BoardMoreThanUsual

Cool, Ill mark that on the calendar, hopefully by then ill have something up and running. Just got back from Depot with the 4x4s and all thread. I checked a quick google maps and its about hour and a half from me.

Thanks guys, I am in Lower Bucks Exit 315 on the PA Turnpike Thanks i will look into it much appreciated

Hello All, I came across this forum when i got an anvil, from the mrs family home in NYC, it was her fathers and wanted to learn about the anvil itself and how to properly clean it up. this post here : After getting the information i was looking for it was suggested that i could start this as a hobby i if wanted. So after watching 100s of YouTube videos, i have decided to give it a go. I am 52 yrs old, carpenter by trade and live in the Philly suburbs. I googled blacksmithing classes nothing came up within an hours drive so ill keep looking for that. I have a garage and a yard and 8x10 stick framed shed any of which i can eventually convert into a suitable work space if i decide i enjoy, can do, or any combination of blacksmithing. I have some hand tools i can use to start out with that wont be ideal but will be suitable to give it a go. I will be making an anvil stand out of lumber, that wont be a problem. When it comes to forges, i have seen the box of dirt, charcoal grill conversion, a bolt together DIY gas forge and the amazon gas forge. All these options at least for me will cost nearly the same amount to make and or purchase. (75-125 bucks). i am leaning towards just buying the on line one just for ease of build and worse case resale or gifting it to someone if i dont enjoy/cant do this. If there are any must read posts or videos i should watch i would appreciate the links. If anyone started out like me and have dos and donts that would also be appreciated. i dont plan on making this a business or a side business or anything like that unless of course i turn out to be amazing at it (sarcasm). Well i guess thats all for now, ill go back to my videos and brows the forum. Thanks in advance, hope to get to know more about this trade and the people in it.

Nice to know. I am a carpenter by trade so wood builds are more my comfort zone. Have to come up with a good plan been looking at what many others have done probably just going with something simple for now. Then have to decide where I want to do all the work and set that all up first. Dont want to just rush into it. 2x12 or 4x 6 it's all up in the air, I'll pick one and get started for sure.

I am leaning towards something simple for the moment. I dont have a welding set up, so that for now is out of the question. If i can find a suitable stump locally or ill just make one out of some lumber for now, just something to see if i actually enjoy it. Everything looks fun and simple when watching a professional do things, sometimes when i try it i end up with at least a broken ego and worse broken bones. a couple of 4x6 some glue lag bolts wood dowels some clamps, thats something i can do in short order and cheaply just to get started with in a few weeks.

Ok , all done on this anvil post all rubbed down. Anvil stand next and I'll post pics of that in the appropriate section

Thanks Again All, I have been watching videos for the past 3 days. I think Ill give it a shot. I still have to make a stand and such before i get started, but i WILL get started. That being said is it still ok for the BLO to be put on the anvil at this point, obviously i wont be making anything crazy at first just dont want the oil or the like to contaminate the work if thats such a thing. Thanks for the encouragement, and the little push. BTW The Anvil weighs Appox. 130-135 lbs, with me holding it on a bathroom scale for those still courious.

I want to thank you all for your input, research and time, the maker was more of a curiosity than anything else. I will proceed with cleaning up the last bit of surface rust around the holes then just oil it up. Once I come up with a stand I will definitely post a picture or two in this thread. Unfortunately I personally will not be using it, I have never smithed before and atm dont have the means to purchase all the proper equipment. Then learn what to do. Maybe in the near future, who knows, finding a new hobby could be fun. Thanks again all, I will continue to follow this thread incase anyone comes across some information. Regards, John After typing this and reading a response that it could be American Avil, I googled it and came up with this post, we may have a winner. American anvil ID I think I'll take this as a win unless someone comes up with a better answer. Thanks again

Just went down and did as instructed, no difference, no other marks were noticeable. It's not a big deal as I said I'm not selling it just trying to save it from the scrap yard. I'll finish up getting any rusts out of the books and crannies this weekend and oil it up and work on figuring out a base.

I thought similarly that those marks were made by the end user, either putting his name in or testing his chisels. I'll check again with the light coming from the side no flash and no other light on in the garage. Sorry for my poor photography skills. I'll check both sides but I am assuming the side with the weight stamp should be the side with any makers mark

I dont think this is any better but he is what I came up with.

I can try powder or the like for sure. I'll try and take different pics and post here before "oiling"

Thank you, Looks like rubbing it down is the next step. I'll figure out a stand next, He just had it on a log with bent over nails holding it in place. Maybe I ll try and figure out how to incorporate that into the stand.

Thanks I have BLO ready to go, the working surface is really pitted , just leave as is? Any idea of the make of the anvil?

Hi, Hope this is the right place. I am writing to try and figure out what I have and what would be the best way to preserve/restore this anvil. This anvil belonged to my old lady's father and i want to do it Justice (if possible) by cleaning it up and identifying it. He was an artist in NYC back in the day and from my understanding he used it to make carving chisels and various tools for his sculpture. The mrs remebers cranking his forge by hand when she was 6 or 7 yrs old ( 60ish years ago shhhh). I cleaned the paint off it and soaked in vinegar then rinsed with water. Have a wire brush in the angle grinder for the surface rust. That's as far as I have gotten and am comfortable doing with out further suggestions. I will attach a few photos of the progress so far. I am not looking to sell this or make a profit more of a family keepsake. Thanks in advance for any and all comments.