BenRufenacht

Well, there are many options there. 5608 would be am early anvil from 1899, 56081 would be 1905, and 156081 would be 1917. Post some pictures to give some more clues.

There is a lot of info about Trenton in Anvils in America. I would find a copy of the book if you want to learn more. You got a steal of a deal on that anvil.

202430-210375 is 1941-43

I would appreciate visual aid. Thanks for all of the additional info. At least I will have a better idea of what to do for my second forge.

What do you mean by baffles? Like refractory bricks partially blocking the opening? Do you have photos?

Is there anything else I can coat the ceramic blanket in the doors with that will hold up better? I have some satinite like stuff that came with the forge? Can I just coat the blanket with Plistix, or will that fail as well?

I coated the inside of my forge and forge doors with Kast-o-lite. The inside seems to be good, but the doors are crumbling. The photos are just after I fired up the forge to full heat. Should I just chip out the Kast-o-lite from the doors and just use a coat of Plistix? I am at a loss on what to do with the doors.

Ok, I have soaked my ceramic fiber with the rigidizer. I am letting it dry overnight. Do I need to take a torch to it before I apply the Kast-o-lite?

So I am hearing a thick layer of kast o lite with the plistix is all I need for a floor? That simplifies things.

Noted. It makes sense to coat all of the fibers to stiffen the blanket.

I am looking to buy a Devil's Forge DFHS2 + 2D 5.2" forge. I know I could build one, but for the price of these things, it doesn't seem to be worth it. I want to get this thing set up properly, so I don't plan on using whatever powdered rigidizer they include with the forge, and buying some supplies here. From reading through the many, many posts, I have gathered that I should first apply a coat of Rigidizer to the wool insulation, then put on a layer of Kast-O-Lite 30 (I know this will be tricky with the two doors), then a coat of Plistix. Is this the correct procedure? I have also gathered that the included fire bricks will not make a good floor? Should I find a kiln shelf, or just use the Kast-o-lite as the floor? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hey folks. I am new here, and new to blacksmithing. I just picked up my first anvil. It is a 200lb Trenton with serial no 178910. Can someone with AIA please tell me the year of manufacture?