Nigel Benson Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 I've been ending up here a bunch over the last month of doing research and learning about blacksmithing, so I decided to create an account and start reading as much as I can. I am totally new to this, but it was something I have always wanted to learn, even as a child. I purchased a 250lb anvil that came off an old and large Cattle ranch outside San Antonio, the lady believed it was purchased just before the civil war 1859ish, I am now working on a Forge area between my garden and shed. I hope to learn a great deal here and am glad for this resource. Thank you. -Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Welcome Nigel! 250 lbs! Man that's a nice anvil to be learning on! Do you know what kind it is? If you post it up here, we can help you identify if. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 welcome aboard. i'm interested in anvil pics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Benson Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 I will try to post some pics tomorrow, There is very faint writing on one side but I can't make it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Please post pictures! (and don't be upset if that anvil turns out to be younger than suggested; they often are especially at that size and that location) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Benson Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 I got home after dark from work so I am using the Halogen work lamp to light the anvil so its not great but here it is on IMGUR. http://imgur.com/a/90N96 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Nice old anvil. Just start hammering on it and have fun. Don't grind or otherwise mess with it, just use it as-is. If you are anal retentive, just a mild hand wire brushing to clean her up a bit would be all I'd do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Benson Posted December 8, 2016 Author Share Posted December 8, 2016 Yea I didn't want to grind it down, even with the little dish to the center, I figure if I'm learning it will do whatever I need it to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Nice anvil! There are plenty of pros that use anvils with sways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Agreed. Welcome aboard and enjoy the learning process. That is a nice anvil and can take some serious work. I'd love to own it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 10 hours ago, Nigel Benson said: I'm learning it will do whatever I need it to do. and the anvil has plenty to teach you in your learning curve, nice anvil enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 I've found a bit of sway to be very helpful in knifemaking as it helps you straighten blades where you need to go just a hair too far the other way to have it "bounce back" to dead straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Benson Posted December 9, 2016 Author Share Posted December 9, 2016 I'm just excited to get my Forge and a forge shed built at the moment, just very little time around the holidays between work and family, but all good things take time. Thank you everybody for the helpful tips. -Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Welcome aboard Nigel, glad to have you. That's a beautiful anvil, a little sway doesn't really mean anything. first as Thomas says sway is helpful for straightening and secondly you don't forge lengthways on the face anyway and it isn't swayed crossways. It's a good thing being excited just don't get rushed, I've made some of my worst mistakes hurrying. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Howdy Nigel! Nice anvil, and if you got any other pictures of anything else, as long as its G-rated, don't hesitate sharing them. Anything! we all love seeing pictures! Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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