CrazyGoatLady

Nice looking vise. I wouldn't be opposed to a bigger vise either, but my 4 1/2" Indian Chief does a fine job for what I do. It even came mounted on its own table. Your smithy is getting outfitted very nicely.

I agree with Mikey. I'm happy it's coming together for you. I run a propane forge, but I have never built one. I think I will one day, along with another charcoal forge. The first one didn't work very well, but I'm a lot more knowledgeable about things than I was two years ago. I'll be so glad for you when you get it up and running

Chris, I make decorative things but I like making utilitarian, useful things better I think. Rmartin2: It came down to I felt it was the best anvil I could afford. It's cast from 4140 tool steel, heated all the way through. Nearly every review was positive. In those price ranges, I looked at TFS and JHM closely. But decided I liked the cast steel as opposed to the ductile iron. Which I'm sure works just fine. But the more I researched, I kept coming back to the Emerson. I like the look of it, and now actually seeing it in person, I like it even more. I looked at Holland, Rat Hole and Nimbas. More expensive than I could afford. I already knew Peddinghaus is out of my range, but that is still my goal. I would have gotten a heavier one, but there again, a little more than I could afford. Reading on IFI was very helpful in making the decision. There is so much feedback from smith's who have used them that I was sold on it after I felt like it was the one

It is nice to be forging when it's cold. I don't handle cold very well anymore, so it's downright comfortable to be near that heat when it's freezing.

I made the door pulls and latches for the old tractors. This one, I just bent some horseshoes into hooks that got welded into a keg dolly they were throwing out at my son's work place. We'll use the dolly to lift the tractor to help move it along.

He and my son are building a mansion of a chicken tractor. There's even been a little blacksmithery added to it. Including a piece my son hammered out. His first piece

I hear you! I feel like I just bought a new Cadillac. I can't quit admiring the hardy and pritchel hole. Opens up so many opportunities as I've had to figure out ways around not having them. When I get rich selling all the beautiful hand forged items I make on this anvil (haha) I'll buy ýou the that Refflinghaus. P.S. My neighbors aren't real close, but they already get the pleasure of all kinds of work being done around here. My husband is running a drill as we speak

We've actually had a mild summer compared to what it's usually like. We've had a lot of rain over the last year. It was the wettest winter I think I can ever remember. We haven't broken 100° yet and are expecting another cold front in a few days. We had northwest winds for three days last week. Very unusual. Hopefully, I can get my new anvil setup and get to the shop while it's fairly nice weather for Texas.

Thank you Irondragon. The edges aren't as sharp as I thought they'd be. I took sandpaper to the edges as there was a little burr on one side. But just with a little bit of sanding, they feel pretty good. I'm not going to touch it with anything else except hot steel. I'm extremely proud of it if y'all couldn't tell.

Billy Bones, thanks for information. I may seriously consider making a stand like this. I've just lightly tapped the anvil with a very small ball peen. It sounds very loud even with the light taps. Chris, you suggested I should take a picture of myself hugging it. I'll refrain from such a public display of affection, but I might camp out with it tonight I would say ýou could have my little 67 pounder, but it isn't in good shape. Poor thing. I don't spend money on myself easily. Only what I need most of the time. My awesome husband kept telling me to get it because I don't get much for myself. He dug up some extra money to offset the cost and talked me into it. I decided a long while back I wasn't handing over the kind of cash people are asking for old, beat up anvils. If I came across a good deal, I would. But I haven't come across one. Rare as hens teeth. Your day is coming for a good one

We do have a welder. We have lots of wood and there are various size stumps at my in- laws farm from a felled Katapa tree. My options are far ranging. I don't think I know anything about a sandbox set up like your talking about.

Thanks Frosty! Im trying to decide on a stand for it now. I am so thrilled right now it's not even funny I was thinking about that the other day, Das. I'll be the first smith to ever strike metal on it. I always read about the great grandchildren using Grandpas anvil. How cool is the thought of them using Grandma's anvil and she was the first to use it! I think i'l sign and date it. That's a good idea

Thanks Steve. It's a big upgrade from my 67lb. Vulcan with a broken heel and broken horn tip. Although I got my US $11.37 scrap price from it. It'll still be useful. I started with a RR track anvil. One day, there will be a Peddinghaus#12 in my smithy

I've been anxiously anticipating this since I ordered it on Friday. I did a LOT of research. So much I've been dreaming about anvils Thanks to IFI, I went into the purchase with a very informed opinion. I can get a better picture if anyone is interested, but it's in the dump cart so I could lug it to the shop. The UPS guy said he was glad I didn't order a dozen more! The shipping label said it weighs 105lbs. Maybe i got a little bonus weight? I'm tickled pink.

So happy for you, Jennifer! If I lived closer, I'd defnitely take your classes

No offense fellas, but I always say I "sweat like a man". It's incredible how much moisture can come out of a human body!

Haha, Frosty I wonder if he can play any Christmas music? "

That whole set up looks real good! I'm trying to decide if I want a wood or metal stand for mine. Have a lot of wood laying around and access to some stumps. My current anvil is on a metal stand, but it's small. I can pick up the whole thing and move it. Which means it tends to walk. I'm going to make sure the new one doesn't. Anyway, looks great

I remember seeing that one. It cleaned up real nice

I bet that was exciting! I've not attempted to forge weld yet.

That's what I was thinking! And forging in temperatures in the 90s sounds like a cold front compared to what I'm used to in a Texas summer. I've been in the shop and stepped outside and it felt nearly cool at 102° Looks like you are up and running. Stay safe and have fun!

Three or four years ago, the yard closest to us closed to the public. Then not long after, they shut down completely

I was kind of surprised to see the spikes. There were more, but I only grabbed a handful. I have a bunch already. There's a town about 15 miles west of us in which there is a railroad depot in the middle of it. There are two scrapyards right on the side of the tracks. They have literally piles of spikes, track, and track plate. And who knows what other RR related metal. I'm guessing that they have some kind of contract with the railroad, being there's so much of it available. The yard I went to today, you can scrounge through whatever you want. That's wear I found my little Vulcan. The other yard down the road, you have to wear a hard hat, but you can freely pick through stuff.

Good haul, JHCC. Went to the scrapyard today. Wasn't much there. Looks like they have hauled a lot off. Found a few bits and pieces. Including and interesting fire poker. It's forged, but the protruding part ( don't know what that's called) is welded on, not forge welded. US $3.00

Yes, ADHD. Your skillet looks very good. Hope it serves up lots of tasty food