Cajun66

Thanks for the ideas.

I need to get some fuel first. Nearest coal is 1.5 hours away. Been too busy so far. Thanks for the input. I have around a ton of 1/4' round bar. I'll build a cross that fits.

Shouldn't go anywhere.

Going to attempt a 12volt variable speed induction..

Yea. The pipe cap didn't look too good. But I had several rain caps laying around. The fire will be in the future unless I get impatient and use charcoal.

Threw some legs on it, drilled some holes on a plate for a tuyere, and made a spooky looking ash dump. Now I need to steal my wife's hair dryer and locate some coal........

Thanks. Coincidently, I should have a few exhaust rain caps laying around. (Did I mention I'm a heavy equipment mechanic?) ;)

I've been throwing something together out if junk I had laying around from other projects. What should/could I do, or will it function OK? Tray is 29.5 x 19.5 x 1.5" brake drum is 11.75 id and 3.25 deep Pipe is 2"

Why do I always overlook the simplest solutions? Doh!

I'm finding that the 1.25" hardy is causing me a headache. Can't find many tools (especially on my budget) that fit. May have to make some.

Thanks for the input. Ideas were what I was hoping for. And thanks for the vote of confidence VaughnT. I reckon I'll modify it a few more times before it's finished.

I have loads of scrap laying around and a MIG. I often get bored and build whatever is on my mind. I don't know if it'll be worth finishing but it was fun. If I finish it, I'll redo the table in the front. It looks like a giant heat sink to me right now. But it was fun all the same.

Please excuse the mess.;) The stand is unfinished. I'm going to chain it down once I finalize the height and brace the legs. 162lb Brooks

Covington isn't so far that it'd keep me away. I'll contact em as soon as I'm not working 70+ hour anymore.

It might be a Brooks. There is blue paint under the foot.

All I know of its history was that it wasn't used hard. Came from a small dairy that was run by friends of the family.

The base is solid. Not hollow and no depressions. No markings.

Thanks Jim. It looks a LOT better than the old mousehole I found a year or so ago.

I've been collecting equipment to get started and I got this anvil a little over a month ago. It's around 160lbs, 1 1/4" hardy, has no markings (may have been sanded off in the past), has no casting lines, and has a beautiful ring to it when I tap it with a hammer. I gave 200 bucks and a few hours welding for it. Sure hope I didn't get taken to the cleaners. P.S. I didn't paint it. Previous owner did.

Always been interested in manipulating metal and I've been a welder/fabricator and heavy equipment field mechanic for 24 years. I have NO experience with blacksmithing other than making brackets and such using an oxy/acetylene torch and a big vise. I'm starting completely from scratch. I've gotten an anvil, I own more hammers than I can stand, I have access to virtually form of iron/steel in small quantities, and have been burned enough for this not to scare me. Unfortunately, I know no one around here who I can observe in person so I'm completely winging it. See y'all around and wish me luck. Matt

1) Name Matthew Jordan 2) Location Around Baton Rouge, Louisiana 3) What type blacksmithing do you do, what do you make? None yet. Still collecting stuff 4) How and when did you get started in blacksmithing See above ;) 5) What object or thing did you use as your first anvil, Really big vise 6) Tell us about your first forge, hole in the ground, camp fire, brake drum, stacked bricks, Going to build a solid fuel and gas forge 7) Who assisted you or encouraged you in the craft Hard to explain 8) What event changed your attitude about blacksmithing Watching it in person 9) What tool has changed or made your life easier in the shop Air conditioner (I'm in south Louisiana) 10) What advice would you give those starting out in blacksmithing 11) What advice would you give those already involved in blacksmithing 12) What are some of the interesting things that have happened to you in your life as a blacksmith. I have been a welder/fabricator/heavy equipment mechanic for 23 years. I love manipulating metal and I'm entranced by history. I'll post more in a bit. It's my wife's birthday and I'm being called. :)

I figured something fireplace related. I hang on to it. I may be able to modify it into something useful. It doesn't seem practical in it's current configuration. :)

Found these while working out in the field: Any idea what they are?

Great! I'll start testing it out as soon as I get the stitches in my hand pulled. Had a Kaiser flat head 4cyl with a mean streak in my shop recently.

Playing a round yesterday, I noticed that the center of the face has a different tone than the heel or the edge closest to the horn. It's not a flat tone, just not as crisp as the other sides. Anything I should be worried about?