Just picked up a Champion 408 forge with a champion 400 blower and a whirlwind tuyere Very nice shape. I will be using this out outside and keeping the Buffalo inside. I did remove the lever to activate the blower and will be switching over to a motor with a variable speed switch to adjust the blower.
Grabbed a nice William Foster today dated 1844 or maybe 1842 on the side cant make out William but the Foster is in the correct spot based on Postman's book. Got it for a song off of a friend. Right around 182 lbs.
No story, the stuff has been sitting for at least 95 years, comes from Downtown New Bedford, Mass. Do you know what the flatter hammer is in the 9th picture in front of the lantern?
I can't figure out one of the flatter hammers in the 9th picture in front of the lantern. It has 4 nipples one on each corner of the face. Was that to hold the stock in place or a guide to forge stock to a certain thickness?
Its also in my shop with all of the blacksmith tongs, hammers, hardies and about 1500 lbs of other stuff.
The Anvil has Patent on it so I'm figuring 1852-1860 does that sound correct?
I picked up a nice 267 Lb Peter Wright today. I went to a local Saw Mill and got some stumps cut square for my anvils and the guy asked what am I using them for. I told him to mount my anvils on and he went on to tell me a story about how his Grand Father bought out a blacksmith shop in New Bedford, Mass in 1910 and he has an anvil and a swage block in one of the barns since he was a kid. Long story short I left with the anvil.
I can only assume this was used for the Whaling indusrty
Thanks for the heads up, it looks like there already is a layer or Refractory cement in the bowl although its hard to see in the picture. Thanks again.
Looking for some help on the forge I just picked up. For starters I have narrowed it down to a 1892 #0 by Buffalo. Great shape with the exception of the handle for the blower which is incorrect, I will be making a new one out of oak or hickory. Any way to get the dimensions on the original handle? Also looking to see if anyone can send me a picture or schematic of where the blower attaches to the pan. Everything is attached and functioning but it doesn't look quite right underneath. I have attached a picture of the forge.