trying-it

That should have kept you out of trouble for a little while!!!!!!!!!! Nice work!

The day you decide that anvil is too ugly and/or of NO further use to you, just ship it here to southern Illinois and I will put that poor anvil out of its misery for you. You pay the shipping of course. Any anvil is better than no anvil. Now that you have it, start having some fun with it!!!

John, Where is the law written that says a dragon can't occasionally have a bad hair day or two (or is that a bad scales day for dragons?). I like it just the way it is, especially for a first try. Just keep having fun pal and hope we can play together again some day soon. BTW: I bet I can find you some 2" 4140 for that chisel you want to make. LOL Stan

Get well soon dear friend. Knee mail to you and yours from Clara and I.

Welcome to IFI Dan. Where in Missouri are you? I live about 70 miles E/SE of St. Louis, Mo.

knee mail was sent after you told me earlier; more headed out and continued till told differently

Knee mail sent your way. Hope the young man gets well soon - someone closeby has to keep you in line Steve. Best wishes and more prayers for a speedy recovery.

Just a reminder that the annual "Trying-It" hammerin is this coming weekend, Aug 14-16. As this is the same weekend as the annual American Threshermen and Antique Tractor show just 7 miles south in Pinckneyville most motels are fully booked within this region. However the great flea market at the steam show is well worth a look and then come hammer here with other IFI members and friends. Bring a tent as this hammerin is on an 80-acre farm and you can surely find a cozy place to pitch it! This hammerin location is 6.5 miles north of Pinckneyville, Illinois, (zipcode 62274) on IL State RT 127. Email trying_it@hotmail.com Cell # 618-924-4032 I have placed a special request with the weather service to hold off the mud makers this weekend. At this point in time all is looking good in that dept as forecast is for more typical type southern Illinois temps and humidity. Come share a fire!!!!

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Maybe something like this? HPIM0204 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery HPIM0202 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

If you want to make it look just a weebit better coat entire anvil with a little paste wax. (IMHO you could have done this alone without using the grinder at all) This process is best done with anvil slightly warm so maybe place it out in the sun a while and then wax. Once wax dries buff with an old cotton cloth and enjoy. The anvil will have a slight sheen and take on an almost new look. No more grinding, sanding, wire brushing, painting, or machining. See what added details and markings the wax finish brings about and check into the anvils pedigree. Rust is considered a primary color here and waxed rust looks real nice as a surface finish, almost wood-like or leather-like. Enjoy your new friend. Treat it right and it will return the favors!

Just a thought, but some of those "few dings and chips out of the edges" may actually have been placed there on purpose by a previous owner/user. Use the anvil as is and see if occasionally those dings and chips work in your favor. I once machined a brand new vanadium cast anvil (raw casting, never trued B4 I started) and did a BP on that. Once done I took that anvil on a southern trip and showed it to Bill Epps as I wanted a few"proper" radiused edges applied by a real pro. Bill grabbed an angle grinder and sander and placed various sized radiused corners on appropriate edge places; then proceeded to grind a few grooves and notches along the edge here and there. Once finished, Bill looked me square in the eye and said, "and now I will show you how to use them too". Thanks Bill they do come in handy for "special" tasks.

Pete LYME is nasty suff. Knee mail your way from Clara and I. Pal saying Get-Well soon is an understatement from me. Get 'er done so we can share some more time and fire together soon!

I wanna see that old lathe neighbor and I bet we can make it turn chips again as good as new. Just give me a yell and I about live in IFI chatroom. I am heading to an out-of-state hammerin in a few hrs and back home here probably on 14th. I am passing thru Effingham area on way back home. I left you a private messeage (PM) with my email address. Just email me and I could maybe email back my cell# and link up with you soon. Did I fail to mention that I just love machines, LOL Stan

I was thinking more of economical savings and shop space-saving advantages: anvil, dappling block, and a swage block all in one tidy little package! Just needing a good home, tender loving care, and an owner that really cares about saving a small bit of living history!

When you get to be as old and well used as that anvil, how well do you think you will still look? If we start seeing old, worn, and abused items as being worthless, God forbid our wives start reading these forums or we too might be deemed worthless! I would NOT take $200 for this old Mousehole (also lacking a pritchel hole) and although not my main anvil, still find it quite handy to have around. Each and every thought to be defective area can have its own unique qualities and purpose with a little use of imagination!

Real nice! James where did you acquire your artistic smithing skills if you don't mind me asking? OOOPS nevermind, just read your bio and saw the "mostly self taught". That makes you and your works even more impressive now!!!!!!!!

Please say a little prayer for my wife Clara. At 3:30 this afternoon she had a horrific auto accident on the way home from work. Small pickup crossed centerline and wife moved over as far as possible to avoid a head-on crash, but a highway guard rail was on her car's passenger side. Truck completely sideswiped her car and spun her car 180 degrees around on highway. 5 hours taped to a backboard and finally an ok to take her home at 8:45 pm. Other driver received 4 traffic citations and my wife's car is probably total loss. But I reckon God was riding as her co-pilot today and HE allows me to keep her a bit longer. She is badly shaken mentally and bodily heavily bruised, on heavy painkillers, and off work a few days. As many have met my wife, just thought I should share!

I aint saying "WOW". Let's go with shock and awe!!!!!! Nice and refreshing to see someone really raise the quality bar even higher!

I once took a little off the top of a BIG Peter Wright anvil (.060 - .090) for a nice guy and swordsmith that worked with Daryl Meier. I told him to pay me as much as he thought my services were worth to him. For my services rendered, Dean handed me 4 pattern welded billets he and Daryl had recently made together. I smiled from ear-ear and told him bill was paid in full...... and thanks for the business.