John Haswell: Steam Hammer
A fine 1:5 scale model of the steam hammer patented by John Haswell in 1853 is on display at Vienna Technical Museum. The hammer was made at the Maschinenfabrik der Wien-Raaber Eisenbahn, where Haswell was the Director.
The machine bears a very close resemblance to that patented by John Condie in 1846. Presumably subtle differences were incorporated.
Some of the operating components are missing, including the two levers used by the operator. This makes the operating mode difficult to understand. Referring to photo 3, and the long vertical shaft on the left: the operator would pull a horizontal lever on this shaft to rotate it. At the top of this shaft is a crank which moves a horizontal spring-loaded shaft. This in turn acts on another crank to turn the rocker which opens and closes the steam inlet valve and exhaust valve.
Part way up the vertical shaft will be seen a level with a small roller on the RH end. When the cylinder rises, a ramp on the side of the cylinder contacts the lever to rotate the shaft and open the exhaust valve, therby allowing the cylinder/hammer to drop.
The small 'quadrant' attached to the cylinder is called a 'kicker'. As the hammer impact the workpiece, inertia causes the kicker to rotate. By means not apparent, this allows the main vertical shaft to rotate and the horizontal shaft to move under the action of its spring, thereby opening the steam admission valve.
Just vissible below the main verticaal shaft is a small protruding shaft. This should have a hand lever on it. Referring now to photo #, this allows the operator to open and cose the steam supply valve at the top of the machine.