Jim-
That is the Blue Max 110. It is my first hammer, so I don't realistically have anything to compare it to, but I've been very happy with it.
-Rob

Paula-
With the project I was doing, I reduced the diameter about 50% (which was all I needed). However, as you know, the thinner it gets, the thicker the wall gets and the easier it is to reduce the diameter. My guess is you could reduce the diameter to zero if you designed the tool accordingly. I made a removable limiter for the stop -a 1/4" metal cap that fit over the stop between the two pipes- to reduce the amount the tool would close. This gave me some control over the amount the pipe would compress each time the tool closed. I could remove the stop to further reduce the pipe diameter using both sides. This allowed me to have better control over the machine given my lack of skill with the hammer. This is an extra I'm sure you won't need!
Rob

Rob, you can build a taper tool with that works very well and you can do nice long tapers with it also by taking two pieces of round of different sizes and welding them together.
You will need to bend them in the same radius.
For example, you would use some 3/4 and 1 inch round to make the tapering saddles. After welding them together then you will have to clean up the welds with a grinder and maybe even a blending wheel so the surface of the welds are smooth.
Make to sets like this and weld them to your spring.
The radius needs to be bigger than the pipe you want to work also. With this set up you can forge several different sizes of pipe with the same tool with in a given size range.
So many tools to make and life so short.

Steve

Steve-
I'm not sure I follow you. Do you have any pictures of this design?
Thanks!
Rob

Rob, I am new to this site,so as soon as I figure out how to post pics I will post some of the tool I am talking about.

Steve

Steve, When you asked about tapering pipe - I looked at the picture you posted. That tool is good for large pipe tapers and free forming from a ball to another shape.

The fastest way to taper pipe is in a 117 degree V block.

Ralph

not sure that my hammer skills are all that great, seems i hit the anvil more than what i'm aiming for...thought about using a hard hat because of the bounce on the anvil.... hammer

I'll have to show this to my 'technician'....my hubby.... he loves making tools like this, me, I'd rather get down to business and create. When i reduce pipe, I've used our little giant. Hitting lightly and turning it at the same time..yes, it takes a while but I've gotten it down to being as solid as you said... thanks again for the info, its really helpful.

Paula
Guthrie, MN