TM Air Power Hammer Models
Work Done With this Air Power Hammer
When Kent was a budding young metalman, he worked around all the popular forming and shaping machines common to this line of work: the Wheel, the planishing hammer, the bead roller, the stomp shear, the press brake, etc. But Kent really wanted a small benchtop machine that could stretch, shrink, form, contour, curve flanges, turn flanges over curved surfaces, and planish. And he wanted to be able to do all of these metal shaping tasks with a single machine.
He’d spent about 10 years refining his ideas for this machine when he found himself confronted with a job making a fully-crowned rear fender for a 1914 Mercedes race car out of 18-gauge mild steel. This was going to mean a lot of hand-hammering. No way! Kent knew it was time to build a prototype for his new machine. His used his new “Air Power Hammer” to shape the fender in three separate sections which he then welded together and planished. The missing fender matched the existing one perfectly, and the TM Air Power Hammer was born! In 1994 Kent went public with his new metal shaping machine. Within 12 months “rivet-gun planishing” hammers were being made and sold by companies all over the U.S. (including ‘Horror Fright’). These look-alike machines however, did not have the true shaping capabilities of his original machines which were able to do forming operations on many different alloys, hardnesses, and thicknesses, and could shape, shrink, stretch, planish, curve flanges, and turn flanges up or down (even on curved panels).
Of all of the products Kent has designed and developed over his career, he has frequently said that the Air Power Hammers have brought him the greatest joy. TM Air Power Hammers have evolved substantially since the first humble machines were created nearly 30 years ago. Today we offer three machine models, five Air Motors, and over two dozen dies (as well as custom dies), with more tricks in development in our prototype shop.
If you would like to see video demos of these shaping operations, please click the “more info” links (after each of the descriptions below) which will take you to in-depth information on that model. Click on the green “Video Demo” tab to see the list of shaping demos.
Model 1000 – Straight-Post Power Hammer
The 1000 Straight-Post model is machine that started it all. It has been used on a daily basis in our shop since 1989, and is a consistently solid performer. It is our most economical model, and is the perfect choice for the person who is looking to get into using an Air Power Hammer. This machine has the ability to stretch 12-gauge mild steel, shrink 14-gauge mild steel, and then quickly change to planishing thin soft metals such as aluminum or copper depending on the air motors and dies being used. The 24-inch throat and nearly 11-inch high Straight-Post Lower Assembly allow you to easily work most complex shapes. This is our only model with a “fixed” (non-interchangeable) lower assembly. It is also the only model we offer “Build Your Own” blueprints and parts for those customers wishing to fabricate their own machine.
Model 2000 / 2500 – Interchangeable-Post Power Hammer
Our 2000/2500 models are our most popular machines. They are a hybrid that combine the portability of our 1000 benchtop model, with the “interchangeable” lower post assemblies found on our 3000 series machines. These hammers were developed to meet the needs of our customers who required the widest range of shaping options. This hammer is ideal for almost anyone in the metal forming industry. This machine can stretch 12-gauge mild steel, shrink 14-gauge mild steel, and then quickly change to planishing thin soft metals such as aluminum or copper depending on the air motors, dies, and lower-assemblies being used. The 24-inch deep throat allows you to easily work most complex shapes.
The 2000 model has a unique angled-base that allows it to accommodate both a Straight-Post and an Angled-Post lower assembly. The Straight-Post can be used for most general shaping operations, while the Angled-Post assembly gives you the additional ability to work the edges of hollow shapes. Each lower assembly is sold separately, allowing you to purchase only the assemblies you need at this time, but still giving you the opportunity to expand your machine’s capabilities later down the line.
The 2500 model has a modified 2000 frame that also accepts a Planishing Arm. Our Planishing Arm is designed for use inside tight, narrow spaces (such as inside gas tanks or wingtips) in addition to planishing. The modified frame gives you the option of adding a Planishing Arm at any point in the future should the need arise.
Model 3000 / 3500 – Multi-Post C-Frame Power Hammer
Our Multi-Post C-Frame machines were designed for commercial metal production shops that need a heavy-duty machine. This hammer has an extremely strong frame, measuring four times as stiff as the rectangular tube frame on our 1000 model. The side plates on this machine are ¼” inch thick and are heavily reinforced to take very heavy abuse and pressures.
This machine has the ability to rapidly stretch or shrink mild steel, and then quickly change to planishing thin soft metals such as aluminum or copper (depending on the air motors, dies, and lower-assemblies being used). The 24-inch deep throat allows you to easily work most complex shapes. Like our 2000 series, the 3000 model also offers three interchangeable lower-assemblies, providing you with the widest range of shaping options. The 3000 series is also our only air power hammer that will support our #6 Air Motor. This “Super Thumper” motor was designed specifically for the 3000 series machine, and is capable of stretching up to 10-gauge or shrinking 12-gauge mild steel.
The 3000 model frame accommodates both a Straight-Post and an Angled-Post lower assembly. The Straight-Post can be used for most general shaping operations. The Angled-Post assembly gives you the additional ability to work the edges of hollow shapes. Each lower assembly is sold separately, allowing you to purchase only the assemblies you need at this time, but still giving you the opportunity to expand your machine’s capabilities later down the line.
The 3500 model has a modified 3000 frame that also accepts a Planishing Arm. Our Planishing Arm is designed for use inside tight, narrow spaces (such as inside gas tanks or wingtips) in addition to planishing. The modified frame gives you the option of adding a Planishing Arm at any point in the future should the need arise.
4000 Floor Model Air Power Hammer
For years, customers have been requesting a heavy-duty industrial floor model machine for doing large panels and heavy, thick metals. Our new Floor Model C-Frame hammer is based on the design of one I have used in my own shop for the past 20 years. With a 38˝ deep throat, this is my go-to frame when I need to do very large panels. This machine can handle the largest sheets, even up to 60˝ wide. The frame design offers a great deal of freedom for a wide variety of shapes. I have found zero limitations to this frame design.
The size, shape, and throat depth are ideal for commercial production of large parts. The Floor Model is also very advantageous in situations where the metal you are working is large enough to require more than one operator holding the sheet or parts while it is being shaped. Fabricated from 1/4˝ formed mild steel, it is an extremely stable, free-standing machine. This frame is available in three heights (see Product Specs at right) to accommodate operators that may be taller or shorter than average.
