Bull Bison

No typo there, I've got 1-2" of refractory on top of my ceramic wool. Unfortunately I don't have anything to compare it to, as this is my first forge and my first forge to work on. I put about 4-5 hrs on it Saturday and it seemed to work just fine. Again, I just don't have a good point of reference.

Thanks, I'm sure your right on it being too long. The more research I keep doing, albeit a little late, the more it's becoming apparent that is probably the situation. I wonder if I could cast a removable "plug" out of Mizzou to take up some cu in. In my previous life I would hit BBQ cook offs and ended up building a rather big trailer smoker. The fellers on the BBQ forums had, through years of trial and error, created a formula that would kick out the size of your firebox, air intake, exhaust flue, etc. based off the size of cooking area you needed. I'm sure a similar formula could be created, or probably already has been and I just haven't ran across it yet, for these forges based on the size / cu inches you need.

Got my forge completed finally. Over the last two nights been slowly bringing it up to temp. First night let it run at low temp for about ten minutes, last night for roughly thirty minutes at half mass. Gonna crank it up a little more tonight over some drinks. No cracks yet, holding up well. Made out of an thirteen gallon compressor tank, 12" OD and 24" long. Lined with 2" of Kao Wool and 1-2" of Mizzou. I figure I'm setting at about 500 cu in. Ribbon burner is 9" x 3" with twenty five ~1/4" orifices (I used drinking straws). I cast it using Mizzou which seems like a good robust product. Had it running at 1 PSI last night which seemed like I could potentially drop it a little more once up to temp (forging temp not welding temp). We'll see, I'm still learning, fun times.

Thank you all for the welcomes! I've got a pretty decent shop with a pretty large amount of tools and equipment and a hobby of mine is collecting old tools so I'm off to a real good start in that regard. And can see myself welding up hardy's as I need them. There is always a scrap metal pile and welder ready to go at moments notice. I'm getting close to finishing my Ribbon Burner forge (at the risk of this thread getting off topic, I've attached pictures below), that is my first hurdle at the moment. I could pull out the torch, weed burner or get the fire pit going to get some metal hot, but that would only distract me from getting the forge completed. Just need to get the refractory placed and some plumbing done and it should be good to go. Thanks for pointing out the medium carbon items, this is something I'll need to educate myself on. Point taken on the "fixing" the Anvil. Don't plan on grinding on it to make it "better", I'll let the hot iron do the work for me. I put a wire wheel to it and hosed it down with some cowboy cologne (WD-40). I'll check out Balcones Forge. I'm planning on taking a couple classes in a few weeks and in the wee hours when I can't sleep, I'm on youtube trying to learn what I can. Not having much knowledge in the subject though, it can be difficult to weed through some of the "experts" out there. Thanks for the tips. David

Hello All, Newbie here (first post) I've been welding (not professionally) most of my life and I have some machining experience. In my late teens, early twenty's (I'm 49 yrs old now), I built a few knifes out of files and old leaf springs, but using my dad oxy-acetylene rig to do so didn't last long for obvious reasons. I love working with metal. This being said, while I have years of experience working with metal, I have no blacksmith experience. I am ignorant, but am trying to learn as much as I can. I am currently gathering tools and equipment so I can start working metal. Last weekend I purchased an Anvil from a guy near Houston Texas. He stated that had acquired the anvil in Ohio. He thought the anvil was a older Rigid, which at the time, I was somewhat excited because I've heard rigid anvils are great, and with some extra money in my pocket, no time to research, and a belly full of margarita's, the anvil was mine. Back to Austin i went. After hours of research, I now believe the anvil to be a Badger. I have seen a few identical anvils on the wwwdot, one however was a Vulcan (It had a Vulcan makers mark on it), the others I saw I had to take the original posters word for it as there are no makers marks on Badger anvils that I have seen. Also it would make sense that the Vulcan looked identical to the others (Badgers) as I understand that the company that produced the Vulcan's at one point purchased the company producing the Badgers. Here is what I have found so far concerning my purchase and would like others opinion's and or verification on my attempt at identification. Thoughts on the time frame of manufacturing would be appreciated as well. Weight: 127.9 lbs Height: ~10" Overall Width: ~19.5" Face: 4" x 12" 3/4" Hardy 1/2" Pritchel Bottom is flat Two Handling Holes, one under horn, one under heel Cast Iron with HC Steel plate approximately 3/16" thick on face including horn Swell beneath the hardy Cut out in foot beneath heel Only identifying mark is a the proud number "12" cast under the horn Rebound: 75% - 80% Price: $5.40/lb (I know, take it easy on me) Again, not asking if this is a good or horrible anvil. I know it's probably a decent beginners anvil and it is not top of the line and I probably could have done better elsewhere. That ship has sailed. Once I get some hot metal on it and get the hammer going, that will be the true test. I am just trying to confirm that this is a Badger and would like to know approximate age if possible, I'm just curious. Thanks in advance, David IMG_7628.mov