He Keeps Antique Power Hammers Alive

He Keeps Antique Power Hammers Alive 31-3-9 Some customers call him the "Savior of the great old power hammers." Sid Suedmeier shrugs off the title, which he earned as a result of taking over the Little Giant Power Hammer Company in 1991. Though the hammers themselves are no longer manufactured, Suedmeier provides a way for owners to get parts and repairs, and even learn how to rebuild their old hammers. The Little Giant Company dates back to 1895. It was the most prolific manufacturer of power hammers, making nearly 18,000 of them in 99 years. "The original use for these machines was sharpening plowshares," Suedmeier explains. Replaceable plowshares killed demand for the machines. The Mankato foundry became involved with other projects and the power hammer segment of the business was set aside. Suedmeier found out about the business when he wanted to expand his knife-making hobby from grinding to hammering out knives. He ended up buying parts, blueprints, foundry patterns and sales records from the Minnesota foundry and taking them to Nebraska. At first Little Giant was a sideline business, but by 1999, it had taken off, and Suedmeier sold his auto parts business. Many people use power hammers to make a living, he explains, creating decorative iron for fences, gates, lighting, etc. Though they aren't as precise, power hammers seem to be faster than the newer pneumatic hammers, Suedmeier says. "A lot of people like power hammers just because they are old," Suedmeier says. "Some of the hammers we rebuild are 100 years old." Working with three foundries, his business can make parts for any Little Giant Hammer. Suedmeier also buys old hammers and rebuilds them. Each March he holds 2 1/2-day sessions showing people how to rebuild, adjust and maintain their own hammers. Suedmeier attends blacksmith conferences and events and is impressed by the number of new people getting into the business. "It's really great to see a lot of younger interest," he says. Some customers have unusual uses for power hammers: sharpening pea and peanut plows, making farrier tools and texturizing lead sheets that are made into tubes for pipe organs, for example. "A lot of people like the history," Keri notes. Little Giant made five sizes through the years and they have old paperwork about each model, as well as sales records of every machine ever sold. A used hammer in good condition is worth anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500. Suedmeier sells totally rebuilt power hammers for $3,800. The Suedmeiers welcome calls from people interested in learning more about power hammers. Prices for common parts and repairs are listed on their website. Contact: Harlan "Sid" Suedmeier, Little Giant Power Hammer, 420 4th Corso, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410 (ph 402 873-6603; sid@littlegianthammer.com; www.littlegianthammer.com).

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