Lead hammer my way

[toolmuchtool]

Thanks Vintage nut for the reply. Please let us know how the mold works if you use the mold more than once. That is if you have the time. Like you said, probably a file could clean it up. Aloha, James

 

[vintage nut]

I was planning on casting a few more anyways, one for each toolbox plus one for my dad and one to keep in my truck. If this works it will save me making more molds!

you can never have too many tools

 

[vintage nut]

Casted some more hammers tonight, and I'm happy to say that the molds are definitely reusable.
Here's the pot melting

A tiny mold before its first pour

This is how I do the end of the handle, just a nut stick welded on

A mold ready for its second pour

Lead cooling into hammers a couple bigger ones too

The darker cavity is after the second pour

Hammer still came out well

And this is that tiny mold after 3 pours. And no this isn't some special hardwood. Its actually yellow cedar, something soft enough you could practically carve it with a pencil. Might try making the next mold out of maple

Just realized I forgot to get a picture of the hammer collection. One of each size for both my dad and I, and another one for my truck tools. Still want to make a couple more for my other tool boxes, and maybe a sledgehammer or two

you can never have too many tools

 

[toolmuchtool]

Vintage nut , great pictures, your molds still look great, I think you can make a lot with them. Yes a hardwood might hold out a little longer but yours look to be going strong. Thanks for the great info. ALOHA, James

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks for posting. I've got a bit of lead saved up so all I need now is to get a roundtoit. Then I can give it a try.

My current lead hammer is pretty soft. I have to beat it back into shape with a steel hammer after every use. That's been working so far but maybe it's time to re-cast it too.

 

[91bronc300]

I saw this thread the other day and wanted to make one of these hammers. I finally had time today after finishing a 68 hour work week (whew!) and this is how it turned out. I hammered on it for looks. It weighs in at 6.5 pounds, almost too heavy. I should have used 1.5 inch pipe instead of 2 inch.

 

[91bronc300]

Well the hammer from last night was too heavy so I re-did it. This time it came in at 4.5 lbs. It feels pretty much perfect. Meting off the old head discolored the handle so that's why the electrical tape. Thanks OP for the inspiration.

 

[vintage nut]

Well the hammer from last night was too heavy so I re-did it. This time it came in at 4.5 lbs. It feels pretty much perfect. Meting off the old head discolored the handle so that's why the electrical tape. Thanks OP for the inspiration.

Glad it worked out for you! I'm probably going to cast a couple more smaller ones, and a bigger one this weekend. Really handy things!

you can never have too many tools

 

[richeyc2000]

Glad it worked out for you! I'm probably going to cast a couple more smaller ones, and a bigger one this weekend. Really handy things!

you can never have too many tools

Love the idea of building your own dead blow hammer.
Just might have to do this next.
Did you cast a few more?


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[404]

I saw this thread the other day and wanted to make one of these hammers. I finally had time today after finishing a 68 hour work week (whew!) and this is how it turned out. I hammered on it for looks. It weighs in at 6.5 pounds, almost too heavy. I should have used 1.5 inch pipe instead of 2 inch.

Ahh Yes, a beautiful example of the Troll Ban Hammer, as forged by Wizards.. Well done.

 

[vintage nut]

I've done a few more since, and I'm probably going to be due for a recast session soon. Been restoring several drill presses, and some massive blacksmith vises, and after freeing the one 7.25" jaw vise up, most of my hammers resemble mushrooms now....

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[Davefr]

Reviving an old thread, but I used the OP's process to make a couple lead hammers and it worked well. I have buckets of NOS hickory handles and buckets of old lead from g-sales. About the only modification I made was using wood handles vs steel pipe. I was kind of afraid the molten lead would burn the wood but all it caused was minor charring. I think my second one turned out a little better. The steel wool was used to minimize lead seeping from the mold.

 

[Hytekrednek]

what are lead hammers used for mostly? I have a few wooden mallets, steel hammers of many types, brass hammers, dead blows, rubber mallets, and maybe others, but no lead hammers.

Also, I have a huge tub of wheel weights. Looks to be a mix of lead and zinc weights. Is there an easy way to separate the 2 types of metals? They melt at a similar temp dont they?