Initial review of the H.B. MACHINE fluted hammer

[Have Blue]

Well, there's gotta be a limit to lightness.  30g is right around what the Lapcos were, so I'll stick with the current design.

More importantly, I designed the fixture such that it would be for that particular fluting design.

[greenmtn]

HB any word on when you will have these available?

[cjottawa]

hmmmmm what if instead of makin a + shape design.... you make it just 2 or 3 wings?

wouldnt it be even lighter? or would it not be beneficial?

I can't speak for Have Blue but, if I were milling a Phantom hammer, I'd use the same technique as he has. Look at the cuts: they're simple and easy to duplicate, cut at 90-degree points to the sear.

They go just to the depth of the centre tubular section, avoiding damage to that area and the cuts leave enough material to maintain stable contact points on four corners.

You could probably drill longitudinal holes if you wanted an even lighter hammer but it's a case of law-of-diminishing-returns. This wiped out 1/3 of the weight without compromising durability.

[greenmtn]

It's also a tested and proven design, there are Lapco hammers just like this one, except for the sear still in use today.

hmmmmm what if instead of makin a + shape design.... you make it just 2 or 3 wings?

wouldnt it be even lighter? or would it not be beneficial?

I can't speak for Have Blue but, if I were milling a Phantom hammer, I'd use the same technique as he has. Look at the cuts: they're simple and easy to duplicate, cut at 90-degree points to the sear.

They go just to the depth of the centre tubular section, avoiding damage to that area and the cuts leave enough material to maintain stable contact points on four corners.

You could probably drill longitudinal holes if you wanted an even lighter hammer but it's a case of law-of-diminishing-returns. This wiped out 1/3 of the weight without compromising durability.

[Have Blue]

The Lapco ones are milled just a tad different - the sides are chamfered at 45 degrees rather than straight down as on mine.  I searched all around for an endmill that would let me machine a cut just like the Lapco hammers (that wouldn't break the bank), but I ended up with using a plain old 3/8" carbide endmill.

No idea when I'll have them available - I have a standing order with Mike for a batch of raw, unplated, unassembled hammers for the run.  Once I get them, I can actually begin machining.

[greenmtn]

I look forward to these things going on sale.  I'll pick up 1 or 3

[cjottawa]

One more difference: Lapco hammers appear to be straight, longitudinally.

The Phantom hammer is barrel-shaped and the contact points are a "ring" around the mid-section.

Not complete, but here's what there is.......

H.B. MACHINE fluted hammer

Pssst, ThKyle: your linked page is down.

[Have Blue]

Correct, the barrel shape is sort of part of the anti-kink, IIRC.  Since I'm just machining down CCI hammers, this is to be expected.

[cjottawa]

Correct, the barrel shape is sort of part of the anti-kink, IIRC.  Since I'm just machining down CCI hammers, this is to be expected.

Very interesting! I didn't know that. Any idea how this works as an anti-kink mechanism?

I could see how a cylinder would bind if torsional force were applied where a barrel would tend to pivot.

[Have Blue]

Very interesting! I didn't know that. Any idea how this works as an anti-kink mechanism?

I could see how a cylinder would bind if torsional force were applied where a barrel would tend to pivot.

Exactly - the 'sleeve' that protrudes from the front of the hammer is the primary anti-kink feature, but because it's not a perfectly tight fit, the hammer will still pivot a little when the sear catches and backwards force on the pump/pumprod/bolt train is released.

[joedirt199]

i did a similar set up on my phantom.  my stock hammer weighed in at about 35 grams.  i ground grooves in the side much like your's but not as clean and got it down to 32 grams on the advice of gogged gurl.  i used the blue CCI main spring and used the stock valve spring but added 3 #10 washers to the inside of the valve chamber to get the cup seal to seal a little bit faster.  i managed to get 46-47 shots before it started to drop below 200 fps on a vertical bucket changer setup.  i also have a dropout that i can test as well to see if the efficiency is any better.  you guys are shooting way higher than i am on efficiency since i am just satisfied with emptying a winchester hopper on one 12 gr.  if you do decide to sell some modded hammers i would be willing to try some to see what the magic weight is for best efficiency.

[splattttttt]

I know I've netioned this else where, but I need one too please.

[Have Blue]

Demand is high enough that I will be making them.  I'm just waiting on Mike to make another run of hammers so that I don't have to worry about stripping existing plating as another step.

[greenmtn]

Glad to hear that this is going to happen for you.  I'll be good for one at least.  Do you have a price in mind yet?

[Have Blue]

As with most stuff I make, price will depend largely on how much of a PITA they are!