RobS

Threads on the screw should be square.  Rounding on the threads means it has wear.

As for the mounting...  

If you decided to keep the current mount setup, you will want to bolt it to the floor.  When you start twisting the vise will twist if not secured.  Another option is to extend the base out further so you can stand on it while working at the vise.  That way when you twist your work, your weight will help counter the movement of the vise.

Other than the threads, it looks like all the parts are there (except the tip of the mounting plate. Should be 3 holes).  $125 for a complete, 5" vise is not a bad price.

Found about 16' of 7/8" wrought iron behind the house today.

My step dad tore down an old barn for a client and he saved a few of the main beams for himself.  The beams were circular saw cut, but had hand cut mortise and tenon joints.  He said the barn was filled with rods re-enforcing the beams.  He said there were a bunch of rods up to 20' long.  He cut most of the rods to free up the beams and left some of the rods in the beams he brought back home.  I grabbed everything left in his beams.  Unfortunately,  there was probably a couple hundred feet of additional iron that was pushed into a hole and buried with the rest of the barn.  He didn't know what it was at the time.

Those would make nice braziers for a patio.

When I was a kid (1970s-80s), I played in the woods from sun-up to sun-down.  I never once had a tick on me.  I only remember the family dogs getting a tick a couple of times.  Now a days we are constantly pulling them off the animals, kids, etc.  There has without a doubt been a population explosion in ticks in NY.

My half cocked opinion is the increase in predators helped the tick population.   Birds of prey and coyotes.   I used to count turkey flocks numbering 100+  as a kid.  Now I see flocks of 10-12.  I used to kick up multiple grouse and pheasants in the woods and side of the roads.   I have not seen 1 grouse or pheasant in the last 2 years.  

I think the predators are culling  the animals that prey on ticks.

I'm not blaming 100% on the increase of predators, but I believe a large part is from their help.

I just bit the bullet and bought a spring compressor kit of the amazon.  I think it was like $27 for the kit.  That is cheaper than any trip to the hospital. 

Why does the broken heel have to be smooth?  What do you plan to make, that can only be made on that spot of the anvil and only if that spot is smooth?

So why grind on it?

I used to work with knives like those bigger ones.  Everyday after work had to change out the chipper knives.  Then clean them, put them in the sharpener, knock the babbit out, melt and re-pour new babbit, than file the babbit smooth.  

Still have no idea what the knives are made of...

Seems like a lot of old Mouseholes also have the stance like an old hotrod.  High in the back and low in the front.

Beware of a painted face.  That can hide things like welded repairs.  Which could be good but better chance of being bad.  Those edges look very sharp and the face does look alittle low.  Good chance it was "repaired"

The "construction" is common among many makers.  Without a stamp, its a best guess.  Different makers did tend to have little differences such as the depression in the bottom though.  That helps the guess.

The rough finish of the body and lack of visible maker, and hourglass shaped bottom leads my guess to Hay Budden also.  They tend to have terrible visibility on their stamp.  

It was made by Henry Wright in England and it weights 2*1*6 (2x 112 + 1x 28 + 6=   278lbs) English stone weight.  Stamped England mean post 1911 ish.  Not sure what other info you need.

Wire brush works good.  No grinding.

So its counterbored from the top and from the bottom?  Seems like a lot of work.  I'm with John my guess would be something stuck in the hole.

First.  What does "it doesn't seem to have a good rebound"  mean.  Is it rebounding 8" of the 10" and you don't think it is good enough?  Or is like  a bean bag?  Did you use a ruler or anything to judge the bounce height?

60% or 80% rebound means little to a hobbyist pounding steel a couple hours a day.  Yes more is better.  But less does not mean the anvil is not usable.  Human nature makes alot of people think they have to have the best of anything or else it isn't worth using.

Rebound should be thought of as another way to check value vs. asking price.

Example-  2 identical cars are for for sale.  One happened to had a vandal take a baseball bat to every inch of the body.  Then it was fixed with body filler and paint.  The driveability is the same on both. But should you pay the same full price for the "repaired" car?

Hay Budden.  108lbs. Made in Brooklyn NY.  Operated from about 1890-1920 ish.  Should be a serial number on the front foot that would give a better date of birth.

I'm not sure I classify this particular video as primitive.  They are using an electric blower, angle grinders, modern anvil, tongs and hammers.  Unless missing a power hammer and hydraulic press makes them primitive?  They have all the same tools as most of the shops I've seen as well as my own.  Still, its nice to see a working smithy with a team of smiths working together making tools that are still needed and used everyday by their community.  

Did you plan on leaving the anvil to sit loose on the top of your stand?  Once you fasten it down to the stand, I don't think you will have to worry about the anvil wobbling anymore.

so $300 for 70lbs average (looking) condition.  Could be junk if its been through a fire and lost its rebound don't know unless checked in person.

 General average price today is $3 to $4 per lb.  You were offered over $4.29 per lb.  That is a really good price.  You could take your chances and put it on ebay and try to get $5 per lb and then pay commission on the sale, have the hassle of crating it up and shipping it.

I pass on any anvil over $3 per lb here in NY.  $2 is my top range.  So I would offer maybe $150 for your anvil, possibly $200 is it had great rebound and I felt like spending that day.

60 - 120 years old  

depending on your floor...  you could bury the leg of the post vise to get the height you're looking for.

Back on topic,

I love the texture of your anvil.  The hand made look is very cool.

Mine is more straight line, factory made look.

Back in the day... a bunch of us used to go over the border every friday/sat.  Drinking age was lower in Canada.  Used to hit all the clubs/casino/bars/etc. Good times when you are 19.

Years later... I took the wife there for the weekend.  We got the presidential suite in the hotel attached to the Casino.  I think it was called the Hamilton or something.  Top floor, 2 floor suite.  Hottub in the master bedroom with glass roof/side wall with a view of the horseshoe falls.  2nd floor bathroom you could sit on the toilet and had a clear view through a window wall of the horseshoe falls.

Good times

9 hours ago, Baldncane said:

and wrapped in some ceramic blanket, it shot a, what I thought was impressive, blue flame out of the front of the pile.

Was that after you ridgidized it?

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/53239-ceramic-wool-insulation-safety-alert/

Broaching is also an option.