Power hammer or treadle hammer, which one actually pays off?

Dropped $3,800 on an 88lb power hammer after my elbow gave out from hand hammering, and it cut my forging time in half. But my buddy swears a $200 treadle hammer did the same for him without the motor headaches. Has anyone else gone one way or the other and regretted it?

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jordan90315d ago

Honestly sounds like you bought a problem. I ran a treadle for five years before upgrading, and the only thing the power hammer gave me was a reason to learn basic motor repair. You traded elbow pain for belt tension headaches, bearing wear, and a machine that needs its own space and foundation. My treadle sat in the corner, cost me nothing to run, and let me feel every hit so I didn't overwork the steel. Plus when the motor burns out on yours, you're down four figures. When my spring breaks, I'm out twenty bucks and an afternoon.