Scott Turner Dawson Gage

Daswulf, I have thoughts of making my own tools also. I agree, I'll need to work my way up the the heavier stock. But would be really good practice making tools for myself in preparation of making things for others. I've also joined the Garage Journal forum and between this one and them I'm finding all kinds of great ideas. I'll be sure to post my progress, once I can actually get started. I really appreciate the acceptance so quickly from you and ThomasPowers. Thomas has just suggested another forum to get involved with. I'm not exactly sure where I will end up going. I'm really interested in building benches, welding tables, different kinds of vise stands and anvil bases. I have been a hobbyist scrap collector that's morphing into being just a plain old junk collector. Used to be nothing but metal items, now I'll take almost anything. It's amazing to me what people give away just so they don't have to haul it off themselves. Or just so they know it's not going into a landfill. And I make a little money with it. So I also have plans to make tools that assist with loading my truck (crane or lift of some sort), and specialized moving carts, etc. I do also want to play with making knives or hatchets, or similar items. So forging, welding, cutting. Would love to get a plasma cutter. So I have a lot of different interests and nowhere near the time to do any of it. For now, I will continue to build my shop (40 x 25 pole shed) and collect stuff. I keep almost all metal stock I get. I figure I can use it for something one day. And I look at the internet on my breaks, and when it's dark outside and I'm too tired to be out there working anymore... Thank you both again!

Nothing yet. Building my shop and collecting tools at this point. I've built a couple of basic charcoal forges that work well enough for heating metal, but not to where I would say I'm "smithing".

I'm finding a good bit of info for this. The seller said my plate came from England. I'm learning a lot very quickly with your help. I figured I wouldn't be able to beat on this thing like an anvil, it would break in half in a short amount of blows, potentially. And I also think tin versus silver. This thing I would think is way to large for any kind of silversmithing. I will keep my eyes open for the stakes (I believe they are called that) now that I know what I'm looking at. This is going to fun to get to know this thing and figure out how I can use it.

Thomas, thank you for replying and the info. Much appreciated. I didn't have a clue where to even start. I am in South Carolina. I will do some digging on the info you gave me. Thank you again, Scott

So who know's anything about this beast. Was told it was from England...no way to confirm. No names, patents, numbers, etc... 5 feet 8 inches long. 12 inches wide. 3 inches tall 4 hardy holes that are different sizes from each other. Smallest just under 1-1/2 inches, largest around 2 inches. All 4 taper as they descend. Weight = heavy...I'm guessing more than 250 lbs.