starbits

BGD thanks for the advice on the shroud. It will be at least that stout. It won't be sold. I have considered being buried with it though, as a final practical joke on my pall bearers.

I will probably weld up some type of shroud for the grinder before I use it. Saw a wheel come apart once, no injuries, but I know what it can do. No worries Frosty, I think of you guys in the same vein every time hunting and trapping season rolls around. Be a while before I stop smiling about the HB, most decent anvils around here run $5-$6 a pound. Starbits

Found a turn of the century Kerrihard belt driven pedestal grinder. Had to drive quite a ways, but pedestal grinder 1.5 hp motor, tool rest, 4 grinding wheels (12") and a dressing tool for $100. Friday I was helping out a scrapping buddy clear out a neighbors yard and came home with a 45 pound RR track anvil, 20 feet of 1/4x1" flat bar and 20 feet of 1/2" round bar. Saturday there was a craig's list ad for a 200 pound anvil for $200. I called the guy, he didn't remember any marking but said it looked like it had been hardly used. Told him I would take it hoping it was usable. Picked it up yesterday and this is what I found. I think I am going to buy a lottery ticket. 181 pounds.

It is not a blacksmith joke, but it seems there is a joke there somewhere. Starbits

video of axe making in the early 60's Axe making

A 250 pound Blacksmith weighs more at 65 than he did at 26.

180

good now I know what to call the small vise and can do some more research.

The larger post vise has 5 1/2 inch jaws and weighs 83 pounds. The smaller vise doesn't have a post. Not sure how it was supposed to be attached. It was $50 for the small vise and $200 for the big vise and all the hammers/top sets and the files.

OK thanks everyone. Starbits

Ha! I am very new at this. In no time at all my forearm gets tight followed by rapidly declining striking accuracy to somewhere about the effectiveness of a drunk at a urinal. I will pick the steel up on tuesday, yard is closed today and tomorrow. I have no stick welder so the hard face will have to wait. Another question: Do I need to cut a straight edge on the face or will the curved edge not matter that much. Starbits

While looking at a scrap yard for something to use as an anvil I came across a steel cylinder that is about 9" diameter and 22" long. Top and bottom are flat. Rough calculation puts the weight at around 400 lbs. I didn't have a file to check hardness at the time, but would expect it is not hardened. Is there a way of hardening the face on something this size? If not is welding a hardened top place on it simply a matter of welding it in place or is there something more involved. Do not know what type of steel it is although the scrap yard could possibly zap it with the xray to find the composition. Price of the piece would be around $150. Starbits