John G

It looks like prices sure vary across the country... Here in Central Oregon (Redmond) the scrap yard gets 30 cents a pound no matter what type of steel-- some of the new stuff at the supplier is less expensive (cutoff 1/2" round stock for 26 cents/lb). Propane is 2.39 a gallon. Just for kicks, Gasoline is about $3.34 a gallon for regular unlead.

This question may be a bit outside the parameters for a Blacksmith forum, but I'm looking for a bench grinder and don't have the money for a Baldor. Does anyone know of an affordable USA-made brand of bench grinder? If not, then what's the best brand for the money? I've read horrible reviews of the Dewalt grinders, and relatively good reviews of Sears-- but not knowing the writers "work orientation" I thought I would ask my fellow blacksmiths. Any help out there?

Thanks Rich, Matt, and Phil, for your input. Hadn't really thought about the extra size factor, and how much fuel will be needed to heat that up... Plus, I guess I really should read the forum, as I am realizing more and more how little I know about this, and I really subscribe to the theory that I should try to learn from others' mistakes before I have to learn from my own. And thanks for the info on O2, Matt. I was touring the Bullseye Glass factory in Portland last week and they inject O2 from a LOX system into their natural gas, and it saves them a lot of money, so I had a thought it might do the same for me, but on such a small scale, and using it for steel rather than glass, I could see where I would not only not get any benefit, it may actually be detrimental. (BTW-- if anyone gets a chance, they have free public tours for individuals or groups at Bullseye Glass, just call and set it up. They are easily the nicest business people I have ever met, and how they do things there is really fascinating. I could watch those guys dropping 10-lb. dollops of molten glass into the rolling machines for hours-- but then, perhaps I am easily amused...) Well, I'd better get reading! Thanks again, you guys.

I'm thinking of picking up an old wood burning stove (the fireplace kind, not the cooking kind) and refitting it to become a propane forge. Does anyone have any experience doing this, and if so, what should I look for? There are several good sized stoves on Craigslist for around $100 that could work... but I don't know if I would have some sort of hidden problem. Also, is it possible to inject oxygen into the propane to increase BTU's or fuel efficiency? Just wondering... Thanks in advance for any input.

Thanks, Frank-- both for the answer and the brevity! --John

Hello to all, I'm new to the site and a novice metalworker. I just made my first real metalworking purchase yesterday (well, my second, really, since I bought a MIG welder -- Hobart Handler 140-- last year). I bought a 206-lb. Hay-Budden in pretty nice shape (in my unlearned opinion-- looks as good or better than many I've seen pics of, that were described by more experienced folks as "real nice") for $350. That was here in Central Oregon. From what I've been reading, I should pick up a copy of Anvils In America-- sounds like interesting reading, and the library does not have a copy. Can anyone who has a copy tell me what year corresponds to serial # 206853? I would guess 1913 or before, based on the first post in this series. Looking forward to learning and creating with this anvil! Thanks for your help. --John