Big-D

I prefer starting out with square stock, it seems to help a bit when rotating for the various parts of the bits. If you just have roundstock, that's fine.

I use a combination of chainsaw bar oil and Marvel Mystery Oil, but it doesn't get that cold where I live.

Here's mine:

I've probably owned something on the order of 50-75 anvils since I started blacksmithing in the late 70's. I've pretty much owned most of the major brands including Mousehole, Peter Wright, Hay Budden (and derivatives), Fisher Norris, Arm and Hammer (not Vulcan!), Trenton, Kohlswa, Peddinghaus, and Soderfors (sp?). Top dollar to someone that buys and sells anvils is $3.00 a pound plus. Top dollar to someone that has an anvil sitting in a shed covered in rat poop is just slightly more than scrap value.

I think Canneday Ottos (sp?) are the best, they have bushings instead of bearings, easily replaced.

I've had some luck putting an advertisement in the classified section of the newspaper. Most states have something like the "Market Bulletin", usually publised by the state department of agriculture, wanted ads in there usually do pretty well. I generally use terms like "top dollar paid", and "in good condition".

You could do it in the traditional manner, on a cone mandrel. Then you're not locked into a specific size ring like you are with a jig or fixture.

This one, that I made.