JME1149

Where is the serial number located on the HB's? I just picked one up last night and want to dig a little deeper into the history.

I have to add my story to this thread. TPAAAT worked for me in a big way. I had my first exposure to smithing two weeks ago, and after my initial three hour session I was hooked. The very next day I started asking around for anyone who might know of a place to look for an anvil. The second guy I asked told me he had an anvil he had gotten from an uncle's estate 15 years earlier. Said anvil was sitting unused in a corner of his garage. When I asked if he might consider parting with the anvil, he replied "sure, you can have it". My response was, well what would want for it? To my great surprise, he said "nothing, you can have it". He explained that if he ever needed anything made, he'd know where to find me. At this point, I had no great expectations of age, size, or quality, but free is always good and appreciated. Well I finally got our schedules to coordinate and I picked up my precious tonight. It took two of us to drag it out of the garage and lift it into my truck. I couldn't make out any markings, but it was big, had flat surfaces, nice square corners, and a well shaped horn. Looks like this baby had very little, or very loving use over the years. I got it home and cleaned it off just enough to make out the markings. Hay-Budden Manufacturing Co, Brooklyn NY and best of all, 200 (pounds). I just can't understand why the wife isn't as excited as I am. Thank you Thomas Powers, the magic worked for me!

I have a project that I've been asked to make and need some advice on planning. What I need is to know if there is any formula or general rule of thumb for how long to make the straight lengths in the bar before I begin the twist in a bird cage (basket cage) twist. I know there are a lot of variables to consider including the size of bar, length of twist and overall diameter of the finished twist. It's too much for this newbie smith to wrap his head around. I've seen some really good videos on the process being done, but can't seem to locate any data on how to lay out the twist. If anyone has some thoughts, they would be greatly appreciated. If not, looks like trial and error until it works out.