Farmall

Dragons Lair, right now, the anvil, the hammer, even the floor are probably better than my ability. I can appreciate the rant. It always amazes me what fantastic stuff people can create using the simplest of tools. I have seen photos of Simmonds work, and his anvil, and he demonstrates that It truly is the wielder of the tool, not the tool itself. I have found though, that generally, good tools make it easier to do the job. That being said, again, it is the ability of the user that makes the piece, not the tools. If I came across as saying that "I need this big anvil to do the work", it's not that at all. It's just that I have a, maybe once in a lifetime, opportunity to get a large anvil and wanted some additional perspectives on which one. No apologies needed. I don't want to run one shop and manage another! I got too much going on in the one!. Thanks for your comments.

buddy of mine's house was 4 miles from the epicenter. House built in the 1920's. 1 chimney on the ground and major foundation cracks. Said was still getting aftershocks as of 8 tonight. May not have been a "large" magnitude, but it was too large for him!

First, thank you for all the answers. Please keep the responses coming. Bigger anvil appeals to me because of the mass. No plans on moving it or me around much. I was thinking that the opportunity to get a large anvil doesn't come around as much as the opportunity to get a 150# or so as they are far more common. "Anvil envy"? Nope, not me. Just seems like what yesteryearforge says...I can always do small things on a large anvil, but is more difficult to do large things on a small anvil. I anticipate doing mostly "smaller" things, but the ability to do "large things" more readily because of the anvil size does have an appeal. However, that appeal can wear quickly if I had to move it much, so the smaller anvil wins in that category. I like the idea of getting them both, but just one, either one, will not be easy for me. If he'll hold the other a couple of years, I stand a chance. I am leaning towards the larger, mostly because they don't come around much and would give me a nice large face to work with.

I have an opportunity to get a nice anvil. Friend has several and offered me a deal that I can't pass up. Will be swapping a few things along with some cash. Going to hurt a little, but too good a deal to pass up. Choice is between a 275# and a 400# one. (400# will obviously cost a wee bit more) Can only afford one. Given the chance, which size would you prefer and why? I have been reading up in various forums and have read how some people say a large anvil just gets in the way and they use the smaller one more, and others say they love the mass of a big anvil. I realize it is a personal choice and ultimately is my decision, but would like to hear from some of you and what you think.....so, if you could get only one anvil, and had two choices, a 275# and a 400# one, which one and why? Anvils are same style, same condition.

Thanks for any and all input.

Thomas, if you will send me your address, I'll send it to you. I'd rather someone with more experience than I braze this. I have been working on the other bits of the forge, and keep looking at the cracks. So, I'll get them on their way to you if you would be so kind as to tell me where to send them!

Thanks.

Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May you gain some comfort in knowing that your friends here on Iforge have you in their thoughts.

Prayers sent from Virginia..........

Thanks arftist. Dad still heats with wood, so I can get as many wood ashes as I want! I've got enough fire brick to make a "bed".

I am in Virginia. Would love to come to Texas to learn, but it is a bit of a drive. Last time I drove to Dallas, took me 22 hours! Thanks for the advance. I do have some other pieces of cast iron I was going to practice on first to try and get the feel for things.

Ok, I have never brazed before. I got a small forge that has a cast iron gear wheel cracked in two places. I figure its time to learn how to braze. So, I've attached a picture so you know the task at hand. I figure for the outside ring crack, I'll grind from the top down almost to the bottom edge, fill it, then grind to shape. For the spoke, I was thinking of grinding towards the middle from both sides, then filling and grinding to shape. However, I don't know if I should preheat, and if so, how much, and most importantly, what brazing rod to use (and where to get it). Do I fill it with brazing material all at once or do I layer it? I appreciate any and all help. Thanks.

First, I am fairly new to this sport of blacksmithing and need some help. I just got this nice little forge, and while it works, I have taken it apart to clean it and fix what needs fixing. I believe it is the No. 5 size based on a Buffalo Forge Catalog. The holes in the rim of the bowl point to the half round hood.

So, here's my questions.....the geared wheel has cracked through in two places as you can see in the photo. What is the best way to fix that or does anyone have a replacement? I can weld a bit, but since this is cast iron, I am not sure if I could weld it without making it worse.

Second, where the lever is hinged to crank it, over the years the bolt holding it in place was allowed to loosen and has worn a pretty serious groove in it as you can see in the photo. What's your opinion on how to fix? Fill it with weld, or put a plate across the top of it, or what?

Oh, in case you want to know, the bowl is 18 inches across and the geared wheel is 12 inches across.

Lastly, what type of high temp paint should I use to paint it with on the outside to protect it? Thanks for any and all help.

There are coal suppliers in Roanoke Virginia as well. Last time I checked it was $12 for 60 pound bag, $280/ton

Thanks, Phil! That's what I needed. That should not be difficult at all to make.

Fair enough.....but I do like to keep the equipment looking good.....can't do much about the blacksmith! :rolleyes:

Just picked this blower today and have started cleaning it. turns easily, and puts out lots of air. Can't wait to get the mud daubers nests out and the mouse nests all the way out..got most of them already. Anybody got a scanned copy of a Champion catalog that I could see this advertised? Anyway, does anyone have a either a spare handle I can have (5/8-inch shaft) or one that they can take pictures of so I can copy it? Thanks for any insight.

Prayers from Virginia........

buddy of mine got tired of losing his, so he used a piece of .375 wall, 8-inch steel pipe with a back and door welded on it as his mailbox on top of the usually wooden post. While they could knock it over, the mailbox never got hurt.

I know I'd be interested in it if it was close enough to pick up!

Where is it located?

perhaps.....but only paid $20 for it and thought it might make a good upsetting anvil......

Just got this small anvil..weighs 60 pounds and is marked on the bottom with a "6" No other markings so far, but I am still cleaning off the pretty silver paint. Any ideas gentlemen? Is a two piece anvil as evidenced by the line between the top and the base. Looking forward to your ideas. If I find any other markings as I get the paint off, I'll post them....

Had some time today, so downloaded the photos, put them in order (by page number) and created a single Adobe .pdf of them to make it easier for anyone that wants it.

Hay Budden 1914 Catalog.pdf

Gotta love the description - "great stocking stuffer"...


http://roanoke.craigslist.org/tls/2108204348.html

I'll post some more pics once I get'er all cleaned up so we can all see the weld job. Rings solid, even through that weld. measured it wrong too....face is about 4-1/2 inches by 18, so that seems like it would be around 200# based on the HB literature.....

Thanks....got some cleaning to do and hope I find some markings......got this for $100 to get it out of the way....

but don't know much about it...was used in a fellow's grandfather's fabrication shop until 1941 when it got put in the barn. It looks like the top was rewelded to the bottom....but it rings like a bell on all sides from top to bottom..am going to clean it off with a wire wheel and see if I can find any markings....any ideas on what it might weigh? It is 29 inches long by 3-1/2 inches wide. Was all I could do to lift it straight up onto the tailgate of the pickup. I hope I can figure maker out, and I'll weigh it this weekend. 'Preciate any and all help.