BlackSmithBear

Wow...I had no idea...wonder if Mr Postman knows how valuable his book is? http://cgi.ebay.com/Anvils-America-Signed-First-Edition-First-Printing-/320543986550?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa1e91376#ht_500wt_1011

Good looking PW, very low starting price! http://cgi.ebay.com/EXCELLENT-PETER-WRIGHT-ANVIL-201-POUND-BLACKSMITH-TOOL_W0QQitemZ120578785310QQcategoryZ13869QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D20%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8045589822361353098#ht_500wt_1154

The local scrapyard owner was at my work to discuss a project that will involve him pulling out about 400 feet of railway track. When I told him I was a blacksmith, and asked if I could check out his yard, he said sure, look around and help yourself! When I went there yesterday I noticed a fair size pile of what I recognized as rifle barrels, in different degrees of completeness. I asked where they came from, already knowing the answer, as I had worked for Green Mountain Rifle Barrels in Conway, NH. I was told I could have anything that was not already drilled and rifled. Got some great drops in 3/4 to 1 1/4 dia, 18 to 24 inches long, all 4140! FREE! Also got a 1 ton chain fall that came out of the now defunct paper mill, only thing is, since I don't have a 20 foot ceiling in my shop, I have to shorten the pull chain just a bit...

I just cleaned up my recently acquired 278 Lb PW, using a wire cup brush. After that I rubbed some hydraulic oil on it. It looks like I had painted it black...amazing how the wrought iron reacts that way. So when your shoe polish wears off, lightly use a wire cup brush on it and oil her up...the oiling seems to last a long time, especially since I give my anvils a wipe down with an oily rag after a forging session.

Do the earplugs help you? I have had tinnitis for a long time, even wearing ear protectors at work it didn't seem to make a difference as far as the tinnitis went.

Monstermetal, you going to convert it to run on air?

When I cleaned and put new ball bearings in my 400, after installing the bearing retainer cone and nut, I cut a piece of inner tube to fit snug over the shaft, packed the bearings with grease, and it seems to not leak oil as quickly. The design is basically a "constant loss" one, and not meant to hold the oil in. It seems the bearings I used are a bit too small (rattles a bit), so I'll be taking it apart to put the right size in, and will post pics. To clarify a bit, the rubber "gasket" I made fits inside the screw in metal cover with hole for the fan shaft. Also, gear oil is a tad heavy for these. Most here use a mix of ATF, and light oil.

Can you give a step by step walkthru on how you did it?

I copied this stump mount setup from the 177 lb Peter Wright at work. Forged the hold downs, and lagged them into the stump. It made a big difference in the ring too...it's my 120 lb Trenton. I'll be using a similar mount on my 278 lb PW. Picking it up Friday.

This one gets my vote...great marketing slogan as well! Posted this before the $$$ got in the way...too bad...it was looking great!

If we extend this topic to cover other types of "Smiths", ie Gunsmiths...Lock, Stock, and Barrel comes to mind. Hmmm...seems you beat me to that one Bob...

In early days, doors were made by one layer vertical boards, and one layer horizontal boards, nailed thru and the nails "clinched"(bent over). When the door got rotten (no Thompson water seal back then), they would throw the door on a fire. When it was burned up, they would sift the ashes for the precious Iron nails. Since the nails were bent, they were useless until the Smith straightened them out...thus "Dead as a Door Nail"

Back by the hardy and pritchel holes it appears that some previous user used the anvil as a table on which they drilled thru whatever they were working on. I'll probably have them filled, after properly pre-heating, by welding. I'll probably also dress the face with a sanding block, but NO MILLING! She's a big beasty...just right to sit beside that BIG Buffalo Forge I recently got!

To Sam I agree with Thomas! The "step" on the feet are a giveaway that it's a Peter Wright. In addition to the one I just bought, my anvil at work in the Northern Forest Heritage Park, in Berlin,NH is a PW!

Went to see the seller to give him a deposit to hold it for me. It turned out that I couldn't see the whole weight trio, and the last number was NOT 2, but 26, so I have a 278 Lb Peter Wright, for $350! Not bad for approx $1.26/pound! He also has a smaller anvil that a friend of mine will probably buy when we go to pick it up! Would anyone here be interested in a Van Norman Duplex Mill? Plat on the side says model 3. Looks to be in very good shape, with assorted horizontal arbors,collets and about 5, 5 gallon buckets of milling cutters. I told the guy I'd see if I could help him sell it, seeing as he wasn't too upset when I told him the anvil was worth more than he was asking. He also has rotary tables, one is about 12", with a 10 " lathe chuck on it, and an 18, or 24" rotary table, also a dividing rotary table. Now...for the good stuff!

I keep reading on here about people who "can't find an anvil". Some good places to try are; Craigslist! I just found and bought a 254 Lb Peter Wright for $350.00 there! Ebay. Yeah, I know, they can be pricey, but a good one will outlast you! OK...I've done my bit to help the anvil challenged here...how about posting how you found yours . Link removed due to advertising

Thanks Frosty The Lucky! I think We here are the lucky ones...to have NOT lost your expertise and humor! Wish Ak wasn't so far away...I'd love to visit Alaska again! Perhaps to "play" with your LG !!! With a forge this size, I'm gonna HAVE to get a power hammer to work what it's capable of heating up!

Well Ken...tell me what you think...I took these pics a few weeks ago in Dixville Notch. I figure the Old Man just got fed up with all the tourists and exhaust fumes and moved north...this is heading west from the Errol end. HEHEHE ...any more challenges? BlackSmithBear BTW. It's funny you mentioned this...as I recall, at the time he "fell" there was discussion about putting up a metal silhouette of him!

I work at Northern Forest Heritage Park, in Berlin,NH doing maintainance, and get to use the period (late 1800-early1900s)Blacksmith shop. I have had several items follow me home (with approval, 4" post vice, Champion 400 blower, and a cast iron 3'x4' forge. My latest follow me home item is something else...It was donated to the park, and sat upside down on a pallet for years. The administrators finally decided it did not fit in what is a replica of a logging camp, and so...here it is in my yard. Had to revise my smithy plans to accommodate it! The blower and electric motor spin freely too! I put my hand right next to the ash dump to give some idea of scale. So Glen, I'll see your 55...and raise you one Humoungous Buffalo! BTW. The forge is sitting on a FULL size Pallet!

Well...since I use My pic instead of an avatar...here it is, along with My ride for the last 28 years, 1982 Sturgis. This was taken before the motor went on me, she now has an 88 inch Shovelhead motor, and I'll get a new pic as soon as the xxxx snowstorm goes away... Oh sure...now my pic isn't posting

Depends on where you are..(might want to add your location). Seems like a good price to me. I have a 120 # Trenton, and wouldn't mind having a larger one...Northern NH here. Bear BSB Forge Milan NH

Sounds like you made out pretty well! I recently picked up a 120Lb Trenton in decent shape for $100. Bear

Demid, if you could describe hoe you make those fantastic patterns, we would all be in your debt! Absolutely amazing! The only thing I've seen that comes close is how the makers of the Damascus shotgun barrel makers made up their blanks for the barrels! BEAR

They look more like the torsion bars used on chevy S10 blazers than driveshafts. Bear