shoelessjoek

Brooklyn to Buffalo would be like Denali to Seward. Easy drive, just long.

Thanks Frosty! I did a little digging online and found out that Buffalo has a chapter of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths organization. I reached out to them and got some info. I am planning on going to their July 9th meeting. 

Thanks again!

Joe

I'm new to blacksmithing and I'm learning as I go. I was wondering if there are any blacksmiths in the Buffalo, NY area that would be interested in meeting up. I see a lot of people interested in obtaining anvils on craigslist, but I don't know if that means they are into it, or if they are just into "antiques" and flipping craigslist items. I have a small, charcoal forge that I made in my backyard and a nice little anvil I've been using. What I need now is some like-minded people to talk to about this wonderful new hobby and get some tips for being a better blacksmith.

Joe

I know this is an old topic, but I was reading it and have some input for those reading it also!

A great place to find old files/tools are Estate Sales. If they have files, they tend to sell them for $1-$2 a piece (Sundays are typically half-off too) I just got into the whole blacksmith game and got 3 very nice/barely used hammers, 6 files and a couple rasps for under $15. They are just trying to get rid of everything at estate sales and usually don't know what they are selling.

Happy Hunting!

Would a wire brush attachment on my cordless drill work? Should I use a fine or coarse brush? Thanks so much for all the help guys. The community here is amazing!

I'll do some more cleaning tomorrow. I really appreciate all the help today! I can't wait to get started! 

I'm very new to this stuff, is this a forged steel anvil? It doesn't appear to have a face plate. 

I intend to do just that! I'm researching how to build a small (portable) forge for my backyard. I need to be able to move it into my shed when not in use. Thank  you so much for that information!

That's the craziest thing I've heard in a while. All it cost me was an hour of hard labor and tetanus shot!

I have no intentions of selling it. Just curious to learn more about it's history. I believe it was used at the PS&N rail station in Angelica, NY in the early 1900s.

It looked worse before I started cleaning it up. I'm new to this whole thing and wasn't sure what was going on with it. 

It's only had a quick brushing so far with a little oil. 

Measurements are:

10.5 in tall 

22 3/4 in long

3 5/8 in wide at top

Base is 9 x 7 3/4 inches

Thanks for the help!

I recently became interested in all this stuff and came across an anvil. It looks like a Hay Budden 125 pounds. It's fairly beat up. I dug it out of an old garage/workshop like I was on "American Pickers". It looks like the serial number is 19685. Could someone help me with the age of this thing and offer any tips for cleaning it up? I started using a wire brush on it but that's about it. I just got the thing home and I'm super excited. 

Any help would be amazing!

Joe