Caleb

I want this in my backyard, nice work!

Looks pretty sweet!  I've thought about making a sand stand, but haven't gotten around to it yet.  Nice work!

4 hours ago, Stormcrow said:

One of the other contestants in my episode is also on Iforgeiron.  She's to my right, second from the left in the picture.

That's Rashelle, I'm apprenticing under her and can't wait to see the episode!

1 hour ago, Black Frog said:

Thanks for the pictures!  Serial 129260 is 1914 according to Anvils In America.

Awesome, thanks for looking it up for me!

28 minutes ago, Frosty said:

That must feel special good putting a family heirloom back to work where she belongs.  Finding a torch cut sucks but it doesn't look too bad. No serious damage I can see do a hammer rebound test to look for places in the face that have delaminated. Don't worry about the rebound so much as listen and watch for dead places.

Might want to make your Dad something on it. Oh WAIT, what am I thinking! Make something for the boss, keeping your Mom happy will make all the difference if your Dad finds something else. 

Frosty The Lucky.

Thanks Frosty!  I haven't had a chance test it yet, but I'll be doing that soon.  I definitely plan on making something for my parents!

I recently had a call from my dad who told me he found my grandfathers old farm anvil and I should come get it.  I was extremely surprised when I finally picked it up, that my dads been hiding on old Trenton anvil!  Now, not only do I have my first "real" anvil, but it's a family anvil and a Trenton on top of that.  There is a little bit of edge damage and apparently someone decided to cut something on the face and it caused a bit of damage.  Nothing I can't work around though.  Judging from the markings it's 142 lbs and the serial # is 129260, if anyone with the AIA book could give me the age on it I would appreciate it greatly.

I have the privilege of apprenticing under Rashelle a local blacksmith/instructor with Trackers Earth.  During our forge day on May 12 she wanted to teach us how to forge weld a traditional belt axe head by forge welding a section of 1080 into the folded flat stock of mild steel.  I'm excited about the options that the knowledge of forge welding is going to open up for me and hopefully this first project turns out.  By the end of the day we had our axe heads shaped and annealing.  This coming Thursday we'll start the grinding and clean up process and hopefully get them pretty close to finished.  I'll keep the post updated with shots of the work in progress.  

Thanks a ton to Rashelle for all the knowledge she has been willing to share with me!

On 4/5/2016 at 11:38 AM, Rashelle said:

My assistant at work (who's on this site somewhere), wife's a chef and she liked the lightness and feel of the blade. I might of mentioned to her now he will need to get a good belt sander, for himself to make chef knives with. She agreed.  Heehee.

Yes, my wife was definitely very interested in the chef knife, and I think it's a beauty as well!  Luckily Rashelle wants to keep getting some practice making them so I get to make one along side her.  We completed the tongs and hammers needed today and can't wait to start on the blade.

Thanks for laying the ground work with my wife for letting her know the need for a fancy grinder!  I think if I keep making her knives I'll be able to get one sooner rather then later. ;-)

On 2/3/2016 at 1:14 PM, BIGGUNDOCTOR said:

Also, are you using the rail laying flat, or stood on end?

I am laying the rail flat on a stump.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!  I think I definitely have a bit more to consider before I just jump on some of the first anvils I find. I might make a phone call to find out more about these two, but unless everything checks out I'll probably keep using my rail anvil for now.  Thanks a ton!

Hello all,

I'm looking at moving away from my railroad track section anvil I have been using and purchasing my first actual anvil.  I have found 2 in my area that I am considering, but I would love to get some insight on what people thought of the 2 I am looking at.  One is a 100# Vulcan anvil ($450) and the other just says it's a 100# English blacksmith anvil ($650). 

 Link removed due to no third party or off site sales policy

Any info is greatly appreciated!