arkie

Kathy, you might try the Tool Talk forum...google it. They have a section (scroll down the list of topics) on farm implements and tools. The info there is mostly for commercially made tools, but one can still give it a look.

Billy, thanks so much for posting the music of Sturgill Simpson. I'd never heard of him, but his music and style gets your juices flowing.....

Frosty, that might be a "shortgevity" pool....LOL

Your snow pictures remind me of one of my all-time favorite movies...Dr. Zhivago....a classic. I guess that dates me, LOL.

Beautiful job on the forge! A work of art as well. Have fun with it. Post pictures of your work when you get it up and running. You will be getting loads of suggestions, and you have probably already planned to do it, but a fire proof panel of sorts would be advised behind the forge such as sheet metal, cement board, etc. to ward off errant sparks.

When you get your smithy finished, you need to add a final touch...a sign hanging outside made from sheet metal in the shape of an anvil....

Pavers.....yeah, they're expensive. Ever think about making your own? I haven't crunched the numbers, but you could make several forms out of scrap lumber, mix your own concrete and pour several of your own pavers at a time. I did that for a small shed and the only negative is the time it takes to make them. Your shed is coming along nicely.

I don't know if this has ever been posted on IFI before, so forgive me if it's duplicated. I ran across this youtube video of an absolutely amazing collection of anvils in an old fortress in Italy. I don't know if youtube video links are prohibited, but if so, mods please inform me. A young smith by the name of Will Stelter toured the fortress and took videos of the collection of hundreds of anvils, some weighing over 1000 to 1700#...eye candy for the folks with anvil obsession.

Wow! That's a monster. Looks to be in almost new condition. You'll love having it in the new shop.

Availability...yes, there may be some good deals out there, but folks seem to be having a harder time finding those deals. Prolific, yes, but the prices for anvils, old and new, post vises, swage blocks, hammers, tongs; the basics etc. have gone up drastically and made them essentially unavailable for many. I'm referencing retail items, not DIY ones. I don't believe inflation has a bearing on those types of things.

Have fun with the shed! Constructing a smithy is kinda like putting together a computer back in the "old days", getting all the parts and pieces and enjoying the final successful effort (if it works..).

Do you think old rubber automobile floor mats would work?

Frosty, thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to not pause on that channel. Hopefully, if and when that show goes off the air, anvils and other blacksmith items will cease the cost and availability spiral.

It was probably not anywhere as built up with buildings in the area during the time anvils were being made, but I wonder where or how they got the enormous volumes of water necessary for quenching?

At least you aren't firing up something small like a Mr. Volcano forge in your room with 1 lb. propane bottles!!!!!

John eluded to the piece in later posts....

Michael, anvils are a lot like land.....they generally appreciate in price. That being said about "good" anvils. Cast iron trash, not so much so. The anvil which I now have for some 13 years probably would sell for at least twice what I paid for it. Everyone's experience will vary. If you're happy, don't look back.

John,.....a "practice" piece? That nautilus looks great as is! Looking forward to a "finished" piece.

To clarify a bit on the two different lube fittings for those who may not be familiar with them. A "zerk" fitting, BillyBones' grease nipple for injecting grease, is shaped like a miniature soda bottle with a tiny spring-loaded ball in the tip (for preventing back flow, if under pressure, or just leakage). An oil filling fitting is simply a small tube with a spring loaded flap on top, sorta like a miniature toilet seat (not the one with a big hole...LOL).

Randy, if I could buy that Hay Budden for $2/lb I would trade in my wife!! Thirteen years ago, I paid about $2.75/lb for my 167# HB. That one in the good shape it's in would probably fetch $4/lb or more in these parts!

Alexandr, the stair rails are so delicate and pleasing to the eye...great work!

Beautiful work on the grating door and hand rail

That will work great. Should last for years. If you wear an apron a lot, the heavy ones are miserable in hot weather.

Para, (I like George's shortform) if you would like to roof and/or do the sides with sheet metal, some of the metal roofing companies might have drops from other jobs that you can use. I got several to put on the side of my carport to block the glare from sunlight next to my anvil (and some wind too). You can overlap the shorter pieces. They might just give them to you if you tell what you are using them for, and a forged bottle opener might seal the deal. Don't worry about mismatches...paint works. Have fun! Making a smithy is almost as much fun as using it.

Randy, indeed I do! Great memory! This one is 12' x 20' with a 8' eave so that I can walk under it. These come in all sizes, some installation is included in the price; some are DIY assembly. You can also erect all sorts of posts, rafters and roofing material of your choice from scrap and purchased materials. Gets a little cold and windy in the winter, though! BTW, after this picture was taken, I installed a 12" flue pipe from the forge sloping out to the roof peak in front.