Daswulf

Hey, many of us learn by trial and error. It's perfectly fine as long as you live to tell about it. You are welcome to try whatever and please let us know how it works. I say that sincerely. I like simple and cheap and self made. Otherwise I wouldn't have started doing this. From the looks of it you are on a decient path. I'm just trying to nudge you to simpler success. I honestly look forward to seeing you succeed and seeing how it happened. Keep up with the documentation

Another bolt bottle opener. Tried not to disturb the threads as they look awesome as they spread out. First attempt was better but of course I got distracted and burned it. Sure I said a couple choice words but I wasn't going to be beaten by my stupidity.

Love it!

Not to be mean but from the looks of the thickness of the grate part it probably won't hold up long at all for a grate. One suggestion on that IF you are using it for a coal forge is to cut a hole in it to fit a brake rotor with roughly 2" depth by 8" diameter pot. You may be able to find 2" black pipe to be able to make a good tuyere. If you don't have access to a welder you can probably use a floor flange to attach the 2" pipe to the brake rotor and something heavier as a grate. Also cut some openings in the long sides to let your work piece lay in the "sweet spot" in the fire. Hope that made sense. Also that's just my 2cents from what i think you are working at.

Look into your local ABANA. Maybe you could meet some other local blacksmiths. Other then that I think you found the right place. hope you can get hammering soon. Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome aboard Omegabrock, and thank you for your service. Sounds like you have a good plan going. Where are you located?

It's a great size to start on. I haven't moved up in size from my 127lb. Trenton anvil yet and it has even had a couple 3lb hammers forged on it. It will serve you well. If you ever need a larger anvil after you get some experience then I'm sure you will know it.

Congrats on the first show. Sounds like good ideas for the next one. I can understand not wanting the forge under the canopy but if you are working small stock you may benefit from having the forge atleast somehow closer to the anvils since small stock cools pretty quickly. Just a thought.

Ah.. I was wrong. If its usable as is then put it to service. Congrats on a great score.

Beautiful work Buzzkill.

It's a great old anvil! what exactly do you want schooled on?

Awesome job. actually the pop rivets arnt putting me off on this. but round head rivets would look fine too.

Yup Glenn, It's bituminous. I will let you know when I will be planning on going.

Thank you guys.

Your welcome to it. Just pm me. Last I bought it it was around $85. A ton. Haven't been there yet this season but I will be soon. He holds odd hours. Nice guy tho. Let me know.

GlennA if your willing to drive an hour or so I can tell you ( or show you) a place to get bituminous coal that is close to me. I looked and it said you are an hour from my location.

Good deal then. Since you have a box of the ball hitches, and you obviously are good at grinding them, you could make a couple different diameter bottom fullers.

Looks like it'll do the job. Wow that is a lot of grinding. Does it just sit in the hole? They are better off easily removed in my opinion so you can pop it out and get back safely hammering without a potential finger lopper there. On a side note, if it just sits in a round hole there is the potential for it to rotate around making you chase it.

I faintly see the lower half of the diamond that the Trenton name is stamped inside of in the 3rd picture. My Trenton was like that with only the upper portion of that diamond showing.

let me save you the trouble and state that you should post your location (and mainly in your profile for future posts reference) as buying coal in different parts of the United States is way different let alone the world that this forum covers. what kind of forge would you like to build? an bottom blast or side blast? indoors or outdoors? what do you plan to be making? yeah details really help. help us help you. the possibilities are endless even with details so imagine them without. welcome to the forum.

That they are you'll find an anvil soon enough tho now that you can forge and bypassed it haha. if not you are still endless in your capabilities with it. sure wish I started out earlier when I could before I had to have an anvil. Happy forging! Aric

Thats one I found when making mine. just to say had I to do it over I'd have gone 12" instead of 10". is it a problem? no. just something I'd have done different Thomas, well stated, better then I can.