How much travel is in the foot treadle?
The foot treadle is user adjustable. Generally, the travel is 5-6″. There is a stop collar in the horizontal shaft leading into the body of the machine, and this provides the ultimate limits. Within practical reason the longer the travel of the foot treadle, the more precise is the control over the hammer blows. Most owners place a 4″ thick block of wood under their heel and press the treadle with the ball of their foot. Some smiths prefer to use their heel to press the treadle, resting the ball of the foot on the edge of the hammer base. The machine is adaptable to the ergonomics desired by the operator.
