stovestoker

im sorry I dont know what an EDC is? but I was wondering what I could do with them.

oil is booming again. Sweetwater is blowing up. Abilene is not far behind.

Well I built this thing today from an old set of server racks. My first solid fuel brake drum forge, I'm building a gas forge as well. Pictures are next to my new stump anvil. I need to brace it and raise it on some sturdy legs. There is a burn ban on right now. You can see how dry it is here in West Texas, so no trail runs. But hopefully ill have the shop built soon.

Thanks all for the encouragement. I have been to the scrap yard hunting a dozen times now with no luck.. This thing was calling my name, I had to bring it home..  I have an idea for getting a flat side. Not sure if it will work. I'll keep you all posted. I'm going to do the fit up and before I commit ill post and you guys can tell me what you think. Thanks again

I still have my piece of RR track. I was thinking about a saddle of some kind for an edge. My fear is that I heat up the top too much cutting and grinding it will lose its bounce.

If I had a question it would be. How did I do as far as usability?

Well my search for something better that RR track took me to the scrap yard again this morning. I still haven't found a proper anvil but I saw this and thought it would make a good stump anvil. the larger top is hard and the ball bearing bounced a foot off the top. It was in two pieces but mated it seemed like it was meant to be. The base has some cracks in the bolt hole, but I think I can weld them after burning out the grease. I cut the bearing collar off. The whole thing weighs 127.

Ferrier anvils are mostly what Ill find in this part of the world.

Ok on with the great anvil hunt, the feelers I put out directed me to an antique shop that had these two specimens. sorry for the crappy pics. the large Anvil is a Texas made anvil. Hardy hole is present just hard to see in the pic. decent bounce. The second is a buffalo for 125. Its pretty bad but the one flat spot it had , had great bounce. Not sure if the large anvil for 495 is a bit high. But it is in good shape with decent edges. And they will layaway.

My uncle worked for union Pacific here in Abilene for 40 years. I got a bunch of stuff from my grandmothers. This may be where I picked it up. He was a huge man with arms like tree trunks.

I have one just like it, except mine says "Cut Devil" on it.  It's a hot cutting chisel.  A spike hammer usually has a long square or round nose on it.  I would put a handle on it and keep it in the rack to hot cut stuff.

 

Geoff

What do you think the age is on it? Just wondering when they stopped cutting track by hand.

Well the rail road built this town. Now I would like to know what it is before changing it. May swing it as is with a short handle

I have Had this old splitting maul for longer than I can remember. I was thinking about making a straight peen out of it. Not sure if it will balance though. I am just starting out my journey into blacksmithing so this would be one of 3 hammers dedicated to that endeavor so far.

So looking for ideas. convert it from a wood tool to a steel tool. Or leave it be?

Grumpy      Maybe So!  I'll call them in the AM

Word?

The one on CL sold for 350. Austin is about 4 hours from here, though I would take a trip down there. I got a brother in round rock. Honestly I would take what I could get for 400. I posted a question on the CL anvil for 500 and folks were saying I could get a new one for that. I guess that's true but the ole you get what you pay for adage comes into play.

Expect $5 to $8 per pound for new US made anvils, plus shipping. There are some nice ones out there, as mentioned.

 

Sure makes prices on those older ones look more reasonable, don't it?

Suddenly it does. wow. May have to sell a firearm. No way my other half is going to let me drop a grand on a "hunk of steel". My RR track is going to half to do for a while. I have feelers out so hopefully i'll trip over a used one.

If I strike out finding a used anvil, who makes a good anvil at a reasonable price. Looking for a 100 to 150#. Under 400?

Howdy back at yah Thomas, I'm in Abilene. I dint literally insult him. But I did pass on the info and to why I could only offer him a hundred. He did lower his price to 350. I.told him my offer still stood if he didn't get any takers.

Thanks all. I am going to insult him and then pass if he doesn't take the offer. I'll keep banging on my RR track for now.

brother im in The great Country of Texas. same as you. I was thinking about hitting the farm auctions. I was going to insult him with a hundred dollar offer.

true on the new one. Does it look like a peter wright? what would be a fair offer?

This anvil is located in a local trade post. It may be a Peter Wright. the face looks pretty had. The guy wants 500. I want to counter with knowledge to see I fi can do better or if it is even worth it. Thanks for all the help.