marcusb

Everytime I get anvil fever (See a 500+ pounder for a decent price) I tell myself "A bigger anvil wont make me a better blacksmith" That line usually calms the fever down. I was very lucky to find two nice 300 pound anvils, and with out a striker, I cant see needing a bigger one I figure money is better spent on training and other tools that allow one man to acomplish a two man job. On a side note, the thought of spending 2000 to 3000 dollars on 1 anvil and letting someone else swing a very large hammer at it, doesnt sound like a good time to me!

Pretty set of dentures on that old girl :P Nice job on the whole restoration

Very nice find, looks like the old style Rock Island, my favorite vise. Keep this up and you well have to expand the shop!

I recently looked at a 510 pound soderfors paragon anvil with the intent to purchase. All the indications on that anvil lead me to belive it was of forged construction. I would imagine they switched to casting as the technology improved and labor became more costly. I would also add that the forging on the anvil was impressive, I own a couple larger late forged anvils of american manufacture and they are no where near the level of fit and finnish that Swedish anvil was.

I have been giving the slotless screws some thought. Question, are there and perceptible ridges on the face of the screws. All I could think of is a reverse style screw, instead of a slot, a raised blade if you will. Make this thin enough and it would shear when the proper tourqe was reached. This would allow a smooth clean face and the QC to know the jaws pads were tourqed to specs.

I like it!, Table looks very stout, and leg looks factory, good job

Cant beat that price! Going to heat that leg up and give it a tweak?

Glad they came out. If they were flush I would say the just turned them in and cut off excess. But like you stated, they were recessed so this was not so. The mysteries are many with old tools

Very Cool, Ive never seen one like it. Any idea what it weighs? Have plans to put it to work?

Rock Island is my favorite bench vise. Toughest ones built in my opinion. Your looks like there later style with screw in jaw pads. For screws like that I have drilled a hole in the center and drove in an easy out, square shank and turn them out. Also used sqaure drive inserts before when I easy out wasnt available. As far as the resto, I would suggest not using a wire wheel, the bodies on these are soft and its easy to round edges and damage the markings.To be honest, I usually knock off the loose paint and use them as is. A vise during use gets pretty dirty and scratched up, and to me I guess its preserving history :rolleyes:

I always ask at least length before I travel. Over 30" and I will drive for it

Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it. Im excited, hope to gain some much needed shop space! Intial calculations are 2000 pounds of iron, going to be rough on the old Ranger!

Hi guys, This will be my first year attending quadstate, and I plan to haul along a "pile" of stuff to clean out my shop. Could anyone give me any tips and advice for selling tools at this event? Where to set up, when I should arrive etc Any ideas on price ranges for common tools. I am limited by my small truck on what I can bring and have to pick and choose, hate to bring along things people dont buy. Thanks for any imput and hope to meet you there. Marcus

Great score! Old junk filled farms are quickly dissapearing here to. I think its a combination of high scrap prices and the transition to cash crops

I intially thought you meant it covered the screw, which would make sense to keep scale out of the mechanism and prevent wear. I imgaine that it could be a replacement box, which used to be readily available, and perhaps it had a loose fit. I could see shimming mine if they had that issue. I often wonder about the screws on these old vises, jaws worn smooth makes you ponder how many screws they have worn out thru there long lives.

I bought this trenton several months back. I have been unable to locate a serial number. Scales 308 pounds and has very good rebound

I drilled an oak 4x4 nearly thru then stepped for the Bulb. Sized it for a tap in fit, this is thru bolted to runners under the table. There is no movement at all

Thanks for all the help guys, I got ahold of him on the phone. Hes had health issues like I feared, and assured me it was on its way. Thanks again Marcus

Handtruck was my best investment, only downside is has to be on the floor For the most economical and space saving option, I would suggest the folding cherry picker as others have. I would suggest checking those folding hoists over well before you use it. I bought one new that had lifting beam welded off axis and would tip when you picked up something, returned that one fast! I built a small gantry from stock on hand to unload items inside and outside my shop. Something of this style takes up more room but makes larger bulky objects possible to move with ease.

Oh man, what a find. I would clay that baby to be safe!

Looks like a fine anvil Tulsa! Welcome to IFI

Metal99, I to had not seen on like that before. Was a little unsure when I bought it. After I got it home and did some reading on it I figured it out. Its the last series of trenton, top half is forged from single hunk of tool steel and arc welded to cast steel base. Made these from 35 to there closing in 53 if I remeber right. I also have a last series hay budden 304 pound forged top half of tool steel forge welded to a wrought base and the waist is the same width 7 inches for both. Heres a pic, to my eye they look pretty similar in overall porportions.

My newest addition. #308 pounds

Thanks for all the tips guys, I really appreciate it. Sounds like i need to do some calculations Heres a pic, shows how its setup. currently driven shaft turns around 700 rpm

Hello all, I have an odd request. I sent a large vise base to a company in maryland for repair around febuary. Got pics and emails it was done and going to be shipped back then have not been able to contact the owner since. Been sending emails with no response. There has been no money exchanged, I am just concernedd something may have happened to him. I am hoping there may be someone in the area that knows him or may know a phone number I could try him at, all our contact has been email. heres the company http://www.georgemillermachine.com/3701.html Thanks Marcus