PaulKrzysz

Also some pics of 19th century Chinese wagon wheels. They did not join a single loop for a wagon tire, this one is of 9 separate pieces of iron.

Cont

I went to the Royal Ontario Museum this Saturday and took pics of some things i found interesting. Maybe it can serve as inspiration for some of you I apologize in advance for some of these pics. If you have any question about specific pics please ask. The last few of the axes pics are from lee valley, they had a nice collection of Collins axes. As for the up-side-down trade axes in the museum that is how they had them displayed.

Raymond I have a question to you about double bit axes. Yesterday I went to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and saw several bronze double bit axes. about 4 with eyes (holes for handles) and 1 without. The ones with eyes where in the Hellenic exhibit and the one without I believe was in the Egyptian. These where smaller axes, what we would consider hatchets. Would these axes be used for war or were they woodworking tools? Do you fins any example in the Viking find you have seen?

The lines on the top plate are a little difficult to see but please take a look.

I am aware that many of the protruding plates are actually one solid casting with the body, but i do not think this one to be. It does not sound like cast iron when struck, it has a nice loud 'pink'. I put a wire wheel to it today and took a close look at the side of the plate, it appears as if there are 3 layers to the plate itself. I will post pics soon.

I tested it again and it does not ring, it is as you described. A loud 'clink'. Would you also think it might be too small for hobby use?

Since you mentioned it it does not appear to be a weld but it does appear to be joined, i did not know what else to call it. The diagonal feature is not cracked.

I got this anvil today. It weights 50lb flat and has no markings i can see, but i will put it to a wire wheel later today to see if i uncover anything behind the paint. The reason i think it might be a fisher is because it has 3 visible layers. The base is welded to the top body and the top is also attached. All three layers have a different tone and the top looks to be welded to the base. I have heard fishers do not ring but this one does. Please let me know what you think.

A question from a uninitiated. When you where welding the piece was throwing off many sparks. Every book I read says once the steel is sparking it is too late to weld it because it is burning. Could you please explain why it worked for you? That is a lovely piece by the way. Paul

Another reason you might want to avoid an auction would be that after the fees and such you will make more selling it locally. Minimum you can axpect if it is in decent condition is 2/lb, but it all depends so add pictures and some of the other guy can help you. Selling locally is a good option, try craigslist.

You really did some nice work on that Trenton. As for the Forge and Blower, is that a steel top? Hows the rebound?

Also if you see something that is a steal, so will everyone else. Offer up $10 more and they will be more likely to contact you.

i did a quick inflation counter and $20 in 1890 is $495 in 2011. That is $3/lb, so prices were far more competitive. Anyway, that is a nice anvil, very unusual and sold for a pretty good price!

Thank you for all of the advice. I will be taking a trip to the scrap yard with my Dad next time he goes. I Will be looking to make something like the brazeal stlye someone suggested. Pictured here. http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/anvils/making/anvil-1.php but with a base welded onto the bottom so it is more stable. Maybe I can even find suitable piece for a horn.

Thanks for the advice. I will be going with my Dad next time he visits the scrap yard. For the record, although many people ask for $5 a pound or more, they never do get it. I was looking at the Quebec Kijiji as well and I saw a nice anvil north of Montreal for $400, looked to be around 200 pounds. Quebec is little far though..

Oh, that guy was asking $500 for it before it changed to 'please contact'. And unfortunetly it is a farriers anvil.

I am really looking out for a decent anvil believe me. Over here all the Kijiji anvils are Over $5 a pound if you can believe it, and no they don't sell. I have a larger large anvil but am trying to get a mix of cash/trade for a smaller one.

By dead do you mean no ring or bounce? I really just want something that wont fall apart after a little bit of beating not really and instrument!

I have a 55lb cast iron anvil my father is letting me use. I want to know if i could source a good steel plate could attach it to the top? I would also want to fix some mass on the bottom to increase the weight and stability. I was thinking, since it has a extended face shelf, I could weld angle iron to my steel plate and slide it on. I also have a arc welder. I have this anvil (the one at the top): http://www.anvilfire...zly_and_ASO.php Could this be done or am I wasting my time? Thank you.

This really goes for anything. Customer service is everything. If your a jerk no one with bother with you, or if they do they will never do it again, or recommend you to anybody.

I put a little work into it this weekend. I used a angle grinder with a cutting disk, then a belt sander, and finished it by hand. http://s1137.beta.photobucket.com/user/Paulky/media/kk162.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0 If someone can tell me how to put decent sized pictures in my post I would appreciate it. If i upload then directly they are always too big.

I have a anvil with many chisel marks on the face. Most are not over 1/32'' deep. I would like to know what methods anyone would recommend to smooth the face down. Belt sander? Angle Grinder? Or are you feeling cynical and want me to file it? Thank you!

I live just 15k from Oakville myself. If you have driven around Oakville you know they have money, well south Oakville. Another thing I think might sell would be door knockers. As well as giving you some work, the carpenters and handymen would also have some.

Thank you I do appreciate the advice. I found one which sold recently on ebay for $3,350! 550Lb peter Wright double Horned. The Ebay prices do seem a little crazy though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/548-lb-NEAR-MINT-PETER-WRIGHT-DOUBLE-HORN-BLACKSMITH-ANVIL-Forge-Iron-1800s-/130752966086?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e717bedc6