Stash

50 bux? Naah. Get the hammers cheep at flea markets and garage sales. I've turned nippers into usable tools, but the rest is 'meh'. Steve

The files should work for (wait for it......) filing. If not cold filing, then hot filing, or if totally shot, use the hi carbon in projects.(See TP's comment above). The rifflers (bent files/rasps are good in the woodworking toolbox for sculpting. Chisels are great for their intended purpose, and also can be adapted by grinding or forging into more chisels, punches, drifts, fullers, etc.The flatbar would end up as intended in my kit, unless I already had a bunch, then...... Not a bad haul. I tend to have a few buckets of imilar material waiting at the ready. Steve

Show us pix, or it never happened! Steve

Definitely a Hay-Bud. Looks like 86 lbs from the factory. Might have lost a few pounds since then, but a great anvil, and a good size for hauling around. Remember, no grinding. Polish the top with hot metal, wire brush the base if you want. Steve

Depending on how many trees you have, it might be worthwhile bringing a portable mill to your site. Around here guys with portables advertise on CL, or you could go to the Woodmizer site. I had a guy come to my site, and in a mornings time, with my help, I ended up with over 1100 bf of mostly walnut, and some oak for $.30/ bf , milled to my specs. Some guys work by the bf, some by the hr, and may or may not have a minimum set-up. I kept the premium stuff, and sold enough to recoup my cost. Worth a thought. Steve

Looks like she was rode hard and put away wet. That said, plenty of life left. One edge pretty chewed up, but the other edge looks very usable. You didn't do bad. Steve

I thought Trentons were made by Columbus Iron and Forge. Two different companies with similar names. I don't have AIA to refer to right now- just rapidly fading memory. Steve

Happy Bird Day to one and all from Steve and Hilary. Many many blessings to be thankful for. Time to go slice and dice the turkey. Now, where did I leave my Ronco Vegematic? Steve

Yup Steve

Hey Bud- like Das said, you'll have no problem using the galv pipe for your stack. 12" dia will move a fair amount of air thru it, that'll help to keep things from getting too hot. That's what I used for my Hofi style side sucker. Yeah, this aging thine ain't any fun. I still have all my original factory issued parts, and they're working more or less within design spec, but my zerks must be clogged or something- things are really creaky. Keep on plugging. Steve

Hey Brian- pix didn't come thru for me. Anyway, here's what I did for my cast rivet forge. I cleaned the crack area and once I was sure I found the end , I drilled a hole, 1/8- 3/16 " or so, with the thought that would stop the crack from expanding. I then bridged the crack with short straps (1/8 x 3/4 x 2-3" or so) bolted thru the strap and pan. once that was done I clayed the whole pan. Seemed to work well. I used it for a while with no problem before passing it on. Steve

It is pretty cool how the whole construction seems to transition from theoretical to reality once the structure starts going up. The bones are now in place and the scale is revealed. Looking good! Stay safe. Steve

"US based" is still too broad. You don't need to give us your address or specific latitude/longitude, but different areas of the US may be 'rich in anvils, other areas are 'poor', which affects their value. Right here in SEPA /Phila area that anvil in that condition could fetch $3 US per pound easily. Steve

Finally getting a round to it- this followed me home Saturday. Nothing was happening when I turned the handle, but the handle turned when I spun the fan. Pulled the thing apart, the main handle gear was spinning on the shaft. It seems the rollpin that kept the gear affixed to the shaft had pulled out. It was quick and easy to re align things and send the rollpin home. What a nice quiet, smooth blower this is. I moved the Champion 400 into the bullpen and put this in its place. I spilled a little crank case oil moving it, but seems very happy there. My bathroom exhaust fan blower might have some competition. Steve

Blackegg- very nice, the heat coloring looks awesome. Steve

Good find! Mount 'er to something sturdy and get to work. Steve

I wouldn't bother trying to 'refurbish' it- it's not that bad off. The face looks pretty usable as is. I would just try to find a few spots on the front and rear edges to remove some raggedness and create a few radiused edges. If you need sharper edges you can make a hardie block with whatever radius you need. Work with it for a while before you do any major work (which is probably not really necessary). Steve

Yeah, I thought it was something like that. That was just my CRS kicking in again. Steve

I think there are 2 smithing groups in western PA- PAABA ( Pittsburg area artist blacksmith assoc) and Oil City (Not sure the full name). PABA tends to trend to the east- central area. I think also that next June sometime the PA groups will have a joint meeting at Center for Metal Arts in Johnstown. Find a way to get involved. Steve

Like Thomas said, bolts threaded into the firepot. Chances are good that they have become one with the firepot. If you take things apart, you will have an awkward time re drilling and threading for new bolts. This is from personal experience. If you dont need to take it apart, don't. Steve

Spell check is my worst enema. Steve

Wow, what a good looking beast. What are specs on it? Steve

Actually the magnetic field is synched via an adjustable photo cell. When set up properly, you feel like you're in a Farraday cage, at one with the energy field. This is why Edison was so upset with Tesla. (the inventor, not the car) Steve

The mystery image looks like a magnetic switch. Maybe it was one of the experimental electric anvils. Steve

The epicenter of the infestation is just w of me in Reading,PA. Here in Bucks Co, there are vineyards that have taken a beating this year. There is hope- 2 naturally occurring fungi have been found to affect the critters. Penn State is working on them, and I think one has been available for commercial use. Until then, squishem! Steve