Ranchmanben

Ted, those look well forged and clean.

Doesn’t matter. It’s fun to try something new, you always learn something new, usually what not to do the next time. Let me know if you’ve got any questions.

This is one of the few times I’ve looked at something in the knife section and I’m glad I did. I’d be mighty proud to use that at my wedding, anyone would! Good hustle.

Das, do it!

Grill tongs

That is folks, Jennifer and Al, they’re not not lefties. I built them like I thought scissors handles were built but without the small thumb hole. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen a pair of scissors that weren’t utility shears. One side mighty be beveled opposite of you might think normal but they’re very comfortable in this format and can be used the same from either direction. I had a buddy use them tonight and he refused to give them up after using them.

Here are the finished bbq tongs. The grabby parts ended up narrower than I would have liked but that’s ok for this set. They’re a little heavy but not so much that they’re uncomfortable to use.

Jennifer, those wbc guys make everything look so so easy!

Don’t get me wrong Frosty, I’d really like to have a double horn anvil but given the choice of ONLY having a flat horn I’d have to keep hunting. I use my horn a lot though. Sure, most of the things I use it for could be done on a hardy but not all and I’d have to be more careful. From hanging out with farriers I’ve learned how to use the horn way more effectively and more often.

I forged these from 5/8” coil spring. Next time I’m going to start with smaller stock and try mild steel.

The horn of that anvil looks flat. That’s defeats the purpose of having a horn.

No sweat.

Thank you Frosty. That’s yet another unfinished project. I’ve got the handles done for the shovel and tongs but that’s it. We had a very mild winter last year and burned very few fires so I had very little motivation to finish the set.

Like Lou said, those sharp edges are cracks or slivers waiting to shoot off. It doesn’t hurt to have a sharp edge on a part of your anvil but the majority of it should at least have a tiny radius, 1/16” radius minimum. In addition to preventing your anvil from chipping, you very seldom want an absolutely square inside corner on whatever your forging. I’d recommend just lightly knocking off that sharp corner in the sweet spot above the waist to start with. You can always radius the edges more as needed.

Jennifer, after I get them finished I’ll post a picture in hand. When grilling beef steak it’s not like you’re constantly holding your tongs and messing with stuff anyways. For the most part you’ve only got one hand occupied with a beverage. At my house, I grill. I’ve done it a long time and I’m particularly good at it. My wife doesn’t really want to learn because if I’m grilling she doesn’t have to cook. At my sisters house, she and her husband switch of who grills and they are both better than I am. Man or woman, I don’t care who mans the grill as long at it’s good. My scorn knows no gender if it’s over cooked. JHCC, that’s a mighty fine looking set of tongs with a healthy sized rivet. Nicely done.

They’re not too heavy. They’re certianly not as light as the sorry chrome ones you get at the dollar store but not cumbersome either. Gonna have to get some stainless for the next set.

Experimented with bbq tongs today.

Here’s my favorite.

I’ve been using a speaker stand that someone left in one of my mom’s rent houses. I’d really like to build a forged dead man deadman but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I had to do a lot of hunting even to find a picture of one.

If it rings good and rebounds good then it’s a good anvil. If it’s yours and you’re happy with the price you paid then it’s a great anvil. Looks like a clean anvil to me and Arm&hammer is a fine brand. That’s serial number puts it at the end of 1918 or early 1919.

Some like these.

Nothing like the good ole custom made, hollow plywood anvil stand.

Looks like A3176 to me. Which would date it around 1918. If there is a one at the end of the number then it would be around 1921. The Hay-Budden stamp makes me thing it’s a later make also.

1909

Personally, I’d clean it up. I’d soak it in something first then try a wire brush or brass wire wheel to knock off any loose flaky rust. Then reassess.