JW513

You make the best videos out there and thats saying something because there is competition.

Make sure you take pics, like stated with a tape measure to show the depth... Also put caution tape over the sand, then finish backfilling. They make a detectable kind tape.. Inspectors notice little things that that.  Also make sure you call dig safe... Maybe you have, but i haven't read the whole thread... I'm in Mass also, I own a construction company and i'm good friends with a few inspectors, one of them being an electrical inspector... If you ever have any questions  feel free too pm me 

Documenting everything is very important, we take pictures of everything we do, before and after and everything in between.

On 12/18/2020 at 3:59 PM, Stash said:

Show us the post vise too. Seized up is generally just a matter of penetrating oil( ATF and acetone is best), time and gentle encouragement ( heat and/or beat).

Steve

Will do, it’s all there, just seized up. He said he had another one but doesn’t know where it went. But who care I got a Hay Budden, Mandrel and Vanderman #3 Vise. 
 

what sucks is he’s the best welder/ fabricator around. My dads known him for 30 years and me and him only got close the last two years. I should have learned all I could about welding from him. I work with my dad and brother in construction but I want to get into blacksmithing/welding as a career. We do structural work which I love but I’d like to do ornamental work too.

My friend who’s a welder is moving to Florida. I got his 300lbs+ Hay Budden, 4 foot cone.  But the last one was the vise. One day 6 months ago I went over to his shop and talk about it. But he had someone’s named painted on it. I’ve mentioned it to him in the past, if Scotty doesn’t get it I’ll buy it. Well next week he’s moving. We went to his shop this morning, talked for 20 minutes, I left but then walked back in and asked if the guy was still coming for the vise. He said nope, and 30 seconds later it was on my truck. He owes me money for some labor, so I don’t have to pay anything out of pocket. I’ve dreamed about this vise, I’m not embarrassed to say that.
 

A Vanderman #3

it means a lot to me too because he’s a great friend and I’m honored to have his anvil, vise, and mandrel. I also got A seized up post vise from him and tons of old tongs.

I bought an official  Hofi Hammer this week. The forged, not cast one. I’m still an amateur, but I always wanted to try one and he’s getting up there in age. Also they seem to hold their value. It’s beautiful,. But my one complaint, is the face isn’t really dressed. Now I now that blacksmiths prefer to dress their own hammer faces to suit their own needs but I was looking forward to getting one professionally dressed. Mainly because I now would have a standard of a properly dressed crosspein hammer. Now the edges aren’t too sharp so maybe this is how a Hofi hammer is supposed to be. Just wondering if this is how Hofi the hammers are supposed to be. Thanks

George Washington may of been alive when this anvil was made...... I think my great great great great grandkids could be using this. That’s how old it is.

Thanks for all the insight everyone. I’m honored to have this anvil. I’d like to get to a point talent wise, where I could use this for demos like ThomasPowers stated. All part of my long term plan.

Here are pics. I just noticed on right side of anvil with 5th foot facing you, something has been done to it. It looks proportionate so I don’t think there was a horn but it has worked on at some point. Other than that it looks great. 

Anyone care to guess how old it is?

About as big as my clumsy fingers while typing on my phone in the truck.

I got the anvil. I’m very excited, pics to come in morning. I’m personally impressed with the shape it’s in for its age. I won’t use it too much, but it will be used with love.

I’m going to pick it up after work. Now I gotta get my river forge fixed and I’ll be ready for outdoor forging. I was going to buy one of those blue 66lbs anvils foe 115. This is way cooler and better investment.

I’ve always wanted one from this era. He wants $250 and it’s 80lbs. It looks to be in good shape and I want a smaller anvil for outdoor use. I live in Boston area if that helps.

The  whole sword thing bugs me a little, but I would love to learn bladesmithing someday... I respect both arts equally, most people are uneducated about things like these. 

Now the whole "you should learn to shoe horse" thing, that bugs me probably like the topic creator. People don't understand the knowledge that farriers have.... I don't either but I know enough to know that I don't have the knowledge and haven't been around horses enough to even think about doing it.

On 6/1/2020 at 5:01 PM, Frosty said:

Long hair, loose clothing dangly jewelry and rotating machinery are NOT YOUR FRIENDS!

So true,  first thing i do when i get a work sweatshirt is rip that string out for the hood... That would get caught in a skillsaw or grinder or table saw pretty easily.. I shave every day, both head and face so hair isn't a problem... But I hate seeing people not that safety serious on job sites.

Now for on topic, another great video... I have access to all the rebar I want, but i've only used it once forging. 

Great video, Yes please post more, you are my favorite smith on youtube... Although there are quite a few other very good ones to be fair.

Those are amazing! 

way better than anything ive done, Ive got about 60 hours forging time.

Thanks for all the input, hopefully tomorrow i can light the forge up and try to make a nice small taper.. 

Long story short, I’ve taken some classes off and on past two years,  6 months ago I got my forge Semi set up, I’ve mainly just messed around. My welder friend has job where he might need 150 pickets made with just a slight short taper. It’s easy but I’ve never made something that has to meet a criteria. I told him I will try making a few.  I’m still new but this is simple. I feel it would be a great learning experience. They don’t have to be perfect but they have to be nice. Here is a sample of what he wants. Any insight on how to keep things similar would be great.  Thanks

Motor blew on my Champion blower....

But I brought my new anvil and Mandrel cone there, dressed up the faces on my hammers and called it a day.

^That is very true.. When you know little about the process, you start to see WHY the smith is doing what he/she is doing..

Can't wait to watch this video.

^Thank you. I will get a picture tomorrow.. We will use our Bobcat to unload it, and get a picture then. Its real heavy, the Peter Wright, I can pick it up off its stand... This one, I can swivel it, but that is it. I couldn't not buy it, it was owned by a very good friend, its in great shape, and its very heavy. It really does mean a lot to own something like this from someone who's inspired me when it comes to metal.

I did find a mark, under the horn that says 1... From what I read, that could be an inspectors mark?

.

^ you are right about that, but they where rude about it... But that is besides the point.

Anyways, I think the anvil would break the scale. Yes, a two men grunt to lift is heavy. This welder is one of the strongest men i've ever met, he said he used to pick it up himself when he was younger.  I'm also pretty strong, between my exercising and working construction.

^ I did look quickly this morning but didn't see anything.. I will  try and get a pic of underneath the base today or tomorrow. 

Got an anvil from very good welder friend (who started as a blacksmith 40 years ago).... I also got a post vice and a 4ft tall Mandrel.. I also got that nice oak stand behind the anvil..

A few people on facebook group said Hay Buddens, but then they also said the anvil looked like it was only 150lbs, when I said it must be around 300lbs... So I don't value their opinion... Like I do with the fine people here.  Its 34inches long,  and 13.5 inches high...  Me and him picked it up and put it in the truck, but it was way heavier than my 221lbs Peter Wright my uncle gave me.

We never decided on a price, but I'm thinking $1500 for everything.. It's in great shape. I felt sad, pulling away from his shop with it... He's retiring and moving to Florida... Even though i'm buying them, it still felt like he is passing the torch on to me.. (there must be a blacksmithing pun in there somewhere)....