machine and it is a great piece. I have never tried any of the others, but I have learned with tools you usually get what you pay for. If you wanted to save some coin you might by the 24" model instead of the 36 that I have. They are expensive, mine was like 9 grans I think.

I bought and Eckold before the Planishing hammer though. It is an awesome machine with no equal. FYI

I used to try and do that, but it takes for ever to get a machine like that engineered and working properly. Plus every hour you work on it your not making your shop rate. As you know when your in business, your either earning money or losing money. There is no more free time.

Thanks for the advice. That's what I was looking for and I figured I hear what I didn't really want to hear, the more expensive one is probably that way for a reason.

How deep of a throat does your eckold have?

12" it is like 10 g's but we use it daily......