What is a power hammer, you ask? Well, just like the name implies, it is an electrical hammer--a hammer that uses power. The most common thing they're used for is drawing out--the process by which one heats metal stock (solid pipes, either round or rectangular) and extends it. Before power hammers emerged in the mid-1800s, to draw out metal, one had to heat it, hammer it, and repeat this process for however long it took to get the shape one wanted. However, as the video shows, power hammers allow us to do this much faster. The one in the video is from 1903, I think. AKA, it's old.
This leads me into the dangers of this equipment. Because it is dangerous. Now, we all know about safety in the early 1900s, right? Right. So, let's start with the most obvious--this thing could turn your fingers into soup without denting itself.
But, wait! That's not all! Please keep your hands away from the mashing zone at all times. The power hammer operates on pistons and a wheel, so if it stops near the top of the wheel, it could fall at any moment!
And, of course, it uses a belt that you'd better not touch either. Or, you know, you could just grab it and lose all the skin on you palm. Whatever you like.
So, if it's so dangerous, why do we use it? Because if you're not a total dumb aft, you won't get hurt. So, basically, as long as you don't touch what you're not supposed to touch, you're fine.
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