stovestoker

I have a post anvil that I think works pretty well. I would like something along the lines of an english anvile. Narrow long face, and a horn.

Out of the box thinking with scrap yard parts is exactly what I am looking for. Hope this thread keeps going.
The tines are 3 feet in length on the bottom skids. About 18 inches from the L to where they are attached to the frame. Not super big but the uper supports are 1.5 inches thick.
I will be forging knives, meat turners and bottle openers. Working my way up to gate hinges and fineals (sp?)

If you were going to build an anvil out of material found in a scrap yard, what would you use?

For example, I found some fork lift tines today. Would they make a good anvil?

Should I be looking for something to make a post anvil?

Do I stick with rr track?

What pieces parts should you look for and how would you put them together?

Looks like the cut is right in the middle of the sweet spot. I need an Anvil but I don't think this one is worth the 300. I could be wrong.

Found the on CS for 300. looks like someone to a grinder to the face?

Yes cultivator. But I figured plow blade was a term that was common enough for everyone to understand. these blades actually run under the soil. They break up the soil so the soil takes water better. The blades also take out weeds like careless weeds from the root under the surface. A friend of mine from a nearby farm town said that his father would take them to the blacksmith in town for sharpening. So some of the old ones have probably had a blacksmith hands on them. Kinda cool to think about. Full circle.

Going to pick up a couple now,

it kinda looks like a form of small wall mounted flag base to me... which would probably be the cheapest form of sheet metal available if that is the case.

These are actually plow blades. they come in different sizes. depending on how you want your furrows laid out.

I see a lot of these at the scrap yard and they look like they would be good for knives or choppers. what kind of steel are they? will they hold an edge?

I have a friend who has been using one for a portable air tank for decades now. Take care of it, it may have some value now as a collectible if still original.

The screws on the forge probably held a sheet metal wind break in place. I have a really small farrier forge that has those. Mine has a band held by the screws that sandwiches the sheet metal shield. You can kind of see it in this picture.

That a neat little forge.

Can't help with the forge, but I noticed the aircraft breathing oxygen tank on the ground.

Yup, I live near an air force base. It came off a b 29. I got it from a guy of was an aircraft mechanic during wwII. I was going to use it for a hot rod gas tank. But it was to cool as it.was. when I get the shop built I think I will just hang it up somewhere.

I just picked up this little forge. It is a my first "real" forge. The duck foot looks home made, or not original but I think it will work. the inside says to clay. The guy I got it from didn't know about claying so he built a liner out of 3/4 inch steel and a grate from thick stainless. He never built a fire in it so I'm not sure if the whole collection is going to work. I was wondering what the screws in the side of the pan are for. They go all the way around the pan. Not sure if anyone recognizes who may have manufactured it.

Stove pipe with a 45º elbow.

 

The coolest one I've ever seen was a guy that took sheet brass (the thin stuff) and rolled it into piping.  The elbow was made from copper and really hammered to look rough.  It was a sexy combo - kind of steampunk and kind of retro.  And it did the job.

That does sound cool.

I posted a question in the bellows section with no responses. Specifically about how champion forges and blowers were linked back in the day. I will pose a general question on what folks use to link their blowers to their forges. So how do you do it? Pics welcome please.

I just purchased my first hand cranked blower. It is a champion number 1. What type of tubing was used originally to connect the blower to the forge? Was is cast.iron as well? How was it connected? Clamps, a flange?

That last sentence was a joke. I am too much of a romantic to use something so beautiful in such a crass manner.

I tried the resistance nut, it bound up when I took it out a couple threads. I think the bearings/bushings are worn. It may just take a good cleaning. still it blows good and the exercise is not bad for me.

Yes too bad the vise is not in great shape, but I didn't want to leave it behind. Maybe I will come across a replacement screw. Or Ill clamp a flat piece of steel on it and use it for a beer table in the shop :P

does the vise on the left have a mortise for a tenoned mounting bracket? 

 

Is the screw box built up out of separate pieces forge brazed together?

I don't see a mounting bracket. the pin that holds the lower part of the vice together is slotted with a wedge instead of a bolt. the vice is forge welded together. you can see the welds.

I hope its as simple as that. though I have been looking at stuff online for repair info. I soaked all the outside nuts, bolts and screws with pb blaster. going to take another look in the morning

Were you sort of toying with a gun while "negotiating"? (grin)

Great score!

No, lol even though I don't leave home without one. I think the guy had the stuff listed for so long, plus I was the only one willing to drive to BFE to pick the stuff up. He also mentioned something about a wife, too much junk, no room in the drive way. I probably should have been shaking her hand too.

I found a guy on craigslist of was willing to work with me a on some things. It cost me 240 and 30 for gas. How did I do?

Champion blower on stand, spins free blows good, but turning the handle takes work.

Forge pan on stand. Not sure what kind of forge it is. I may post more pics and questions in the solid fuel forge section. The duck foot looks home made.

2 post vises, both are missing springs. I believe the one on the left is 18th century. I will follow up in the vise thread.

100 pounds of coal

old quench bucket and soup can water sprinkle can.

He threw in a dozen RR spikes too. Didn't need them but it was nice of the guy.

All came off an old farm here in Texas

Hi Stove, Just a follow up , my Columbian anvil that is marked with an R weighs in at 325 pounds maybe a little more. It was 30 degrees below zero yesterday so I didn't waste much time measuring but it is roughly 34 inches long. As mentioned above I would see what else you can get in the deal if he's closing the shop you may get other tools or materials. Of course the piston would be great to have too! I've been a picker and scrounger all my life and have seen huge pistons mostly around shipyards also railroad shops, never brought one home probably should have tho. Like a picker friend told me "I never regret the things I buy, just the things I didn't"! Good luck! Keep us posted

Thanks Direwolf will do! Thanks for the info too!

The piston is from a single piston engine. He said that it used a glow plug, not unlike a giant model airplane engine. Believe it or not he said the way you started it was by walking a giant wheel , like a squirrel cage. A guy got on the wheel and walked until the engine fired. He said it was dangerous but effective.

Looks like he did a great job and you have a long flat section.  I wonder if you might have left some of the curved section on the track for when you need it? I know it's not curved like an anvil horn, but it might have reduced the need to move to another piece of track.  Maybe you have another piece for that?  Have fun and enjoy using it.  

I asked him about that, but he said his shaper had to run a full pass. All his machines are pre 1940's. Which makes being in his shop really cool. The shop has been there since 36.

I took my nicest piece of track to a local machine shop. I wanted to see if he could surface it flat for me. I have tried another piece with a grinder and it came out ok. He did it for 50 bucks which I thought was reasonable. It came out beautiful. If I can get the weather to cooperate I can fire up my forge and try it out.

I would love to get the piston it is sitting on for my museum.  If you end up buying the whole setup and want to part with the piston, PM me.  Thanks.