Metal shaping apparatus

A power hammer assembly comprising:

• a body assembly;
• an upper die assembly having an upper forming die and a means for driving the upper forming die wherein the means for driving the upper forming die directs the upper forming die in a vertical, reciprocating motion;
• and
• a lower die assembly having a lower forming die and a means for vertically positioning the lower forming die, the means for vertically positioning the lower forming die allowing the lower forming die to be raised and lowered with respect to the upper forming die so as to selectively define a die opening between the lower forming die and the upper forming die.

A method for forming metal with a power hammer comprising:

• selecting a die set having a top forming die and a bottom forming die for shaping a metal sheet;
• attaching the top forming die to a top die holder and the bottom forming die to bottom die holder;
• positioning the bottom forming die to establish a selected die opening defined between the top forming die and the bottom forming die wherein the selected die opening corresponds to the metal sheet;
• and
• actuating a motor to generate a reciprocating, vertical motion for the top forming die.