Sweet advice about the vinegar! I'll have to try that. I've been making some scrolled wall hooks and I've had a hell of a time getting the scale off of 'em.
Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try the pantyhose trick...it seems like it would work. It didn't even dawn on me how I would mount the silly thing...oh and it is straight drive motor.
Great start, congrats! About the anvil...don't sweat it. I'm still using a 50lb calibration weight flipped upside down using the flat side. I like the simplicity of your forge. Keep going!