Double-Legged 5-Ton Steam Hammer
A steam hammer, also called a drop hammer, is an industrial power hammer driven by steam that is used for tasks such as shaping forgings and driving piles. Typically the hammer is attached to a piston that slides within a fixed cylinder, but in some designs the hammer is attached to a cylinder that slides along a fixed piston.
The concept was described by James Watt in 1784, but it was not until 1840 that the first working steam hammer was built to meet the needs of forging increasingly large iron or steel components. In 1843 there was an acrimonious dispute between François Bourdon of France and James Nasmyth of Britain over who had invented the machine. Bourdon had built the first working machine, but Nasmyth claimed it was built from a copy of his design.
Steam hammers proved to be invaluable in many industrial processes. Technical improvements gave greater control over the force delivered, greater longevity, greater efficiency and greater power. A steam hammer built in 1891 by the Bethlehem Iron Company, based on a French design, delivered a 125-ton blow.
In the 20th century steam hammers were gradually displaced in forging by mechanical and hydraulic presses, but some are still in use. Compressed air power hammers, descendants of the early steam hammers, are still manufactured.
The example seen above was built by R G Ross & Son in Glasgow in 1955 and it was installed in Chatham Dockyard's No. 1 Smithery later that year. It was dismantled when the Smithery ceased production in 1974. It has been re-erected in the open area between the Smithery (off to the right above) and the Covered Yards (partially seen to the left) as part of development of the Dockyard as a tourist venue. The light green colour is typical of how the Dockyard's machine tools were painted during the 20th century.
Double-Legged 5-Ton Steam Hammer
A steam hammer, also called a drop hammer, is an industrial power hammer driven by steam that is used for tasks such as shaping forgings and driving piles. Typically the hammer is attached to a piston that slides within a fixed cylinder, but in some designs the hammer is attached to a cylinder that slides along a fixed piston.
The concept was described by James Watt in 1784, but it was not until 1840 that the first working steam hammer was built to meet the needs of forging increasingly large iron or steel components. In 1843 there was an acrimonious dispute between François Bourdon of France and James Nasmyth of Britain over who had invented the machine. Bourdon had built the first working machine, but Nasmyth claimed it was built from a copy of his design.
Steam hammers proved to be invaluable in many industrial processes. Technical improvements gave greater control over the force delivered, greater longevity, greater efficiency and greater power. A steam hammer built in 1891 by the Bethlehem Iron Company, based on a French design, delivered a 125-ton blow.
In the 20th century steam hammers were gradually displaced in forging by mechanical and hydraulic presses, but some are still in use. Compressed air power hammers, descendants of the early steam hammers, are still manufactured.
The example seen above was built by R G Ross & Son in Glasgow in 1955 and it was installed in Chatham Dockyard's No. 1 Smithery later that year. It was dismantled when the Smithery ceased production in 1974. It has been re-erected in the open area between the Smithery (off to the right above) and the Covered Yards (partially seen to the left) as part of development of the Dockyard as a tourist venue. The light green colour is typical of how the Dockyard's machine tools were painted during the 20th century.