killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Well, I run across this today. Hopefully I did better than the cast iron anvil It's in rough shape, but looks plenty usable to me. The numbers as far as I can tell are 413-09-449 8 It also has a letter U some . . and possibly a 17. Feels like 100 lbs to me. I don't have a ball bearing for a bounce test, but it does ring nicely. Anyone know what it is? Lady found it in a barn in speedwell TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 The numbers were punched in by someone, nothing to ID it. Looks like a SS number to me, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Yeah back in the day ss number was etched or punched or( ) into things to ID them if stolen. Looks old- is there a pritchel hole? I can't tell from the pix. If not, could be pre 1830 ish. Looks like some of the steel plate top is worn thru/ broken, but seems there is enough left to forge on. NO GRINDING ON THE FACE!. Clean it up if you want with a wire brush, and polish the top with hot steel. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 hmm, okay thanks. I'll try to clean it up a bit and see if any other markings are on it. There is no pritchel hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Yeah, it looks like someone's SS number ID. That would be back in the day identity theft meant taking the person. I remember buying an electric engraving pen so I could mark my stuff with my SS number. Not saying what though. That old lady has see a lot of work but if you stay off the close edge (in the pic) where part of the face is gone it should most certainly be a step up from a cast iron ASO. She probably won't take really heavy work so no strikers and heavy sledges. Okay? She definitely looks OLD, oh there's ANVIL! Use her in good health. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Weight looks like 0.3.1 which puts it at 85# Lack of pritchel hole puts it around pre 1830's. If you wire wheel it and clean it up you might find remnants of a maker stamping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 It weighs 93.4 or 94.3 on the scale. Can't remember now. Still don't see any other marks after a wire wheel. What else could 0.3.1 or U. 3.1 mean? Type of steel perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 0.3.1 is deffinately the weight stamp in the English hundred weight. They are rarely right on, usually off around 10# give or take. I almost think I see part of a name stamp but can't make it out. Almost looks like the remnants of a 2 after the 1 in the weight stamp so possibly marked 0.3.12 which would make it "marked" 96#. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 I think I can make out a H LE under the 09. Maybe a mouse hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 You can make out the H part of the L and the E pretty good in this pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Sure looks like a Mouse Hole to me, especially with letters we can make out. Do us all a favor.....take that long stake out of the Hardy hole and don't ever use that to pound on while in the hardy hole. It will keep wedging in there putting pressure on it and you could crack or break off the tail. That thing was never meant to be in the hardy hole. I think I read somewhere that Mouse Holes get between 65% and 70% rebound on average - some more some less. I'm sure someone will chime in and say their MH gets 90% rebound returns, but it seems somewhere I read that the 70% number is more common because of the miles they have on them and the methods use to produce them. I could be remembering wrong. She's got some life left in her for sure, just treat here real gentle in the sense of not using sledge hammers and such. Better than the first anvil I ever used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 haha, I don't even know what the spike is for. Anyways, the stars are finally aligning. I have an anvil, hammer and my 1 burner Hell's Forge gas forge is supposed to be here next week. What would you guys suggest a newbie begin with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 To start make round stock square then octagon & back to round, tapers and make s hooks. Just get used to how metal moves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 Sending all the curmudgeons $5.00 is a good start. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 How about a few $$$ for Glenn. He pays for all the upkeep & costs of this site. He also has some charming T-shirts for sale displayed on this site. And some other merchandise. (hammers etc.) SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 Is there a donation button somewhere or is purchasing merchandise the correct way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 1 hour ago, killbox21 said: Is there a donation button somewhere or is purchasing merchandise the correct way? Glenn, Do you hear Mr. Killbox? Also; I SLAG. second the idea. To me it sounds like a sound plan. Tuck away the modesty, and go for Bunkie! SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 Start with simple things, but make sure they are simple things you are interested in making as that just adds to the enjoyment. Hooks and racks are fun. Make a rack to hold your hammers or tongs. Make an S hook or a J hook. All those projects will teach you some skills as you get used to things. It's also worth your time to research proper hammer holding and swing techniques. Gripping too hard is a habit that if you never start will help you later on. There are lots of threads on here about this that were really helpful to me. Have fun above all things and be safe. Wear safety glasses always. A hot piece of scale in your eye could ruin your year and is easily preventable. Operate your gas forge safely in an area with continuous fresh air so you don't have a problem with carbon monoxide poisoning. Did I mention have fun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbox21 Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 I did a little digging and the SS number on the Anvil belonged to a Paul Stallings from the Knoxville area. Born in April 1912, died August 99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 0*3*12 for sure! 0 x 112 + 3 x 28 + 12 == 96 so 93 well withing tolerance with so much use, There are several starting methods. Some advocate doing a lot of specific processes to learn them well and then progressing. That would bore me to tears; so I try to make items that use such processes so S hooks and drive hooks are what I would suggest; but things you can use to dress up your shop and house. I like "The Complete Modern Blacksmith", Weygers and "The Backyard Blacksmith", Sims as starter books. ILL them from your local public library and see which one you like best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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