john_zxz

Here'e my new forge that I built today from scratch, and by scratch I really mean it. I welded many 1/4" plates to make the floor and many sheet for the walls. Took me more time than I thought... Anyways, I'll fire this new baby probably tomorrow. It should works well because it has the same dimensions as before with my brick forge.

Usually when the forging session is about to finish, I get a smaller fire for small jobs and then I let it burn down to itself. I start big and finish small with charcoal fire. I tried to water it down one day and whooff!! there was so much steam and ashes in the air that I never did that again lol. I hope someone has another way to stop the fire so I can learn something too.

After some cleanup around the letters, I found that it is stamped SB after 4 1/2 CWT. Anyone know what SB means? It's stamped JB under that.

Yes I'm very well pleased and yes the anvil stake came with it.

I finaly bought the anvil. Got it for 800$ CAD. It's marked 4 1/2 cwt with 88 or 8B I can't read. JB England under the weight. If someone reads better than me, I'd be happy to know the real weight. The guy said that they weighted the anvil and it said 580 with the metal stand. So I guess 560 would be the right weight... Overall the condition is pretty good. More damaged that I tought but not too much for me. It seems like they used a cutting torch to cut pieces on the anvil... In the hardy hole I can see a drop of melted metal. The face is perfectly level. It rings like a bell! I'll have to put some rubber under the feets and bolt it tight to the stump to quiet it down. It came with these 2 tools.

Yea I planned to put a plywood board under the anvil in the minivan and I have some anchor points so I will strap it down to secure it the best I could. Thanks for the advice. I can't wait 2 more weeks to get this beauty... its torture lol.

Nice, I have a friend with a hoist. I'll borrow his.

It's official I'm gonna buy this 580 pounds anvil in 2 weeks. The only thing I'm worried is how the heck am I gonna lift this monster? Anybody has an idea? I never tried an engine hoist. Can it works? I need to lift the anvil high enough to put it in a minivan.

I'm waiting for the owner's answer about the price and I asked her if there are any marking on the side. As soon as I get the answer I'll drive the distance to get this beauty! I'm pretty sure it's a Brooks too because of the small pritchel hole placement and overall shape.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/oj7os

Ok so maybe the weigh is not right. I should ask for the height too. Oh and I forgot to put a picture.

Hi! I receive an email today from someone who wants to sell me a 580 lbs anvil. Its in decent condition but since it is 3 hours drive from my shop, I can't see the real weight. The dimensions are 36" long and 6" for the table. I don't know the height. Does the weight seems right for the dimensions? Thanks

That's funny because I have two 100lbs anvils that I'm using the same way for woodworking. It works really nice.

I think it is just a simple chimney. It was very dark under the hood and I couldn't tell for sure. I don't know if there were any steam hammer because the only tool that stayed there was the forge itself and some rusted bolts in a buckets... Not even a pair of tongs. I didn't ask as the guide knew the basic story of the shop but nothing precise on the work they did. The pipes on the front must be for the steam, there was a lot of them everywhere in every building. Yea the geology must be very similir. I went at the mine during a visit organized by the mineral museum of Thetford. There was a lot of gates to open... This is not for people alone who wants to walk in the mines. Very strict here too.

Here are 2 pic I took from a forge in an old abandonned forge in Thetford Mine (Quebec, Canada). It was used to repair the tools of the asbestos miners. The blacksmith there was living in the shop. There was his quarter in the next room. He has the highest salary after the big boss and the overseer. This forge is huge. I think there is 2 firepot but not sure because there was coal dust everywhere flush to the top. I'm sure there wasn't any smoke in the shop with this design. There is also a lot of space to move the pieces, the hood doesn't obstruct the view. The chimney is big enough and there is also a door on the left side and the right side of the forge for long pieces. Ahh too bad this mine is abandonned. If only there were people reenacting this forge, it would have been great. In the next room, it was the main shop where welders repaired things and where the miners recharged their batteries. Just wanted to shared these photos of the shop with you. What do yo think of the forge design guys, do you think like me that there was no smoke or am I wrong?

Yep, you should smooth the face and the edges too so when you will hit the hot metal, you won't leave sharp dents on your work. The grooves your are talking must be very small circular line on the face i guess? Mine also had these grooves but I sanded them down. If you don't do this, you will have the impression that you have many digital prints on your work...

@Knots I own a 50kgs czech anvil from branco (purchased from a Canadian dealer) and it is great quality IMHO. I missed some blows with a hardened hammer and it did not dent. Nice rebound too. I put it in concrete like the photo at the beginning of the topic because it rang like a chuch bell. Even though it has loosen up with time and I had to put a magnet on the side. The curves in the legs are very handy, they act as a swage and the radius in the front is to prevent chipping from sledge hammering. I did some hardy tools in the hardy hole and it did not break. So far I'm very satisfied with it. Btw, the anvil in the picture, Poundhound, is beautiful. The heel is thinner than nowadays east european anvils and the feets have more graceful lines. Thanks for posting.

I must agree with you Beth, it is still usable. And the more I look at it, the added parts could be used as tools as well if we're imaginative :)

Just found this anvil while surfing the net. Funny anvil art but too bad it is not used anymore to pound hot iron... http://espace.canoe.ca/ChroniquElyses/photo/view/716521/#picture

Sask Mark, yes the blocks are in Quebec, 45 minutes from Montreal. Here's the link of the ad: http://montreal.kiji...QAdIdZ379455052 There are other tools too. The block in the back is on anvilfire too here: Link removed at the request of that sites owner. It looks like a monster block!

Sure I would like to see a picture of your block Eric.

This is a really great project. I think you could keep almost the same forms around the block as your other blocks but with some holes in the middle for the reasons you have listed. With square and round holes of commons sizes. There is an industrial block from alku store: http://www.euroforgings.com/shop4.php?pageNo=1&id=4584 In my opinion, there is a little too much holes in it but if you're planning to make a 60-70 lbs, it will be better. The one they're listing weights 176 lbs and come from Czeck Republic if I'm correct. Just my two cents. If you make a block like this, I will certainly buy one.

I intend to use a block for upsetting, making a lot of hardy tools, making bowls etc... I'm currently waiting for a price from John Newman for his trunnion 140lbs swage. I like its shape especially for the small half round on the sides and the bowl depressions. I just wanted to know what is a good price for a used swage. The swage block in the picture has less utility then Newman's one for me but it's 15 minutes from me...

Sorry its a A.B Jardine, typing error...

Hi, I was offered a swage block 12x12x4.5" for 600$ CND. This is the 1st one, down in the picture and it looks like its a J.B Jardine. I wanted to know if its a high price or usual for that piece. I need to make my mind fast on this. Thanks John_zXz