CurlyGeorge

I should have added that neither the top or bottom die have a hole in them. :blink:

A friend of mine gave me this tool, the other day, and was just sure that I could use it. I don't know for sure what it is. It looks similar to my hand held Whitney punch. But the bottom die moves up to about flush with the opening and the top die(?) screws up or down for some sort of adjustment. It measures about 4 1/2" tall and 12 1/2" long. The moveable handle is spring loaded, to return to the open position when you let off the pressure. It's a "Little Giant" brand. But what the heck is it??

The IVBA has open forge at Carlinville. I'm not sure what days they have it. But if you contact the IVBA, they can answer that. Try Steve Parker at 217-935-2797. Also, you may want to contact Lorelei Sims, in Charleston. She's on the east central side of ILL, but runs 5 Points Blacksmith Shop. Call during the day and you will probably catch her at the shop. Her number is 217-345-1159. If she can't help you on the teaching end, she may be able to recommend someone in your area that can. Don't give up. Follow the idea. Good luck. :)

WOW!!! Now that's cool!!! :)

I agree with Phil about wrist high. I have my 250 Trenton (shop anvil) and my 150 Trenton (traveling demo anvil) both set about that height. I'm about 6" and I was the same way about stooping over. Gets to the back in a hurry. I just had to slightly adjust my hammer blows to make sure the I was hitting flat. :)

Neat projects, John. I'll bet the students did enjoy making them. Thanks for sharing the pics. :)

Anagram, I'm not sure what that slot is/was for. But I wouldn't do anything to try to repair it. I can see where it would come in handy for several things. Like you said, you still have a lot of clear area to work on. Other than the slot, it looks like it's in great shape. My 2 cents. :D

Good job, BT. I had faith in ya!!! :D

I have sold two Vulcans in the last few months. Both were really good anvils in really good shape. One was 104 pounds, sold for $150 and the other was 125 pounds and sold for $200. You don't have your location listed under your name. So I'm not sure what part of the world you are in, or what anvils are going for there. I probably could have gotten more for them. But both went to new blacksmiths. So I was happy and so were they. :)

Not sure what you are talking about. I checked the link that you posted and I couldn't find any hammer.

The anvil rings in Illinois.

Hey Dan. I sent you a PM. :)

We have a lot to be thankful for, in this country. So I, too, wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. God bless the folks on this site. You all help each other with a lot of info and experience. For that I am very thankful. :)

How much are you asking for it, Dan? I may be interested. I don't need one very often. But when you need one, it would be great to have. :)

I haven't seen the video. But I have seen some of Herschel's guns. The man is a great gunsmith, and I know that he does make a lot of his own lock parts. It should be well worth getting the video if you want to make locks. My 2 cents. :)

That's a dandy, John. I agree with Josh, you haven't lost your touch. Good job. Glad to hear it's going to help the Vets!! :)

That's a little over $3 a pound. I don't know what anvils are going for in Missouri, but that's a little high in Illinois. But if you feel it would be worth it to you, I'd say buy it. It's not an outrageous price. Just a little higher than I'd personally pay. The serial numbers for Hay-Budden starting with 151 were made in 1908, according to Anvils In America. :)

Got a picture of it? Maybe we could see better what you did. :)

I like the idea of a removable grate. Of course, 1/2" plate shouldn't need replacing too often. :)

Clean shop?? What's that? :D

If your walls are not covered with drywall, etc, fasten some metal straps across the studs and use the stud space for storage. Can't be too long of stock, though. Look at the wall behind my tire hammer, in the picture below.

Wes, that is really cool. I think that is the first LARGE fishing jig that I have seen forged. Thanks for sharing. :)

Hey Jim. According to Anvils In America, your anvil was born in 1911. :)

Don't believe everything Ian says about us. We're not all that bad. Tell Ian I said Hi. :D

Hey Don. I'm in the process of making a candle stand for a customer. It's made from 1" square bar with a long twist. Fortunately, the customer furnished the bar and it already had the twist.