Little Giant Easy Power Hammer Info

[J Robison]

I purchased a horizontal Little Giant Easy power hammer this weekend and wanting to know more about it. What years were this configuration of hammer produced? rarity? value? I removed it from the original dirt floor blacksmith shop along with several other tools. The serial number is in the low 400's. It appears to be in good shape, the only repair showing is a weld repair on the hammer pivot pin.
Thanks for any help,

[Joel Sanderson]

According to Douglas Freund in his book, Pounding Out the Profits, the Easy was made from 1902 until 1919. (That is a very interesting book for people who like hammers and old technology.) Your hammer was one of the last ones made.

The Easy has never been terribly popular, neither in its early days nor today. When it was in production it was comparatively expensive (limiting sales) but now they are one of the less expensive hammer styles. The main reason, in my opinion, that they are not popular today is because the ram is not guided. Most people today are using hammers for ornamental work. This usually involves a certain amount of tooling, where the hammer will be asked to strike at different heights. A helve hammer like the Easy does not lend itself to that work very well, because the ram does not remain parallel throughout its stroke. It also does not strike with the same precision as a guided hammer, because the ram is not as stable.

On the other hand, a hammer like the easy is well suited to striking inside closed spaces. For instance, a blacksmith specializing in repairing or making wagon tires (or a wheelwright) would benefit from such a hammer, because the hammer could strike inside the tire for welding or stretching it. However, not many folks are doing this work today. Nonetheless, there are times when it would be nice to have that ability, but most people do not dedicate the floor space to a machine so specialized.

According to a flyer I have, the Easy requires 1 1/2 horse power, is intended to run 350 rpm (same as the 50 lb vertical model), weighs 1000 lbs, has a 35 lb ram and can strike work up to 2" thick. This is the only size in which Little Giant made this model. (In comparison, the 25 lb hammer could also strike 2" thick but was intended to run 400 rpm.)

Have fun with your hammer, and don't let anyone tell you it isn't any good. Every hammer has its advantages and disatvantages, and the work done in any shop is directed in part by the hammer's personality.

[TerryJay]

Get ahold of Sid Suedmeier he bought the pantents for Little Giant hammers and has parts and offers classes on rebuilding and tuning them up for use.
://littlegianthammer.com/index.html
If you send the serial number and ask he may have the date it was built,sold and to who.