stuarthesmith Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 As I had stated in a previous thread, I had a Hay Budden that a lady gave my mother, over 30 years ago, which originally weighed 200 Lbs., that someone had knocked the heel off it. Being a freebee, I couldn't very well object to the gift. It languished on my shop floor for thirty years. A very good friend of mine, named Jim Kieffer, a genius of a blacksmith, offered to repair it last year. He forged a wrought iron heel under a hydraulic press which upset it, then he forge-welded a high carbon steel plate to the heel that he had made. It was broken off at the hardy hole; no doubt some fool tried to force a hardy into the hole too big for the hole. My friend then, using his tandem forges and a capable assistant, forge welded the new heel to the rest of the anvil. The result is magnificent, a beautiful, beautifully proportioned hay budden anvil that rings like a church bell, which is at lEAST as good as new. Jim winkingly said to me, as I rolled away down his driveway, "please don't break this heel off"! I am attaching pictures, which I just took in my living room, so please forgive the library table and the grandfather clock in the background. I am going to use this anvil while doing demonstrations at craft fairs and reenactments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick C Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Superb job, certainly a master craftsmen there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 How did he reharden the face after welding on a new heal? I have been wondering this since you first told us about this anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Stuart, that is a nice looking anvil. Try to talk him in to doing another one and take pix and do a BP. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 So basically your friend is fixing anvils in the traditional way. I bet if word got out that he was doing this he would be individuated with work. I wonder if he can reface a whole anvil. If so this guy would be my personal hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Tell him we are impressed! Looks excellent. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrismetalsmith Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Stewart, Very nice. Jim Kiefer is the man! I to am a recipient of his kindness, he aprenticed me every Saturday on and off for about 2 years. He also hooked me up with my first power hammer, a Champion #0. He is demonstrating at my hammer in on October 23rd. Perryville, MD. Harrismetalsmith.com Stewart I gotta meet you some time, we have more in common than I realized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Chambers Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 So basically your friend is fixing anvils in the traditional way. I bet if word got out that he was doing this he would be individuated with work. I wonder if he can reface a whole anvil. If so this guy would be my personal hero. +1 for "individuated " a word going on my word-a-day calendar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Wharton Esherick,in my mind was neither a sculptor nor a painter.He was a magician. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting his shop which is now a museum can plainly see the works of a man who knew how to create illusions and saw things not for what they were but for their potential. This world was his toy box,through his mind and hands all things were possible.He mixed alchemy,magic and art. A truly great and visionary man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 +1 for "individuated " a word going on my word-a-day calendar Yea I don't know where that came from perhaps an over tired dyslexic with a computer. can I get a +1!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 looks good Stewart...I got my Mouse hole up there right now....he is just gonna clean up the edges a little...good guy i may take up the PW i got from you and have him put some nice sdges on that one too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastRonin Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I am going to have to see if I can get in touch with him and find out what he would charge to fix my Mousehole... if it's even possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastRonin Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Ok... I've searched multiple search engines and can't find a way to contact Jim Keifer. I've found many mentions of him, but no contact methods... can someone help please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuarthesmith Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 the original photos disappeared, so for the good of the forum, reposting one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks for re-posting pics Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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