JackG

Thanks. I never considered a belt made from leather.

Here is a close-up to the Wheel belt grove With measurements:

Just picked up a small handheld bellow for $180. Not intending to use it, just thought it would be a neat piece to hang on my future shop wall. It is in good shape but needs a new rubber belt. It currently has a shoestring for a pulley drive belt. Does anyone know if an auto parts store would carry a rubber belt for this size? If not, is it possible to custom cut and reattach rubber to size?

I hope to use my post leg vise as part of a striking anvil stand. Here is a good video on what I am consider on making:

I was buying a coal forge from the guy a few weeks ago when he asked if I was interested in a 4.5" leg vise for $100 - which I said yes. I bought another 5" leg post vise a month ago for $175. While it only has a 1/2" wider jaw, it must weigh 1/3 more. I would say the price depends on availability, price, condition and the size of the jaw. Here are my two leg post vises I bought. The one on the left is the larger one. It is in nicer condition but the other one functions just fine.

Thanks guys - yes, it was a great find, even if it is not practical to use a full-time working coal forge. I think the blower might needs some cleaning up and there seems to be some repairs done on the small wheel but other than that, it looks to be in good shape. I'm shocked the coal pan survived all these years. Surprisingly, its looks to be in good shape. I am guessing it was barely used. The hand crank has a 2-speed option. There are two gears behind the selector, one is small and other is larger depending on how much air you want the blower to push through. You just simply switch the handle. I the grinder wheel comes off and unit can be used as a vise. It looks barley used, same with the anvil.

I couldn't resist and bought a vintage Champion Forge and Blower. I don't think I will be using it for forging but for $800.00, it was a nice piece of history to add to my future shop decor. I am guessing it is early 1900's. It has a grinder wheel, anvil, blower and forge pan. See pics.

Thank you - that is good to know.

Thank you for explaining that in detail. I will definitely take your advice when forging indoor and outdoors. My plan is to put my coal forge outside of my future shop under an covering. I have already considered some type of hood/chimney with duct work. I make sure it is 12" in diameter. As for the inside, my plan is to have a gas forge with CO2 detectors throughout the shop.

I would have never guessed. I thought Coal forges burned hotter than propane forges.

I would have thought Vevor anvils were made in China. They are advertising there 132# anvil for $198. I few weeks ago, I consider buying one just for the the purpose of it being a striking anvil. I don't think you could buy 132# of raw high carbon steel for that low of price.

After watching this video below on a cheap new modern anvil, I can now see why people would pay more for an older beat up anvil. Can trust these cheap Chinese brands.

Living in England while I was in the military many years ago, I personally found an appreciation for vintage and older antiques. For myself, I prefer old over new unless a modern version is much more functional. I probably overpaid for my 1966 Bronco but no way would I overpay for a newer Bronco, so I see your point. I do believe there is a market for some of the more rarer anvil or blacksmithing items and I would be one of those who overpay for it but I also believe the lesser and more beat up anvil will just sit of the market because those who are just starting off will most likely buy something new or cheaper.

The guy I bought it from what to sell Kohlswa to put towards his double horned 460 lb RatHole anvil. I was a beautiful anvil. He had my Kohlswa for two years and was afraid to hit steel on it as the face look nearly perfect. He bought the Kohlswa from an old guy who never blacksmith but liked to collect Anvils. He had Kohlswa for 30+ years and never used it. On eBay prices seem pretty high for anvil but I am not seeing them sell. The same with FB marketplace; while they seem to be more reasonably priced, they are not moving. I looked at a website in Europe and prices are about 1 Euro to 1/2 kilogram (1 pound) per weight of steel. Yep, a nice 200 # anvil in Europe can almost be had for $200. Then, while surfing the web for anvils, I saw a new 132 # Vevor anvil going for $198. I understand Vevor are not the best anvils but still, how can one justify $5-$10 per lbs for an old beat up anvil is the US?

Thank you guys, I must admit I am having fun finding these treasures. While I enjoy collecting interesting things, I do want to learn the trade. At this point, I'm without a shop but I am in the process of getting a small loan and lining up some contractors. I am hoping to start my foundation by this coming Summer. Just waiting for the interest rates to hit 5% which I see happening very soon. Also, thanks for the tips on dampen the ring. Yes, the Kolhswa has a very high pitch sound. It's not a bad sound but I can imagine the harm it can do to your hearing after hours of hitting it.

Yes, there is a spout on each end. I bought the piece near the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL so it could have been as you said, used to inspect parts such as weapons. The farmer used it as a welding table and I will do the same.

I found this welding table a few weeks ago for $325.00. The farmer said his welder was going have a fit when he learned he sold it. Not sure if he was serious but I thought is was unique so I picked it up. It has cooling fins and a spout. Just curious what they were for. The label says, "Rochester Ordnance District - Property of the US government". The last picture was before I cleaned it up and repainted.

I love to start right away and although I have some nice equipment to start, I don't have place to forge as of yet, meaning my 3 stall garage is occupied by cars. I made a deal with the wife and she agreed that I can build a shop this year. I am planning on buying a small propane forge next month and this should allow me to do some practice work with the hammer and tongs. Thanks for the tip on the steel.

Thank you for the tips and suggestion, especially on the drops/cutoffs. I never knew Zinc, galvanized metal or Chrome can be dangerous to inhale. I have lots to learn before I get started.

I noticed some people wrap chains around their anvils. Does this damper the high pitch ring? Also, thank you for the suggestion of the book and play-doh.

Thank you Neil. Yes, I just joined a blacksmith group (alaforge.org) in my area. I'll check with an auto wrecker I know down the street from me.

I have been looking on FB marketplace for scrap metal but there doesn't seem to be much. My next option is to visit my local metal scrap yard. Does anyone have a list of scrap metal you want to collect or buy at a scrap yard, junk yard, recycling center or old farmstead? I understand leaf springs of an old truck are great for blacksmithing. Also, when you are buying scrap metal, is there a good rule on how much something is worth? I don't mind over paying for something nice but for scrap metal, I would be hoping to find a good deal.

Does your hurricane-resistant lean-to have roof overhead? I can's image how hot it would get in the summer if it inside a shop in Florida. I grew up in Tampa and not sure if I could forge during the summer time there. Even in N. Alabama it gets pretty hot and humid here during the summer months. I'll probably use a small propane forge inside the shop during the summer months.

Hey Billy, thanks for the post. I added my location to my profile and a little about me. Also, thanks for the tip on the "read this first", which I neglected to do. I have added another post on the Solid fuel forge. I got a second antique forge that I just won on eBay. I am hoping it arrives within a week. It is probably useless for true forging but I wanted it to add some charm to my shop I will be building this summer. Yes I did. It was had 3 stars due to it being too heavy to move.

I posted a similar topic on the Anvil site with a pic of my first anvil. I am new to blacksmithing and started to buy a few starter items last month (old leg press, used coal forge, used welding table and some new hammers, gloves and tongs). I don't know much about coal forges but this one was listed on Facebook marketplace just an hour away. I paid $800 for it. The guy threw in some some tongs and two large bags of coke coal. I will be building my shop this summer and wondering if this would be suited outside under an overhang or building a hood/chimney for it inside the shop. Here is a picture of my forge. It is very heavy/solid and the blower really works good.