Redsmith Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 I found this in buried in my dad's garage after he passed away. It looks to be an anvil of some type. It's approximately 10 1/2" x 15 1/2" x 2 1/4" thick and weighs 75 lbs. stamped or forged into the corners are "B-50" and "Forged Steel" but no makers mark that I can find. Any info would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Looks to be a tractor or machinery weight. Sure it's an anvil if you use it for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 75 lbs... cast steel, yep a great improvised anvil. I'll second the tractor weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 A tractor weight...I never would've guessed. Thanks for shedding some light on this one...my new bench anvil :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 My first thought was a tractor weight, but I'm starting to think it is something else for a couple reasons. For one, it isn't shaped like most tractor weights, even though it does resemble one at first glance. Secondly, it says "FORGED STEEL". Why would they go to the expense of closed-die forging their weights? Is cast iron an insufficient material to make an ugly chunk of gravity? I don't see how that would help their marketing, even if they were lying. Sure, it will work for an anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 It does seem odd C-1, but i'm no tractor weight expert. I did look for as many pics of tractor weights as I could find, but none looked like this one...if it is. It's an anvil now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Looks like a base plate for a die set. The rounded ears would be bored out to accept the pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Ahhh, looks like BUGGUN nailed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Sure looks like one. Interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 I never made mine when I had my shop, I just bought them like the picture I posted. They are pretty affordable, and it sped up the process of making a die set. Redsmith, look around some more, you may find the top piece too Was he a machinist, or tool and die maker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 Well that's about as close as I've seen yet; good eye Biggun. There are no holes in the "ears" for alignment posts but after cleaning it up some more, I drilled the rust and dirt out of three holes along the right side which turned out to be tapped at 5/16-18. I chased the holes with a bottom tap and you can see the bolts in the holes in the attached pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 49 minutes ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: I never made mine when I had my shop, I just bought them like the picture I posted. They are pretty affordable, and it sped up the process of making a die set. Redsmith, look around some more, you may find the top piece too Was he a machinist, or tool and die maker? Biggun, he was an aircraft mechanic by trade by loved to learn about everything and never could pass up any good deal if he thought he'd ever find a use for it. I grew up going to swap meets and garage sales with him...now I have the disease. Great memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Good eye Biggun, I would have never guessed given the weight. BTW: Redsmith, if you put your location in your profile you may be surprised how many of the gang are near you and could visit. Another reason is some answers are location dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 If you want it smooth again make friends with the guys at an automotive machine shop. The one my friend worked at had a flywheel grinder that was essentially a small Blanchard. Or if they are set up for shaving heads, they could deck it for you for probably less than a regular machine shop would charge. That plate has a lot of potential for various projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 9 minutes ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: Or if they are set up for shaving heads, they could deck it for you for probably less than a regular machine shop would charge. Or just get some disposable razors and a can of shaving cream from the dollar store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 On 10/16/2017 at 11:20 AM, Irondragon Forge & Clay said: Good eye Biggun, I would have never guessed given the weight. BTW: Redsmith, if you put your location in your profile you may be surprised how many of the gang are near you and could visit. Another reason is some answers are location dependent. Great idea IDF&C...thanks 8 hours ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: If you want it smooth again make friends with the guys at an automotive machine shop. The one my friend worked at had a flywheel grinder that was essentially a small Blanchard. Or if they are set up for shaving heads, they could deck it for you for probably less than a regular machine shop would charge. That plate has a lot of potential for various projects. It could use a liitle TLC, I'll look around and see what I can find. It looks like I can make good use of it...might as well start with a clean slate...so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 It would be on the floor at my anvil stand as an upsetting block for sure. In fact, it might be sitting on my old tree stump for the same purpose. If I didn't have an anvil it would be my anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsmith Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 I've got a crappy anvil and a 1 1/2" slab of mild steel for an upsetting block. I figured I might just do as you suggested Lou, and stick it on a stump. Can't be all bad if it's truly forged steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Being steel it may be heat treatable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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