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So another week and another Swap meet and that means more items for the Smithy (I hope). So on the shopping list today we have a Break Drum (for the forge I want to build), A hammer or two (a nice 2lb cross peen would be great), a set of tongs , a hand crank blower, an Anvil around 100 lbs and maybe some coil springs or leaf springs that are cheap. So the plan is to leave at 5am, well either my dad cant read a clock or "his" clock is always fast because we leave the house around 4:40 am. So off to Gateway Speedway on the IL side of the river. It was a pretty crappy day to be looking for stuff, rain, wind and just overcast and cool. But we were prepared with our umbrellas and at least it wasn't a downpour but the mist gets old after awhile. I could tell the weather kept a few of the vendors away but all in all there still was a lot to go through.
I didn't see many blacksmithing items, but I did see one anvil. It was pretty big maybe a 350lb one, the guy want 600+ bucks for and to be honest it wasn't in that good of shape. So we for sure past on that. The crazy thing about buying a break drum is they always either come in pairs or with an axle attached and that blows out my price range. I am not going to pay 30 or so bucks for something that is just going to be my firebox. But luck was with me on this day, I came across a pair (again always in two) break drums for 5 bucks, they seemed to be in good order and in good shape. They are off, well the guy said they were off a 57 Chevy. Now 15 years ago when dad was restoring his 57 Bel Air Chevy, they would have been an $50 item each ! Man its funny how time can change some prices. But for 5 bucks I picked up the two.
So that's two items for my Smithy (the break drum and my Post Vise from last weeks meet), and a back up break drum for the forge. On down the road I found a good sized Ball Peen hammer. It seemed to be around 1 1/2 or so lbs and the handle wasn't in too bad of shape. I have noticed one thing, how come all ball peen hammers have black electrical tape around them? Does anyone know? Is it just the cool thing to do or does it really serve a purpose? One of life's great mysteries I guess.
Other than the rain the swap meet was really good I thought. I was kind of tired from working till past 11 the night before and then getting up before my alarm was to go off at 4:30am (thanks Dad). So I was all ready for a nap on the way home, well ready until Dad handed me the keys to drive home! I never get to drive home but I guess Dad was a bit tired too so no big deal I guess. But we did stop at Bob Evans and had some late lunch (Thanks Dad for paying!)
So I have 3 items for the Smithy (I really need to come up with a name for it)
Post Vise - $15
Break Drum (2) for forge - $5
Ball Peen hammer - $2
So well on my way and not much money invested. Next swap meet is a Jayhawk raid in Lawrence, Kansas. So look out Jayhawkers!!!
I didn't see many blacksmithing items, but I did see one anvil. It was pretty big maybe a 350lb one, the guy want 600+ bucks for and to be honest it wasn't in that good of shape. So we for sure past on that. The crazy thing about buying a break drum is they always either come in pairs or with an axle attached and that blows out my price range. I am not going to pay 30 or so bucks for something that is just going to be my firebox. But luck was with me on this day, I came across a pair (again always in two) break drums for 5 bucks, they seemed to be in good order and in good shape. They are off, well the guy said they were off a 57 Chevy. Now 15 years ago when dad was restoring his 57 Bel Air Chevy, they would have been an $50 item each ! Man its funny how time can change some prices. But for 5 bucks I picked up the two.
So that's two items for my Smithy (the break drum and my Post Vise from last weeks meet), and a back up break drum for the forge. On down the road I found a good sized Ball Peen hammer. It seemed to be around 1 1/2 or so lbs and the handle wasn't in too bad of shape. I have noticed one thing, how come all ball peen hammers have black electrical tape around them? Does anyone know? Is it just the cool thing to do or does it really serve a purpose? One of life's great mysteries I guess.
Other than the rain the swap meet was really good I thought. I was kind of tired from working till past 11 the night before and then getting up before my alarm was to go off at 4:30am (thanks Dad). So I was all ready for a nap on the way home, well ready until Dad handed me the keys to drive home! I never get to drive home but I guess Dad was a bit tired too so no big deal I guess. But we did stop at Bob Evans and had some late lunch (Thanks Dad for paying!)
So I have 3 items for the Smithy (I really need to come up with a name for it)
Post Vise - $15
Break Drum (2) for forge - $5
Ball Peen hammer - $2
So well on my way and not much money invested. Next swap meet is a Jayhawk raid in Lawrence, Kansas. So look out Jayhawkers!!!
good luck