anglesmith

I have not seen this marking before, but the Anchor trade mark has long been associated with Fayette Plumb and Yerkes & Plumb before that. The FP could be Fayette Plumb, but the second P, is a mystery ?

caineuckrifle You might like to check out the Anvils Horn news letters for March 2012 and January 2013 on the Kinyon Vise . The second article has a picture of a combined upsetting vise. Graeme

I've mounted my grinders on large truck brake drums, they don't move or vibrate but can be moved if they have to be. Even better on dirt and I'm sure that rusting underneath would'nt be a promlem for a couple of life times! Graeme

"He hasn't struck a blow since he started here" or "Come on, strike a blow" Graeme

Bluey In my copy of the CIG booklet, Hints on Gas Welding and Cutting. COBALIDE 1 is one of seven Cobalide hardfacing alloys. It also says that "In general these alloys can not be forged". Hope this is a help. Graeme.

Wooden swage blocks not withstanding, it's interesting that so far, almost three quaters of those that own one use it reguarly.

Ron what size is it ? If it's hand size, cleaning stones or soft morta off bricks might be on the right track? Sorta looks like a coarse wire brush! Graeme

G'day John, There are two blacksmithing groups in Melbourne. (Blacksmithing is alive and well in Australia.) Australian Blacksmiths Association (Vic) meets twice monthly, and the Mont de lancey group, meets weekly? Google will find you both. Graeme.

This is very likley the head off a LOCKREM MODERN TRIP HAMMER made in South Dakota between 1900 and 1915 It was actualy a foot operated (treadle) hammer mounted to work onto a anvil The head was 4" square and weighed 36 lbs with a sharp corned eye as it was reversable. A Daryl from Saskatchewon Canada was making a copy! The above was gleaned years ago on the old Junkyard Forum.

The way I use to obtain short pieces of coil spring (8 to 16 inches) to make tools etc, is to heat one side of the spring only. Then using a large long cold chisel? I think my first one came from the end of a crow bar! Having someone to help is useful till you get use to it. It needs some niffty work with a 4lb hammer and a retained, full width cutting plate is essential! The rings, whether 3/4 or 1. 1/2 coils can then be easily heated and straighten out.

The Mont De Lancey Blacksmithing Group (Melbourne Aust.) are using BMW brake discs as fire pots in both permanent and portable forges. I would imagine that many other makes of discs could be used as fire pots?.

I too agree, Lorelei Sims book is great. It has a good combination of photos, drawings and boxed tips & facts. The SAFETY message is emphasied and practiced throughout the book. All blacksmithing books have something you can learn. We can't have too many! But I think this is the best beginners book I've seen so far and will take anyone who "has a go",from dreaming to being hooked. Happy forging. Graeme.

Interesting, did'nt know that. Judging age will always be a diffcult thing especialy from a photo! Was the "colonial revivial" part of, or the same as the "arts and craft movement"? Which was stong both in England and America around then. I don't think it was significant here in Australia? Graeme

Crackers The shop still looks great and so do the members! Wish I could visit you all again, but my son has just left on long slow trip east, so a trip west is not likely soon. Mark C. who I met in Seatle, rang me about making gum nuts and gum leaves. I told him that you knew all about making leaves! so expect him some sunday soon. Best regards to all. Graeme.

Welcome Gary Three of us from Oz spent a day at Ft Vancover after the ABANA conference. Met Susan, Bill ,John and a few others? Very impressed, well worth our detour back from Tillamook. Even got to see some of Peter Ross's work! Keep up the good work,many people owe their blacksmithing journey from seeing the "Blacksmith" in heritage parks like that. Graeme. PS. Will have to introduce myself soon wont I!

Nick I agee, fireplace tongs. Would have been used for rearanging the fire, lighting a fire somewhere else in the house and I"m sure they have lit a pipe or three. They are at least a 100 years old, could be much older? Their length varied (see Colonial Wrought Iron by Don Plummer) The pair I have are 22 inches total length. Graeme.

Ian I hope you are going to call on some of the blokes from the ABA N.S.W. at Timbertown Wauchope (near PortMacquarie) on your way up the coast?

All things being equal, I'll be there as member of the Australian contingent

Nice anvil Nolano. I have #320 Haebudden,are you aware all HB's have a serial number.(left hand foot under bick) if it hasn't rusted away?. See Richard Postmans book re aproximate year. Or you could post the number and I'll look it up for you.

Sorry didnt see your post Chris. possible, but they are made of malleable castiron so they wouldn't stand alot of hard work. Irnsrgn's explanion is more intriguing.

The left hand tongs remind me of the stretching pliers that cobblers (shoemakers) used? only they are larger and don't have the hammer head. The second from left I've seen, handled and puzzled over. But their use is still not clear to me! Can you clarifie any more please Irnsrgn.