fixiehorse

Thanks to all who replied. No he did not mill anything. he just polished the horn. I was just wondering how these anvils look black in areas that don't see use and how to get it back like that. I once made a muzzle loader from a kit and they sent a chemical to "brown" the barrel. The gun manufacturer said that it would give a brown patina and minimize rust which it has. I thought perhaps there was something done to anvils the same way.I don't remember the name of that chemical but it worked great. I can deal with the anvil just wanted it to look more like it did before he polished it.Thanks again.

I have just purchased a peter wright anvil. The man I bought it from was considering playing around with blacksmithing but his trade is a self employed machinist. He had the anvil for a few years but never found the time to start. I have seen plenty for sale but this is in perfect almost unused like shape. I have a problem with it though. This guy's place was so neat that you could eat off the floors. For some reason the only flaw he could find with this anvil was some very light surface rust on the horn. he polished it to a mirror finish while the rest of the anvil is black( no rust). I did not even get it home it seems before just the moisture in the air started to rust it in the polished area. Now I am polishing to control it because even some damp air will rust it. What can i do to give it back a black patina. I know all anvils will rust if left outside but this will be inside my shop.Thanks ahead.

Thanks for your replies. There is a large block of pullies this thing is attached to right now. It takes a backhoe to lift, but when i get it seperated and mounted I will take a picure of it and post it.(this assumes my kids can teach me how)

I am new to these forums and new to blacksmithing in general.I have read enough to be dangerous but need to start doing . I have a lot of conventional weldng/shop equipment but no basic blacksmith tools. Here is my question. I dissassembled a large crane mounted over a railroad track for unloading very heavy objects. I kept the hook. I don't have a weight on it but1000# or better i am sure. When standing upside down it acually has a pretty good sized flat area before it goes to the hook end and can be made very stable . Does any body know what type of steel a hook like this would typically be made of? While I am prowling around looking for a decent anvil is there any thing wrong or unsafe with using it as one ( I realize it will not enhance my work but I am just trying to get a feel right now anyway). Thanks for any reply.