Robar

Nice score Mark. Even better that you could get it home on the cheap.

Stereo in the shop. I listen to local FM Hard Rock stations, though sometimes I'll bust out some Sabbath, killswitch engaged, mudvayne, avenged sevenfold or the like. It's amazing how light my hammer gets with the right mood music. Run through the Godsmack play list and see if that don't get you fired up for beating the heck out of something.

I also get the "clinker". More so from my homemade charcoal than bought lump charcoal. I figured it was from sand too.

Congrats! I think you did very well.

Cool another Michigan Guy getting bit by the bug! Phil, don't get me started on matchless antiques...

Absolutely stunning and one of the best back stories I've ever heard of.

Not that I am an expert, but I think it looks very nice. Good Job!

I couldn't find a thing on the Asian Food Channel. ;) Do you have a link slowpoke?

I like your scrap yards prices a lot better than mine, the one I go to charges .32 cents a pound. I brought home some sq. tube, hex and round bar today. I also found a nice block (4"x6"x15") of hot rolled steel, but passed because I really needed the 33 bucks more than the steel.

I can't express how much I enjoy seeing pic (and videos) from Brian's shop! Always inspiring, Thanks!!

I've experienced these "fireflies" with lump charcoal that I bought just to try it out. I make my own and have zero flies, but I make it he simple way by burning a bunch of wood down to coals and putting it out with the hose.

I'll have to start looking past the roses... Maybe I'll find a killer vise or maybe even a nice old swage block!

I think I'm going to be making a 1" square drift. Brian's striking anvil is what I was picturing when I set out to make this. I don't mind hammering the heck out of a chisel, but I don't mind heating up the whole thing and drifting it either.

Red that is about the heaviest looking step vise I've ever seen! I'm fairly envious!

The one inch round was already drilled before I started this tread so I think I'm beyond being able to drill the corners. I tried the chisel method and am having some success, but with a 3" thick piece of steel its obviously slow going. This I don't mind as it is forward progress - I put about an hour into it today and am happy with the results thus far. In the end if I end up with a fairly square hole that takes the same hardy tools as my anvil I'll be happy!

Thanks for all the replies. I actually though about using my sawsall but seriously doubted my ability to keep firm control of the far end of the blade. I kinda like Phil's Idea about heating it up and running it through with a square drift. If I could get it close to shape and size I wouldn't actually be displacing much metal. Will also try the chisel as I have one already.

Okay I have this block of cold roll steel 3"x4.5"x21" aprox 70 lbs. It was my first "Anvil", but now I want to put it back into commission as a striking anvil. So I drilled a 1" hole in it yesterday for a hardy hole and am looking for suggestions on how to make it square. I've seen the video on making a swage block using a piece of 1" plate, but I think having to square up a hole in a 3" thick piece presents its own problems. I've thought of maybe a hacksaw and trying to cut the corners, but I think this may work better in theory, than practice. I've also wondered about destroying a good wood chisel to see if that would work. Any and all Ideas would be greatly appreciated.

That is very cool John. Love the "Hillbilly Fix" Robert - You know, the bearded guy who makes all that awful noise while playing with fire in his garage - that guy.

As an aside to the historical direction this thread has taken. I would like to comment on that fine hammer that Dave was using. Cool to see you using the hammer that you made with Brian. Looks like it works great!

I wouldn't waste my time or money on it. My first anvil was a piece of cold rolled steel that measured 3x4x21 and weight something close to 70 lbs. Used on end it put a lot of steel under the hammer and worked pretty well for what it was. Think solid! Stay away from beams and such. It would be more noise, vibration, and frustration that what it's worth. My two pesos worth...

I have 2 nice vices and one that needs a little tlc and I'd unload the whole lot for 800.00 Then go buy another farm fresh one for 30-50 bucks!

No one except titled nobility or royalty is entitled to anything in this world. Even for them it is only because they say so and others listen! We all pretty much come here to learn, share or just for entertainment. I lurked for a while just reading before becoming a member. I don't have much to share as I am a rank amateur, but I read and learn. No one is entitled to information from another person, but I'm glad that so many people here share it willingly otherwise I may not even be in it at the hobby level. Thanks to you all!

Thank you Thomas

I have heard and read that saw blades are good for making knife blades. I'm fairly confused on what saw blades make good knife blades. While all I have is a pic, but no specific information could someone give a clue? I found these for sale locally and am wondering if they are the right type of blade. Thanks for the help. Robert

Last weekend this nice cone followed me home from the same farm as the blower and bench vise. 100.00 took it. I told the fella that they go for 300+ plus on ebay but there was no way I'd pay that for it. I let him think about it a couple weeks and called him back. After assuring him I wasn't buying it to resell he sold it for 100.00 and made me an offer on this anvil which I picked up this weekend. My 100 lb Hay_Budden plus 200 for his 200 Lb Hay-Budden. I know it seems like a bit of a spree and it truely was I also have two new to me, leg vises that I aquired in the last month or so. A 6" for 70.00 and a 4.5" for 37.50 Both of those came from online auctions of the local variety not ebay. It seems like I've kinda jump in whole hog and bought a hobby to the casual reader, but I been beating on hot steel for almost 2 year with nothing more for than a block of cold roll and a home made forge. I figure that all these things falling into my lap is the man aboves way of telling me it was finally my time. Either way I'm happy as can be!