DavidP2211

Thompson Coal in Springfield, OH (330-549-3979) sells a highly recommended Kentucky met coal. I haven't used it as I am still using up what I have so I can't comment on how it burns. However, the pres of the PA ABA is who recommended these guys to me so it has to be good coal. I called them a couple of weeks ago and I think it was something like $200 a ton bagged.

I have spent a bunch of time looking for coal over the last few days. Based on location, it has ranged from about low $200 per to ton to about $340 per ton. That price does not include shipping. The standard price for bagged coal is $15 per 50 pounds of Pocahontas No 3, not including shipping.

Glenn/Thomas - thank you. I did find two mines, both owned by Raw Coal Company, that mine Sewell but al of their coal is sold under bulk contract. Looks like I am going to be buying locally mined met coal.

I need to replenish my supply of coal and wanted to go with Sewell Seam this time based on all the references about it being one of the best blacksmithing coals out there. So, I start to scour the forums and collect the names/numbers of suppliers. There are a number of suppliers listed throughout various forums so I start to call around to find the best price. Hmmm, turns out I am not looking for the best price - I am actually trying to just find a supplier that hasn't gone out of business. Here are the folks I have called and the results so folks here don't waste time putting up a post for a supplier that now isn't available: - Groves Coal (out of business) - Cumberland Elkhorn (hasn't returned numerous calls) - Greenbrier Minerals (apparently in business but have not returned multiple calls) - Lloyd Burns (available but at $270 per ton) - Beury Mountain Carbon (out of business) - Pocahontas Coal and Coke (out of business) - Sewell Mountain Coal (out of business) Anyone have a suggestion on another supplier of Sewell Seam that may still be in business? Also, is Poco No. No. 3 "as good" or close enough that I couldn't tell the difference?

Sorry to shift this thread but scythes have turned into a passion... Peter Vido doesn't sell materials anymore. His cousin, Alexander, took over everything and can be found at http://scytheworks.ca/. Also, if you e-mail him, he can send you photos of literally hundreds of blades not listed on his website. I took several off his hands that are now all finding their way into specialized uses.

Price - very cool idea. I have toyed with the idea of forging one as well. I have never done it only because I have probably five or six anvil "store bought" ones. Considering the very low force used to peen the blade, I would bet virtually any quality steel could be used. Having said that, I am purely speculating and defer to anyone who has tried this.

It is smooth under the heel with no indents. The seam at the waist was noticeable - no cracks or separations but they clearly didn't clean up the overlap.

Will get them and post them tomorrow. The guy also had a 350 pounder, but pretty beat up, that he sold a few weeks ago for $450 to his neighbor. I told him if he could find the 500, that I would give him $750 for it so long as it was in good shape. He was totally thrilled with the price. I suspect some of you sharks would have him down to pennies on the pound but I figure a long term source of anvils is worth not making him interested in looking around...

Status update: Said anvil now resides in a new home where it will be put to its intended use... So I show up to inspect it and no C or any other markings other than a 9 8 3 on the side. There may be more numbers but I couldn't tell. Based on no C and that there was a clear weld seam around the waist let me know it wasn't a Columbian like I first thought. I don't have a ball bearing but it rebounds really well when hit with a hammer. The face is in really good shape with only two small edge chips and a really crisp edge on the left side of the anvil. The right side has a really weird wear pattern though. There is an area maybe 1.0 to 1.5 inches in diameter that is worn a bit lower than the rest of the face and the right edge is rounded a bit as if it was used to fold something over. Whoever used it must have made exactly the same piece a few thousand times. Having said that, it is in really good shape with no torch cuts, gouges, or other damage. The guy I bought it from said he has a 500 pounder stashed under a pile of scrap (he works maintenance for a scrap yard) and said he will call me as soon as he gets a chance to dig it out. IF he calls me back, I will post it here so one of you guys that can actually use something that big can get it. Any thoughts on what the heck the 9 8 3 means? I didn't weigh it but knowing what I can lift - I believe the guy that it weighs in at the 296 he claimed. So now I am the happy owner of a 124 Fisher and this 300 pound Hay Budden (thank you FoxFire for the ID). I am on to forges and some tools.

Ha - I am keeping this one to myself until the cash has changed hands.... Thanks for the help. Now I need to find myself a forge and then make some stuff for you guys to chew on.

Back for some more advice. I am 95% sure I am buying this anvil from a guy located about an hour away. It weighs 296 pounds and the guy is asking $450. Seems to be a very fair price. He hasn't cleaned it up and doesn't know what it is. However, it has a 1 3/8" hardie, is coming from the Cleveland area, and sure looks like a Columbian to my uneducated eyes. It looks to be in great shape and he said it rings clear so the face isn't delaminated. Am headed there after work to pick it up unless you folks tell me I am making a miserable mistake. Thanks again for the help.

Well - I did. But, not for me. A friend who is a farrier had me pick it up for him. Anyone have info on these: the Trenton is marked at 1 0 5 and 179003. The Fisher is simply marked Fisher IIII and 1922. thx

I don't know squat about smithing , as I am pretty much brand new as well. However, I learned long ago that when I ask a group of folks that have experience measured in decades telling me to do A but I still go and do B, I am pretty sure whatever decision I made was the wrong one. Just saying...

Well - guess who is the happy owner of a new (to me) Trenton. Ended up paying $300 which looks to be a fair price. He was willing to sell the Fisher for $225 which seemed to be a very fair price as well. I also totally understand what everyone means when they say a Fisher is quit. The Trenton was in very good shape with just a bit of edge damage so I am good with the deal. I suspect that the Fisher was the better deal at the price but I really liked the bigger face size of the Trenton as well.

JME - appreciate the advice. I found a few local groups and will be wandering through them over the next few months. A few years ago - I routinely went to equipment auctions and would see good quality ones go for about 50 cents to the pound. My uncle is an auctioneer in a pretty rural part of western/central PA and he said they come up a few times year and rarely go for more than about $1.50 a pound. If I didn't need to get a project started, I would hold off till I got one from him. ThomasPowers/arftist - thanks again for the help! Forums like this really help "uneducated consumers" like me from making stupid decisions.