CTaylorJr

To answer the original question, I'd use 15n20 and 108X (1080, 1085, etc).  Stack up about 12 layers, forge weld them together, and then twist the billet several times.  For higher layer counts, prior to twisting, you could cut the billet into equal lengths, stack them up, forge weld together, and then draw out and twist...

To make the grips, use the existing grips as a pattern, and then get busy with the grinder, files, sand paper, and drill...

On 3/14/2016 at 2:11 PM, Glenn said:

How much are the tools in a blacksmith shop worth.

2 answers, Not a single penny or not enough to go to jail over. BIGGUNDOCTOR

Usually quite a bit more than I told my wife I paid for them!

I forgot that this is the forum that assumes everyone is an idiot.

Yes, I did a web search, as stated in my first sentence..., Yes I see that the company went out of business, etc...  

The QUESTION I had was about the age of this.  I find references to LOTS of other models, but the 65A seems to be one model that isn't referenced.

Also, most of the "Red Seal/Scale" embossing I see have "Guaranteed" on them, while this one does not.  So, any ideas?

In case anyone else is interested in the Red Seal/American Scale, here is a link...  

http://viseinfo.com/?page_id=10

I got this vise from a family member and can't find any reference online about it.  The picture with the writing says "American Red Seal No. 65A".  It's around 75 pounds  

Anyone have any clue as to age?

Yeah, I got lucky when I found this guy.  He's always coming up with something.  Last year he brought me some "junk" wood he had laying in his shop.  Junky stuff like high figured walnut and some dunno wood.  Makes for some very nice scales.  

Hmm, 12-pack, I may pay in advance and see what he finds.  

A friend of mine called me this morning and told me to check my email.  He said he sent me a pic of a "box of junk" he gathered up for me.  

After I saw the pic, I told him it's not all junk and I'd pay him a little, he said to bring him a 6-pack and we'd call it even...  I like the way he thinks!

That looks great!  I like the foot controls you have on it as well.

I've been pondering a press like this, you have me inspired to gather some materials!

Thomas, I trust your judgement. I've been a member her for many years, but only started posting recently.  Your posts are usually on target  

The thing is, when this anvil left me, it was pristine.  Now, when I see the marks, it just makes me mad.  The face is t salvageable.  It laid in the mud for a "couple of years", according to a cousin.  

I just want to make her look good...

Does anyone see an issue with me grinding and sanding the horn and shelf on this anvil?

The marks are making me crazy and it pi$$es me off when I see them.

That's an amazing piece of work!

That make perfect sense!  Thanks folks.

10 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

Best way to clean up the face is to USE IT and let the scale polish it out.

That's the plan.  I have a couple of weeks worth of work on the shop, and then it's game on!

Not sure if it's superstition, but after wire brushing and lightly sanding the face of my recently reaquired anvil, I rubbed a little Crown and Coke into the face....  I've always done that to smokers I made, so I figured it couldn't hurt...

I just got this anvil back, and I'm certain I never paid enough attention in the past to spot these.  

Both of these holes are on the ends of the anvil base, what are they for?

This is great information!   All my life I've heard that the "perfect" spot for the face was knuckle height with a closed fist, this makes much more sense!

thank you!

Thanks for the words of support folks!  I plan to hang out here and POST this time around, been lurking for quite a few years. 

Well, I've learned a bit more about the abuse this girl suffered.  According to a cousin, she laid in the mud for quite a few years, and now that I've wire brushed and hit the top with a sander, I can see that the rust hid a LOT from me upon first inspection.  Luckily, I'm right handed and my "side" of the anvil face is in decent shape.  It looks like a hatchet was used on the shelf and the horn, but it'll still work for me  

I have quite a bit more to do to her, but I'll do it a little at a time.  Right now I need to get the shop back in shape and finish a good stand.  As I progress, I'll post pics...

Feels great to have this thing back!  I'm just thankful that the only abuse it really got was sitting out in the weather.

I did a rebound test on it this afternoon.  I used a 1/2" ball bearing and dropped it from 10".  Bounced back to 8.5-9" each time.  I'm happy.

Now, tonight I have to build a stand for it.  The footprint for this one (11"x11") is much larger than the 70 pound anvil I have now.

When I was 15 my grandfather gave me this anvil after I had made a few knives from farm steel.  At 26, my grandfather passed away and this extremely possessive uncle decided he wanted it and came and got it.  At that point in my life I was getting married and not really making knives and didn't put up much of a fuss.  Well, when I got back into making knives 6 years ago, I inquired about the anvil and was told it had been sold many years ago.   I was a bit irked, to say the least, but once again dropped out of knife work in late 2014 due to a shop fire   

Fast forward to December, the uncle passes away and I'm asked by my aunt to come out to his farm and get a few tools.  Sitting behind the barn was my anvil...  According to my aunt, he put it behind the barn when they moved to the place 10 or so years ago.  She had no idea it was mine until I mentioned it in passing when she asked about my getting back into knife and metal work since the insurance company finally settled.

Now, the questions, looking at the marks and reading online, am I correct that it's 177 pounds?  Also, any idea on age?

i have a LOT of clean up and rebuilding to do in the shop, but I'll be here getting back into the swing soon!