Chris Jones

I forgot the location, sorted now. Finding anvils isn't too bad round here, the hard part is finding ones that aren't either totally shot, weigh too much for me to move myself and those that are less than an hours drive away to go collect. This one is near my parent's so is an option - currently selling for 99p on Ebay, but expect that to shoot up - especailly now that i've posted here .. :)

Morning all, I'm looking at an anvil online, it' near my parent's for pick up and cheap for the moment. but I'd like people's opinion as it will be my first anvil: To me it looks in good nick, flat face, the stand is a nice extra. It's obviously had the edges re-built by a not briliant welder, but I'm sure I can tidy up the welds and make it good. the only description is length of 21" and the numbers 1/2 & 4 on it, I've asked if the seller can see anything else. What do people think? worth the effort? Thanks Chris

Assuming that is a 20" diameter circle then use a bit of straight rod of 17 1/3" long, place it on the circle so the ends touch the circle, mark both ends, keep one end on the circle and move the other so that it touches the circle in a different location (there will only be one place it can) mark this, check the original mark by putting the rod between mark 1 and 3. If the ends don't all meet on the circle then I've done my maths wrong. Or as other have said measure 20.93" around the circle and mark it, repeat and you should have 3 marks - i just find measuring round a circle more difficult than straight lines. If you want the maths for the straight line version for different circles then give me a shout. Chris

And I was after advice on anvils - I got marriage counselling as an extra. Seriously guys my wife has no issue with my doing blacksmithing (in fact she's the one who suggested it as a hobby) she just isn't hugely up for me turning the garden into a forge..hence the reason for a small/light one that can be packed away when not in use...which will meet both of our needs - mine for an anvil and hers for a garden without an anvil as the centrepiece 24/7.

The hiding a forge was a bit of humour really - hence the ;) - I live in a semi-detached house with a garden 5m long....not really much chance of hiding anything let alone a forge. the size is the issue mainly as it is something that would either have to be moved to a different location to be used - there is no local group but I have had offers of places to use - or it will need to be stored in the shed when i am not using it. Thanks for the ideas though. Chris

Okay, so if i can get a good shape and attach it to something else heavy then i am probably halfway there. Thanks all

Okay, I'm looking for an anvil, some minor problems: 1. The wife doesn't want me to get one 2. I have limited space to store it. 3. I have limited funds So I am looking at getting a smallone to start with, i have seen some about the 5Kg (11lb) weight, which seems very small compared to the 55Kg ones I have used on my courses, but apart from obviously the size of the top and bick what negatives are there in getting a small anvil? I assume the weight is key to it's capability, but am i going to be hugely limited by a small anvil if all i am doing to start with is hand tools or similar? If so how big do i need to go before I reach a usable size, but something i can hide from the wife without too much effort..;) Thanks Chris

Thanks for the answers so far. I think I'll just paint the bits that aren't going to have hot metal near them or moving parts - just as my storage isn't the dryest in the world - Wales is generally damp in the best of times. The jaws are 3 inch according to the seller - I have no idea whether they align or even if they move - but for £13 I wasn't going to argue. I'll post more once it arrives and i get the time to tidy it up. Chris

OKay, so I was on ebay - as you do, and after having a conversation with the wife about me not having the room in the garden to set up a forge and that the neighbours wouldn't like it etc etc. I see a leg vice up for sale at the stupidly cheap price of £13 inc postage. So now that it should be on it's way to me I have a few questions: 1. what do i need to check before I start using it - general issues/problems etc. 2. It looks quite rusty but not too bad - i was just going to wire brush it, grease the screw and then give the non moving parts a coat of hammerite - does this sound like a good idea? 3. How do i mount it? Obviously it needs a flat surface for the bracket to bolt to, but what do i do with the leg? I was thinking of mounting it on a large bit of tree trunk I have - about 1 foot across so should be stable enough. Any thoughts? Chris

Well there is also a woolen mill from the 1700's there which she may be interested in. Or if you are heading further West - about 2 hours or so from Cardiff - there is the National Wool Museum http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/wool/about/ I'm starting to sound like the local Tourist info office. Chris

Beth - if it's not an inappropriate age related question - when were you in Cardiff and what course did you do? Just interested as my wife went there in the late 1990's/early 2000's doing ecology and we have lots of friends still from Cardiff Uni. Chris

John, Looks like you aren't far from my Grandmother - who is in Newton Abbott - I'll try and arange a trip down there on one of your forge in weekends..;) I must get to the Royal Welsh or Three Counties one day, my wife goes as part of her job but I've never made it myself. Chris

Hi Thomas, I'm not in Cardiff often, and I'm trying to prep for a house extension so not getting out much currently. I've seen the River House - it's just over the Taff from the stadium, nice location. If you want some idea on where to go give me a shout - I'd suggest St Fagans is worth a trip - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/ It is the museum of Welsh life, lots of historical buildings and items from around Wales, main draw for you might be the working forge which is an original 18th century forge which was moved to the site. Also try and squeeze in a Rugby match - Cardiff RFC is just over the way and are playing Neath on the 21st April - always a good way to get into Welsh life. Enjoy the trip. Chris

Hi Beth, I'm only doing the night classes so it's just the practical side of blacksmithing with no formal qualification from it. The night classes are done on a term by term basis so you sign up for a term and then decide if you want to keep going. I've done 2 terms so far, taking a break this term as I have some holidays and work commitments that mean I'd miss a lot of classes, I'll be back in September though. I've had a great time, my background is metalurgy and engineering (I have a Masters degree in high temperature materials in the aerospace industry) but this is a real step into the practical which is brillient. The first term was the basics - couple of lessons on moving metal with different methods, making tongs/punches/pokers etc The second and further terms you do what you want - I repeated some of the first terms work and then went on to make some more chisels and punches for myself, some of the guys are into the artistic side and make whatever they want to. The instructors are great - always willing to let you have a go. I just need to find somewhere closer to home to do more - the 2 hour round trip is a bit of a pain for 2 hours blacksmithing. Chris

Hi, Just a quick hi as I've managed to login. I've been learning Blacksmithing at Hereford College at night classes for the past 2 terms and it's been fun. I'm looking to keep going but maybe somewhere a bit closer (not an hours drive away) so might get myself a forge (convincing the wife and neighbours may be the complicated bit) Anyway nice to be here. Chris Abergavenny, South Wales.