Gunslinger

PM sent. Thank you again!

Thank You!

Not sure what seems funny, it's not hard to build a forge in the ground next to my seawall and the special handling equipment is one of my boat lifts and chain. Guys in the video used a truck, lol, it's not rocket surgery. No hydrants here, just well water and pumping trucks for a volunteer FD. They have more important things to do when not fighting fires. I gave no advise, just asked about a possible method in my case with what is available. There is always more than one way to skin a cat. Not every way is optimal but can still achieve acceptable results, if it's all you have you work with it, taking the proper safety precautions. Not saying this method is acceptable but we're not talking about a forge welded anvil at a foundry, it's a fork being welded to an anvil base in a manner not so common, more of a backyard shade tree method. It peaked my interest about the possibility of finishing the process in the same manner. The video posted may not be the right way to do it but it shows it can be done which answered my question, if it makes you feel better I'll ad a disclaimer: Don't try this at home, especially without a parachute. Hope that didn't hurt your head more. Haddockkl, apologies for the high jack. Cannot wait to see the welding results. Good luck!

I was looking into it as I peaked my own curiosity and it seems it has been done. Watched a YouTube video of an anvil being heated to non magnetic, put onto a type of modified hitch behind a pick up truck and driven into the lake. I wouldn't advise it but here it is: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b5noM1NnXeE TP, lifes too short to be cranky, I wasn't telling anyone to try this, just thinking aloud. I appreciate the more knowledgable pointing out the pros and cons. To me this seemed possible with what I have available if I was in a pinch. I only know the basics of heat treating which is why I asked. I'll research your suggestions.

Never done it, just thinking aloud. And it's "seems like it could work" not would work, bit of a difference. Are you saying it is not at all possible?

Watching this thread to see the outcome, not sure about not heat treating though. Speaking of heat treating, could you heat an anvil/top plate to non magnetic in a ground forge then dunk it in water to harden the top plate? I have a lake in the yard and a swivel lift/davit to move the hot anvil from forge to lake. Seems like it could work after welding it as you are. Either way, very ambitious project. Worst case it is a learning experience since you are not too invested money wise.

Pre 1910 as it's not stamped England from what I've learned on this site. Most likely late 1800's.

I like it. Heck, I may steal the idea, plenty of uses for an anvil in the kitchen.

By the looks of the profile pic I'd guess that was worn in over years of use of a specific hardy tool or process. The curve on the bottom of the rear shelf shows it took a lot of hammering. Since that area isn't used as much in general I'd look at it as a feature for future shaping. Great size anvil too.

Thanks guys. I'll most likely leave it for now and see what kind of hammering it'll take. Looks like they'll clean up nice.

Will welding a stand to an anvil cause any issues to the anvil? Picked up these 2 Peter Wrights and the smaller 130lb. is welded to the stand. Plan on using the 152lb. until I find a larger shop anvil but couldn't pass the pair for the price. The welded anvil is much quieter and I'll leave it welded, adding a brace or 2, if its not an issue otherwise I'll cut it off. Never used any other stand than a stump and chain so this is beyond my limited experience. Doesn't seem like it would be an issue but I don't know, I do like how quiet it is though.

Sent you the link. I can't wait for the day a deal like that finds me close by. Good luck.

Yup, North MI CL, says Frankfort.

If either of you north MI boys can get to the Traverse City area this Trenton is listed for sale for $300. I'm down in the Thumb and can't make the trip any time soon. Darn shame too, looks nice. Not sure of weight but it isn't tiny at 28" long.

Semi-educated guess based on overall condition. Looks like it had a fairly easy life up to this point. Either way I'm happy to have a second smaller vise and now have a pattern to scale up for the mount and wedges of my larger vise. Going in the electrolysis tank this weekend, I'll put up a pic after its cleaned. What do you think?

Njanvilman, Are the numbers under the year the month and day of production or just mold reference numbers? My 1885 has a 3 and 9 under the year and I noticed the one in this thread has a 6 (or poss. a 5) and 9 under it. Old pic:

Picked up another smaller one, appears to be cast, going to use the bracket as a template and size it up. Got it like this but it cleaned up nice, works well after putting the spring and bracket in the right spot. Old pic: Jaw stamped 35 and screw box has 0-35 cast on it. No other markings yet. Jaws have all their cross hatching still.

Thank you matto! Please let me know if you do.

Nope, not on the truck, going to pass on it. Spent a lot of cash on a recent buying spree, it's a bit over budget at the moment. Going to rebuild the anvil fund and keep looking. ETA: says serial is A94004

Thanks Frosty. Not what I wanted to hear but I reluctantly agree. I'll sleep on it for now, the weld is what has me hesitating. Any insight as to the track record of Trenton's welded that way? It lasted this long, I'd assume it's a non sequitor but I have no personal experience.

Looking at this 340 lb. Trenton from 1910. Asking $3 a pound but more than I'm looking to spend. What would you offer to be fair to both parties. It's a 2 hour drive also. Has a large weld, I believe factory. I'd like to spend about $700, sound reasonable, high or low? Anvils are not rare here but prices are high. TPAAAT has not worked for anvils, but has helped for everything else.

After a bit more evaluation, it seems simpler than I originally thought. There is a cam on the gear, and an adjustable follower on the lower arm. Would still like the info but I'm going to mock something up and see what I can do.

Picked up a Silver No.1 post drill that I'd like to clean up and hang on the wall of the shop. Works well and is mostly complete except for the auto feed arm/pawl. I know finding the part would be a miracle so I'd like to forge one as close to original as possible, problem is I can't find photos with enough detail to do this. Anyone here have this drill? I could use a few detailed photos and measurements of said arm and pawl. Here's a pic of my drill in its current state: Here is the part I need: I could figure out the length but do not know if there is an offset above and below the bolt or what the backside looks like. I know it's a longshot but any help would be appreciated.

Just set it in to show the hole size. Not sure if she'll see use or not. I have a slightly larger Peter Wright I'm using now, but I'm searching for a shop size anvil, something around 200 lbs. or more.

I bought this one for a conversation piece. 90 lb. Fisher from 1885. I think she'd clean up nice if I decided to put her to use.