Ironsmyter

The anvil manufacturer SODERFORS of Sweden used to make leg vises, they were always out-fitted with brass/bronze box nuts, they also sold replacement box nuts and box screws .. the vise you have in the photos is no where close to what a Soderfors leg vise looks like, but it could possibly have a replacement box nut.. I know some other manufacturers offered replacements, but I'm not certain if they were brass or not..

Stu, Thank you very much for the compliment, I'm alot older than I look .. With that said, I've been Blacksmithing since I was 12, and have had experience on all types of power hammers, starting at the age of 13.. Any power hammer could be misconstrued as junk if the operator has no idea or experience on how its suppose to be used.. And no, I'm not saying a Fairbanks can be outran by a Little Giant, I dont recall mentioning a Fairbanks at all, but since the question has been asked, Im almost certain I can do anything on my little giant that you would be able to do on the equivilant ram weight with a fairbanks and I would even be up for the challenge, liability forms signed and all.. I'm confident in my abilities and fully aware of what I can do under any power hammer, given that its properly tuned and not worn out.. Most people under estimate a Little Giant and the capabilties they have because most people are working with one that has had too many hands on it that dont have a clue as to what they were doing to the machine, not to mention how to even use it.. Back to my original comment that you felt the need to bash, I wasnt paying special attention to the hammer because it was a "Little Giant" covered up with all that metal- per say, I would have made the same comment no matter what kind of vintage equipment it happened to be .. No worries, you didnt hurt my feelings, lol.. I'm aware that the remark has no substance, your just having fun.. And feel free to stop by the shop anytime.- Maybe we can trade some swag tips!! Let me know if you want me to PM the address to you.. ttyl P.S. If you happen to come down , bring some of your dies with you, I'll show you how to clean and properly store them to preserve the shelf life, even in a sweaty shop with a stream...

I've made a few keen observations while reading this thread, but I'll keep it polite & professional.. : )~

Stu, Your welcome to come to my shop and use either my 100 Lb or my 25 Lb Little Giants anytime.. To have such a low opion of them, you obviuosly have never had the chance to forge under one that was properly tuned and maintained, but, you'll have to let me keep an eye on you while "you're" using it, I'm kind of funny about letting rookie Blacksmiths play with any of my equipment.. Using the comparison of a Vulcan anvil to a Hay Budden anvil to describe a Little Giant is absurd, you must be just trying to get a rise out of loyal Little giant owners..

I had to look at the photo for over 20 minutes to even figure out there is a power hammer underneath all that material.. Looks like a armoured tank.. I would be ashamed to cover up a beautiful Lil Giant with such a ugly contraption.. )

Swing back by there a few weeks before Christmas.. I hate to see something like this rotting away in a field..

Peacock- I thank you for that info as well.. Their prices are the most reasonable I've seen on Motors & Pullies..

Have you oiled the clutches lately? Also, as the weather gets colder, the clutch blocks shrink, they most likely have worn some since last winter, the wear along with the shrinkage could have been just enough for them not to engage properly until the friction you created while trying to use the hammer caused them to heat up, swell and then engage.. I would start with oiling them first if you havent recently..

Being that its a colonial era English 5th foot anvil, to weld on it or any attempts to repair the anvil will destroy the antique value of it.. I would find another good usable anvil and keep this one for display.. It most likely dates mid 1600's to early 1700's..

The top one is most likely an earlier style Hay Budden.. The bottom is English, maybe Mousehole or Wilkinson.. Side profile pic would help ID them ..