C-1ToolSteel

Nice job! I tried making a keychain sized anvil (forge-welded at the waist) once, and the base piece got away from me and worked its way down to the bottom of my firepot...

Well, since I don't know your location, I can't help you as far as classes go, but metal pouring is definitely something to stay away from until you know what you are doing. Protective clothing is a must, but he will never be safe without a clear head and proper education. Liquid metal doesn't care how many fingers you think you should have.

Nice work.

Prayers on the way.

Keep us updated.

I don't have a swage block, but If I did, I would want it to have depressions for bowls, ladles, spoons, etc. The half round and half square depressions on the sides are something that would be nice, but I personally don't think I would use them very often. Remember that back in the day, hammer marks were a sign of poor quality work, thus making a swage block coupled with the appropriate top swages a very useful tool. Nowadays, people *like* hammer marks, making them largely obsolete. Most swage blocks also had square and round holes for holding jigs, drifting tools, etc. I personally wouldn't use those very often, as the hardy hole, pritchel hole, and vise accommodate most of my needs. I'm sure there are some people here who couldn't imagine life without one, but I think most of us like them mainly because of nostalgia.....which raises the question "is there a big enough market for modern produced swage blocks to make any kind of profit?"

No prob. I'll be sure to do it when I get a chance. @ThomasPowers *Most* everyone, that is...

As someone who has gone to the effort of building a brick forge, I can tell you that they have no real advantages over something you could weld up in a couple of hours. That being said, they are just cooler than any other type of forge, in my opinion. If this is your first forge build, I strongly recommend that you start with something simple like the JABOD, and tweak it to suit your needs, *before* you make one out of brick. You may even decide that the dirt box works fine, and you don't need a brick forge. As for the bricks, different types (even stone) have been used, and I believe you could make them work with a little creativity. As Jasent said, you should probably knock the lip off. As for the chimney, you will want to make it a side-draft, if you will be using bricks for the whole thing. I used standard rectangular bricks for my forge, but I can PM you some progress pics of mine if you are interested.

Thanks guys! @ausfire Not for any one thing in particular. Sometimes I just have to break down and use C clamps or put up with an awkward angle (when filing, drilling, grinding, rasping, etc.) When it seems like a horizontal vise would solve the problem. Time will tell if it actually gets used that way very much.

Been "remodeling" the shop a little today to make room for a couple new additions. Finally got the post drill set up that @Tubalcain2 gave me (thanks, bro!!), and moved the work table over to make room for a new stump to mount my larger vise to. Also fixed up the leg vise I got from Littleblacksmith and made a portable stand for it. It's super handy now to have a second vise that can be wheeled around like a dolly. Also, when set on it's side, it makes for a sturdy horizontal vise which is something I have wished I had many times. Made a large guillotine fuller after that. The rounding hammer is an insanely awesome 3 pounder that @littleblacksmith sent me, made my him and @BOUNTY FORGE. THANKS GUYS!!!

SUPER nice job, bro.

You're gonna outgrow that thing within a week! Still kinda cool.

Not bad at all for a first! ...especially for using his wrong hand. Why didn't he just hammer left-handed?

Yes, you should be EXTREMELY worried about cleaning it up!! Grab some hot steel to clean her up with as soon as possible!

Oh, I wasn't doubting the validity of your story. Just CRAZY jealous!!

Welcome to the forum! Facing a cast iron anvil with tool steel is unfortunately not a job that the average guy can handle. The cast iron, tool steel face anvils such as the ones made by Fisher were faced by an entirely different process than electric arc welding. So the short answer is no. ...the good news is that you can buy a %100 tool steel anvil with the small face you are wanting but with MUCH more mass under the hammer for less than you will ever spend on a Harbor Freight door stop!! Take a trip to the local scrap yard, and pick up a larger axle, or any solid piece of steel for that matter. Even a sledge hammer head makes for a respectable anvil. You can use a vise (or the Harbor Freight ASO) for your hardy tools.

For Middle East, a hand forged menorah (Seven branch candlestick) would be pretty cool.

Make some letter openers. They will teach you basic forging techniques without the expense and hassle that comes with HC steel.

You say those are your.....FIRST knives?? DUDE!!!!!

Yep, looks like a Hay Budden. Very nice anvil you have there. The step is unusually steep and looks a little odd to me. I would wonder if it was repaired a while back, but the clear ring is a good sign. BTW, a separate anvil ID probably deserves its own thread.

Beautiful anvil. "Stourbridge" is the English town your anvil was made in. Check this thread out for a Stourbridge add that lists "Mountford & Homer" under "Vice and Anvil Makers". BTW, I counted at least ten pick heads in the background. Any story behind that?

You just need to make up a story to captivate your customers with as you tell them about the legendary copper maggots that helped ancient people win battles... Probably similar to how some of these wacky stories started.

That knife is really neat, Mark. Love the handle, and the copper on the blade is really unique.

What's the weight of that closest rounding hammer in pic #1, Mark? Looks like a beast!

Equally pathetic as all those "give me anvil for less than it is worth" listings in my opinion are the fact that most of them (in my area, anyway) don't even think to say "WTB" or "Looking for..." in the title. If I was gonna give something like that away, I'd at least like to think it was going to someone with a little common sense.