Mark G

I'll be doing the hammer making class on Friday and I'll be there Saturday. Looking forward to it.

Thank you very much, Frosty. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

It works great. But the used one is up for auction and the current bid is only $13 with 1 day left on the auction. My only real problem would be transporting it.

Thank you. I wasn't sure of the exact name of the types of forges.

Hello all. I currently have a Diamondback 2 burner blacksmith forge that works great for me. However, I have a line on a used forge from a knifemaker's estate. It's a forge that he made and it comes with a blower. I wanted to ask what the advantages would be for this type of forge over what I have right now?

Thank you all. This is exactly what I was needing

I currently have a 140 lbs PW and love it. But, it seems I always have my eye out for another (large) anvil. I can move 140 lbs around OK. But, I'm was wondering how do you all with larger anvils move them around, if you need to? I'm currently set up in my garage, so if I eventually get a large anvil, I'll need to be able to move it around.

I was wondering if there was any other events like this one in other parts of the country?

I live in San Antonio, Texas. So, anvils can be found but they are usually pretty expensive. The last one I saw at auction was a 150lb Peter Wright that went for $850. Way out of my price range.

I hate doing this, but I'm looking real hard at an auction about 2 hours from where I live and I'm trying to find out everything I can about this before I drive that far, The only thing the auction house says it the dimensions for it are 22" long x 8.5" wide x 11.5" tall. And they don't know the weight. It's hard for me to estimate the weight of it. So, any suggestions would be appreciated. It looks like a german made church anvil. Other than that, I have no idea. Anvil.docx

Holy Cow!!!! #1. I think it was only 120 lbs. it looked like a 12 on the base. #2. The xxxxxxx thing went for $850!!!!!!!! And that's not including the 13% buyer premium and 7% sales tax. the real kicker was a 300lbs anvil went for $800 yesterday at a different auction.

The anvil in the picture is coming up for auction about an hours away from me. I live in Texas. Anvil's here seem to be few and far between. The auction guy say he thinks it's about 150lbs. I know the price of anvils on-line is going through the roof. So, any suggestions on how much you all think this should go for, would be appreciated. Thank you, Mark G

I saw this anvil also. I live in San Antonio, so it's a little far for me to drive to. and know that it's not as easy in this part of the country to find a good anvil. I agree that the price is high even for Texas. If you can get it closer to $4/lbs it would be a good deal.

To bad I didn't know about that place when I was in the market for a forge and blower. It looks like about the same distance from San Antonio that I ended up traveling to get the one I did get.

And see, I came to the same conclusion all by myself... Mark G (Eagerly awaiting delivery of his new Diamondback Blacksmith Forge...)

I know exactly what you are saying. With a coal forge, I find that most evening don't allow enough time to get things going. And it seems some weekends the family want me to spend time with them too. So, I've started looking into getting a gas forge. Anyone with suggestions of a cheap and easy to operate gas forge. Let me know. Thanks

That's O.K. Forgemaster. Last months Balcones Forge meeting was here in San Antonio at the shop of George Schroeder. He's a professional Metal Artist. And this is in his shop. Sorry, for the bad picture, is was with my cell phone. He also has a 1000lb hammer. It was an impressive sight. He was just doing a small demonstration with 1" square rod. It did it all in 1 hit.

There's an auction in Furnace, PA that has a "large" anvil. I found it at auctionzip.com If you put in you zip code and set it at 50 miles. It will pop up.

Here is a link that should help a lot. Help Please Champion Blower - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web

RCS7, I don't know how far you are from New Braunfels, but Centaur Forge there has coal for $22.00 for 50 pounds and coke for $24.00 for 50 pounds.

I know most everyone uses coal. For me where I live, lump charcoal is alot easier to come by. I was also thinking about order regular coal from Centaur forge. I wanted to check to see if there was any problem if I mix using lump charcoal and blacksmith's coal in a forge. ( I doubt it but thought I needed to ask) Thanks, Mark

Welcome, Tom. I just joined Balcones Forge on Saturday too. I'm just a beginner. (Still putting finishing touches on my forge now). With a little luck. (And clear weather) I'll be firing it up this weekend. This is a great site with ALOT of helpful folks and great information. Mark G

Reb, would you happen to have a picture (or drawing) of the coat hooks and steak turners that you make out of the RR spikes? I just came into about 30 spikes and was wondering what to do with them. Thanks, Mark

I just noticed on-line that this weekend there's a farm auction about 20 miles from where I live. And in the pictures what what being auctioned is an "old sheller". Well, from what I can tell it's a old 3 legged rivet forge. I can tell it's missing one leg and I can't get a good view of the blower, but I know the drive gears are gone. Would it be worth it to go and try and fix it up. I don't need a forge. But, was just wondering what everyone out there would do.

Woodeye, along those same line, my Mother-in-law asked me what I wanted for Christmas. She thought I was joking when I asked for COAL...... :):)