Ravenslair

September 2, 2015

Did a quick rebound test tonight using a 1.5" ball bearing. Dropped it from 10" along three points down the working table. All three points rebounded somewhere 8.5" - 9.0"

Gotta love slow motion video.

September 1, 2015

Make the local CBA meetings as well, it'll put you in touch with tools, materials and more blacksmiths. They do demos and depending on group have open forges so you can take a slash at the day's demo.
My parent's last Cal. house was on Lake Davis in Plumas County, you could see the big tree near the house from Portola. We used to watch the lightning storms scouring the top of Mt. Beckworth from the living room. Nice country.
Frosty The Lucky.

I will take a look at the CBA.

Lake Davis is a beautiful area. Great fishing as well.

September 1, 2015

You got THAT for $500!!! Holy Moly what a DEAL! I wouldn't do a thing but put that fine old lady to work, there's nothing but cosmetic dings, nothing that'll effect your work.
Now if you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance. You WOULD like to get together with experienced smiths and flatten the old learning curve wouldn't you? A day with an experienced smith is worth weeks maybe months of trying to figure it out yourself.
I'll bet there are guys not far away who'd be happy to show you what you can do on that fine old lady.
Frosty The Lucky.

Done. Location added. Signing up with a local experienced smith for a set of classes he teaches. Once day a month for six months. Should get me off to a good start. Thanks for the suggestions!

August 31, 2015

I just picked this up for $500. The edges are rounded and there are a few small chips and nicks but from what I can tell this was a pretty good deal. The top has a roughly 1mm dip in the middle but is very straight otherwise. The gentleman has tools for the hardie hole but could not find them at the time of pickup. He will find them in the next week or two but it sounded like there were several inserts. Not bad for my first real anvil (I use a piece of tie at the moment). Just getting into blacksmithing as a hobby.