easilyconfused

Pictures would help us decide a time based on the feet and overall look. The solid wrought will be written as a circle under "patent" if it is there. Is there England on the side?

According to the serial number it's a 1943-1945 vintage Trenton. As for cost, it depends on your region and you'll need to talk to local blacksmiths to figure that out. According to Anvils of America, it should be a 50 pound anvil if the markings are correct. The T should be a maker mark but it may be a 1, making it a 150 pound anvil. The only way to be certain is to weigh it though.

If it doesn't make much money, it's because there wasn't the right crowd. Nothing to do with your work. Here's hoping there are some people with fire places!

Very nice! I need to add a swinging tray to my stands. My one critique from the photos would be to make sure you aren't going to wind up getting hung up on the hooks. They look pointy.

Flipping the metal top to bottom as well as front to back on both sides helps reduce any punch bias. Flipping your metal in the fire to even the heat out helps. Center punching the exact center helps if you aren't already. Cooling the thinner side so that the thicker side does the moving helps as well.

Here's the first centerpiece of 30 put together. I've got 26 of the stems done and 18 of the buds so far.

I know there are lots of other people out there that are worse off and require prayers but me and my Fiancee are having troubles finding work. Really getting hard on the shoulders dealing with constantly being turned away because they decide they only want one Veterinarian or one with more experience than a new grad. Thanks, Ryan

I have started a team on Etsy dedicated to blacksmithing and iron fabrication to help promote us. Feel free to join if you're on there! http://www.etsy.com/teams/7840/etsy-blacksmiths

I'm thinking of submitting a piece to the Calgary Stampede this year and was wondering if anyone had photo's uploaded from the showcase previous years. I want to do some research on the type of metalwork they like. Thanks, Ryan Ridgway

Me and my roommate used the handles EasilyAmused and EasilyConfused for videogames.

Here are some christmas presents for my Fiance's parents.

My fiance got me the same book for christmas. Now to date my anvils and get ahead of the game so I'm prepared for future finds!

I plug welded the cups to the handle by punching a hole in the handle and plug welding the cup to it, and then ground the welds down and heated to scale off the grinding marks.

Here's my take on the candle holders that hang inside mason jars.

I haven't tried other hammers like brett baileys and other expensive ones, I have used tons of cheaper ones. I find the hofi hammer is so much better balanced for me. With less effort, I can use the hammer for many more uses than just a flat face. I am able to easily angle the hammer face to use it as a fuller. Some people may not find it works well for them though. All that matters is you find a hammer that doesn't tire you out while you fight to balance it and control it. The problem is that most store hammers are unbalanced and don't have the same rebound. The rebound however is a testament of the quality of steel used rather than the hammer design itself. Before you jump out and buy one, I would find local blacksmiths that have different hammers for you to try before you decide which works best for you. I was luck enough to get to try it before I bought it so I knew what I was getting into.

We just had a hunting trial dog come into the vet clinic and it didn't leave. It's brain wound up starved for oxygen from lack of blood supply. Moral of the story, HEAT STROKE IS SERIOUS!!!!! Because reptition is the best way to get people to remember things, PRE-HYDRATE and maintaining is better than playing catch up. When dehydrated, the blood vessels to the intestines loose blood flow so you don't absorb the water as well. Sip rather than gulp. Gatorade is good but the sugar in it induces urine producion which means you're loosing lots of water. Same with caffine or alcohol. Avoid these!!! Gatorade is still good in moderation for electrolytes. Pickles, potato chips, even straight salt licked off your hand work well for what we need to replace for electrolytes. Shade and a breeze works wonders. Rubbing alcohol on the skin of the wrists and neck can help cool you're blood off, particularily in humid environments where sweat isn't evaporating. Cool water baths/ showers (Not cold, because that can cause constriction of the blood vessels and slow cooling) will work. Avoid working during the heat of the day!!! Wake up early and siesta during the heat of the day and work later in the evening. Light clothes, particularily white to reflect heat. Light cotton or linen because it breaths better than most synthetics.

When it's -40 celcius outside, you enjoy the extra heat :D

You can use wood for you're heat source. As stated, you have to burn out the impurities and get a bed of embers to heat in though. It takes up more room than charcoal and puts out lots more radiant heat while you build and maintain your embers. I've done it to help take the chill out of the shop in winter though.

On the topic of fogging glasses, the old hockey fix for clear visors is to use clear liquid dish detergent and spread it on with a clean rag until it's clear again.

One tip that's been left out to prevent burns when you don't wear gloves while normal forging: don't let your tong hand drop below the metal you're hammering.

I haven't gotten around to making one of these but I can see the advantage. I am still nervous about the tapered shank but the curved face makes complete sense. I've seen some flat faced ones that are actually concave in the center from being used which really slows down cutting.

Most of the canadian forge and blower anvils I've seen are cast iron ASO. I've heard some are actual steel though and have some rebound.

I'm going to have to steal some of these ideas for when I get a clinic set up or buy in on one. 2 more weeks and I'm a DVM!

Mine is Ridgway Forge. It's not very original because it's my last name but it works because as of until I move to my job, it's been back at the family farm along a coulee. www.ridgwayforge.etsy.com

If it was me, I would make sure it was annealed very well and uniform and rely on the inherent strength of the steel alone not the temper. Will wear out faster but less likely to shatter although it still can if not done right. I would still not do it because of the danger. You're only 10' tall and bullet-proof until the bullet hits you.