tanglediver

Misspeller's of the world, UNTIE!!! A Shot in the Dark - Henry Mancini https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=Jjq0WDvapow

Hmmm. It's as old as the U.S. George Washington's sword could have been forged on that anvil, or Benjamin Franklin's kite key, or maybe even Nicolas Cage's colored glasses. It's about that old.

Mine was a poor, farrier's anvil, who never dreamed it was adopted.

I'm guessing it pre-dates 1800.

You have to be a blacksmith? Where am I?

It sounds like you want to add mig weld to the bottom of the anvil foot or feet as need be. Frankly, I would sooner air arc gouge that thick 1-1/8" plate before blazing your PW with a hot foot.

If the stamping reads, "M&H Armitage Mouse Hole", these anvil were made from about 1820 to 1835. Mr. Postman records at least 12 different variations of maker marks on Mouse Hole anvils.

If it were a Nickolson's anvil, you would need to get permission from Nurse Racthet before giving it a frontal edge lobotomy.

That's one old puppy! Our esteemed author loosely describes that pattern as "colonial", predating the "Old English" versions which began near the turn of he 19th century which did feature cutting tables.

You ask MC Hammer for directions to a friends, friends, nephew's place. I hear tell he's got 9 unwanted anvils to choose from. Legend has it that a snake has taken a fancy to a very nice Moushole. Probably waiting for his next meal to pop out of that hole.

The only way to beat the price, put it to good use.

A colonial pattern, Mousehole anvil? That would be pretty cool.

Obviously this anvil served dutifully during the Napoleonic Wars as evidenced by its dual Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Crosses). Very impressive, especially since it would not be forged until many decades after the war. Hmmm....

I can see why, now, that people do not recommend 7018 on anvils. That stuff deforms like playdough when you hit it. I have three, 5 pound blocks of solid 7018 weld metal that I made in the run up to certification for L.A. City, Building and Safety. Those were just practice beads. But for a structure, elasticity is a good thing.

Bad idea. It sounded like a joke question, it was such a bad idea. Take a welding class. Please do not ask really bad idea questions at home. I am a trained professional in and on bad ideas.

The photo appears on page 98 of "The Mousehole Forge", and is credited to a Randy McDaniel whose anvil it is, a certain 243 pound MH. It is said to be missing (Edit; not so much "missing", more like " smoothly worn through") the rear 2/3rds. of the face plate, so Randy, a blade-smith, uses the front 1/3 for blade work. From time to time he polished it for his craft, but over time it became too polished. So, he etched the surface to rough it up a bit. This caused the grain to become visible, showing the difference in wrought iron and tool steel structure. The front 1/3 shows a much straighter and very fine grain, as opposed to the large, swirling grain of the wrought body toward the heel. Paraphrasing Mr. Postman.

Overhead welding indeed. I hate putting in ear plugs for any reason, except over head welding. For the OP; Vincent, I think you have a Peter Wright there. Congratulations!

Burning ear wax does sound a lot like frying bacon. For bacon lovers, that is a bonus.

After buying a Mousehole of my own, I also poured through the 2 Postman books. Yours has every nuance of being an early 19th century Mousehole anvil. Unfortunately the best I have gleaned from the second publication is that even with a known makers mark, the best you can do is to date its manufacture to about a ten year period. It seems Mousehole Forge changed maker's marks about every ten years or so. The most distinguishing features, as I understand them, are the feet (definitely Mousie looking), the basic shape (old English style), the lack of a pritchel (said to have been added after 1830), and the wide, somewhat stubby, work face (another trait common to Mousehole). Congrats on the anvil!

What an outstanding challenge! BeaverNZ has an interesting idea. EVfreek has explained it beautifully. If I knew a good procedure, I would attempt it myself. I suspect E7018 from a fresh can would be a good bet. Good luck!

Well Richard, I'm going with helmet dolly, for making armor, yep! "Survey said.... XXX"

A thwap? I would think a thwung would be heard, oh no that's a cast iron skillet, sorry. Or was that the griddle sound? Does it sound like hickok45's new 80 yard gong? That beast is gonna break someone's piggy bank.

Such a glimpse into the old way, remarkable!

I saw this video in the suggested feed for a few days, but after a fellow board member shared on another site, I was handily impressed. If you haven't seen this, it is quite the job!

The mythical coyote slayer has been found!!