January 25, 20224 yr I agree with late 18th or early 19th century but that is only a SWAG. It does look like there is plenty of use left. If you hold with karma in tools you may find that it makes your smithing easier. I know that I have old tools that I sometimes feel a sense that they are "happier" to be working and that I do better work when I use them. Brand new tools work fine but old tools have more personality and soul in them. I realize this is kind of "woo-woo" but I'm trying to express what I have felt and experienced. Others may not react in the same way as I do. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand."
January 25, 20224 yr This is the anvil I use now, made it myself and still use it whenever I am home. 180lbs and works a treat. I was inspired to keep making anvils and now I make one a year, this pattern was inspired by Brian Breazale's mild steel anvils, comes in at 80lbs, 1" hardie hole, great for beginners. George I couldn't agree more about old tools but then again I am the fellow who names his hammers
January 25, 20224 yr I like that 180-pounder, Luna. Nice job. However, I do note that the straight peen hammer that's been missing from my shop for a couple of months appears to be hanging off the stump. I hope you have a convincing explanation....
January 25, 20224 yr I'm surprised I can find anything in there myself, the darn goats got in the shop while I was gone and destroyed the forge area. I am gona have to re-build the JABOD (they decided the top of the forge was a good place to lay down) and scattered stuff everywhere. Knocked over the quench oil and quench bucket, made a big ole mess. Will have to admit shootin goats was on my mind for a few minutes. I was planning a re-build on the JABOD this summer but they have forced my hand. As to the hammer. I will loan you my lawn mower anytime, my children sometimes, my hammer - negative ghostrider.
January 25, 20224 yr Also, is that the lid to your quench bucket in the lower right corner of that photo?
January 25, 20224 yr If you are reading this and struggling to get your first anvil, my beginner model is just 1" X 8" flat bar welded together, this makes it easy to put in a hardie hole. I just had to put a horn on my anvil, nothin dooin, turns out for me that square hole was alot more usefull. I really like that ya'll encourage beginners to use what they have access to and work their way up. Maybe this will inspire somebody to think about what they have around them, I know this site has gave me ideas.
January 27, 20224 yr I thought everyone would like to see my 47kg sodorfors I just received a couple hours ago from Emerald Koch from Austria. I thought it looks awesome with the paint...after a cleaned it off with a wire wheel and added a coat of tung oil, I was blown away by the beauty of this anvil. It’s the most beautiful 100lber I’ve ever seen, I could be biased, but I don’t care. I think Frosty will appreciate this, as while I was waiting for this anvil to arrive, I was up late everynight reading all the forums about soderfors and he was always jealous of everyone else’s lol. Can anyone give me info on the 1929 stamp that’s on the base? Seemed weird since the date was 1930.
January 28, 20224 yr 2 hours ago, BK02 said: I think Frosty will appreciate this, Yer darn TOOTIN I do! She's a beauty and an excellent size for a mobile kit. Be prepared to be spoiled for using any of those myriad lesser anvils out there. Forever, once you've worked on a Soderfors nothing less well do. Except in a pinch of course, any anvil is better than no anvil and you may be on a fishing trip or something. Frosty The Lucky.
January 28, 20224 yr Did you notice the 1929 with what appears to be a 12 underneath it? Someone on the anvil group on Facebook said it is probably a New Years anvil. Never really heard or seen that. But the 1930 with a 1 under it, makes me think that he may be correct? Any ideas? I thought you would Frosty. It’s going to be my main anvil for now, and when I get a bigger area to work, I’ll get a bigger one and put this one on traveling duties. I’m really impressed with the quality. It really is as hard as you say, harder than the Holland I just sold.
January 29, 20224 yr Yeah she’s nice. Just forged out an h13 hammer eye punch. It laughed at the h13. I haven’t forged anything else on it yet, and it isn’t even properly mounted yet, but it moved h13 like my 100lb Holland moved 4140. Even did some pretty “cold” forging to clean it up a little before air hardening. Not a single mark on the anvil, but the face of my hammer did have some marks from hammering the h13. Really impressive. I’m building a no-welding-required steel tripod stand. It should be pretty interesting and work well. I’ll post pictures and an explanation in that area of the forum and maybe one here.
January 31, 20224 yr Just need to round the sharp corners. I will make a full detailed post of the materials and measurements used to make this. Long story short, very stiff for being bolted together, and makes my Sodorfors ring almost non-existent.
February 6, 20224 yr Looks like my ladies are 1-2-16 hundred weight (184 lbs) and 1-0-27 hundred weight (139). I'm going have fun putting them in new dancing dresses and fitting stands.
February 28, 20224 yr On 1/25/2022 at 4:53 PM, Luna said: If you are reading this and struggling to get your first anvil, my beginner model is just 1" X 8" flat bar welded together, this makes it easy to put in a hardie hole. I just had to put a horn on my anvil, nothin dooin, turns out for me that square hole was a lot more useful. Man, that looks pretty dang good for a homemade job! I'm new to the hobby, and I just purchased 2 anvils yesterday. It will be a while before they get here, but I'm looking forward to it.
April 19, 20224 yr I recently acquired a arm and hammer anvil, it's 122# serial number is 16570. Can anyone help me with the age and any other history. I live in the coalfields of Southern West Virginia. I know alot of mine machine shops had blacksmith shops in them. I am a machinist and fabricator myself. Retired now because of a illness. Actually had a liver transplant in 2020. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you. Edited April 19, 20224 yr by Mod30 add text
April 19, 20224 yr Looks good. Were it me, I would remove the paint on the face and top of the horn before use. It will burn off in use and won't prevent you from forging on it but you wouldn't want to be breathing in the fumes as the paint burns off. A light oiling here and there on those surfaces should keep it rust free when not in use, and using it will keep it nice and shiny.
April 19, 20224 yr Looks like the horn (possibly the face as well?) is covered in masking tape that hasn't yet been removed post-painting.
April 19, 20224 yr It looks positively smurfy GOOD! Is blue your shop color? When I paint tools or equipment I paint them hunter green and gold except special circumstances, the dangerous moving parts of my power hammer are bright red for example. One of these days I'm going to sand blast and paint my anvils my shop colors. Frosty The Lucky.
April 19, 20224 yr Nice looking Arm & Hammer anvil. BTW: Welcome from the Ozark mountains. We won't remember your location once leaving this post, so you might want to put it your in your profile.
April 19, 20224 yr Neither did I! Alaska state colors are dark blue and gold but I like what I have now. Have I been Australian since I was little? I gotta have a beer think about this maybe see if embracing my Australianicity makes a difference. I wonder if Mother knew? DANG! Frosty The Lucky.
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