Jim Coke

Greetings Merlin, Looks to be an early English anvil... Pre 1860... I would clean it up real good and look close for any identification.. Normally you will find the stone weight numbers on the side... It could be a Mouse Hole Forge.. Jim

Greetings again Blackfrog, To my knowledge Trenton or Columbus Forge and Iron made anvils for a lot of hardwares and suppliers.. The belt line weld one were after the 30s... I have a few with belt line welds one 500 pounder.. I also have one marked Derby.. To my knowledge Columbian were cast and did not belt line weld... More pictures and I might be able to help more Forge on Jim

Greetings again Frog, On the down side... Small hole bolsters have a tendency to get worn from misses .. If this happens you will limit the universal purpose.... You will be looking for another one.... I make smaller bolsters that if the wear its easier to replace just one ... Still a neet idea if your a good shot.... Great thinkin...... JIM I'll bet you made a set of my vice jaw spacers

Frosty, Any time my friend ... The forge is always open... I'm just over the bridge and 80 miles...

Frosty, I know you guys kill for vices like this... I just picked this up at a tractor swap meet..... Columbian 6 1/2 Just like new ... less the rust... Jaws nut screw perfect... I will keep your offer in mind I'll bet we would have a blast.... The offer goes two ways.... anytime... Thanx Jim For the big price of 50 bucks

Greetings Blackfrog, I'll bet you will find that to be a Trenton sold under another name... That's a belt line weld and the whole top of the anvil is tools steel.. Jim

Greetings crij, Thanx for taking the time to bring up the old forge flicks... I guess if I had one like that I could make really really big leaves.. Jim

Greetings Frosty, Lets see .... Travel time to Alaska ... About 2000 bucks to get there.... 7days off the work I should be doing.... But free room and lodging with a lot of story swapping.... Just to get 15 bucks worth of old springs.... Count me in.... Jim

Greetings Frog, Unless you are punching plate on the bolster you could just put a bolt from the underside with a welded wing nut on top... or a swing lever on a bolt top with the nut on the bottom... Both could be moved for normal bar punching... I hop this helps.... Good ol Jim

Greetings Melchior, Neet paper towel holder.... I have made several and found that I hate ones that take up counter space... I found a great use for those political sign frames that end up on your lawn... It's the best use I never read them anyway... Jim

Greetings Jean.. Never never safe ... If you don't know get some help ... Metal I.D . fools a lot of us so get more than one opinion... Be smart and stay safe... Jim

Heck with the tongs I want to see the forge.... I want a motorized helper like that....

Greetings Reinier, Over the top... I'll bet the would look much better in my shop... Jim

My little teaching studio no power tools allowed... The other three are in the background...

Greetings Ed, Now your cookin on the front burner ... It does not make any sense to wander through a scrap yard for 20 bucks .. Once you get your 4140 going your way try some h-13 for hot work... I only air harden it and dress it as required... Harder to forge but slick stuff... Your tools now will last you a lifetime.. Keep your head and keep forging Jim

Greetings Tim, Great save... What you are doing is an example for all smiths as to what a professional really is.. By the way I have a 5x5 acorn table just like yours.. Keep up with the great work..... Jim

Greetings all, My heart is warm with Davids gift, What a guy... I have done the same in the past but I always put a condition with the gift.... Always remember the past and when time allows make some tools for the next person who is just starting... I will carry on and continue to give back..... Jim

Greetings Marcusb, CONDITION CONDITION CONDITION .... The golf ball is the question ... A picture would tell the story... I always question large chips and knockouts as to how the anvil was treated in its past life.. Once abused always abused... Good luck Jim

Greetings Newbie, Sound like you got just the basics in skill and equipment.... To improve you tool inventory and safely do it I would suggest that you give up one night out and purchase a set of wolfjaw tongs... They are very universal and should put you on your way to build others.. Also start with some standard stock before you attempt unknown steel... Keep safe and forge on Jim

Greetings Miss Brooks/ Frosty, I take it that you have tin 18in wide to make the chamber.... Best make it out of 16 gage with welded seems... 10 stack diameter is the better of the two.. At least double wall... Hope this helps JIm

When you take you wife out for a nice Sunday drive in the new convertible you just bought her and she realizes that you are just on a junk run for scraps set out at the curb for Monday pickup... Yep I got caught...

Greetings Bryan, Ok time for my 2 cents worth.... Cold rivet.. round head.... Make a plate aprox 6 in in diameter 1/2 thick .... sink a ball bearing into it to form a flat rivet set the same size as you rivet... Drill your holes in the door put the rivet in and place the door horizontally over the rivet set with the rivet in the set.. Best on the anvil or very hard surface... Find an aircraft style air craft air hammer and chisel to match... RAP RAP RAP RAP DONE DEAL.... Clinched nail with formed head.. Use a horseshoe nail Diamond head..... Put the nail through a common square nut.... Mig weld to a crown.... Forge on the anvil to taste.... You now have a decorative head with a thin shank that will clinch easy... I have done both in the past and has worked well.... Good luck Jim

Greetings again Harris, From what you say . I think a treadle hammer would work best for what you want to make... Keep learning and forging Jim

Greetings Jean, If it helps.. You can put your stump on a table aprox 2 ft high horizontally ... Use a long paper wrap around to mark the stump.. Now have at it with your chain saw.... It helps if you have a helper to rotate the stump.. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Jim

Greetings Yesteryear, Slick design and well executed... What do you plan on cooking on that spit ? Do you use an adjustable trammel or select fit length? Last question .. When is dinner? Carry on Jim