Any Blacksmiths here?

[Nod4Eight]

That's a bad ass Anvil. How much does it weigh? I'm still looking for one right now, every time i go to the swap meet to try and find one they never have them or want over $2 a lb

It's 110#, but it was my buddies. $220 would not be a bad price for one that size. You can't find them around here. My current one is 70# and not nearly the anvil, but it's going to be tightly secured to a base that weighs about 100#, so it will be solid. As you know, it's all in the weight. Once you get over 100 - 150 lbs it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference imo.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

Trades are always good. There is a place not far from here that sells fur and fireworks (I know, odd combination). I used to sell them furs from coyotes or things I'd trap. But they have a decent selection of leather and handle material such as antler scraps. Gonna try to trade some knives for more supplies. I have enough metal now to make quite a few knives, but handle material is different.
Leather is always useful. I used to do quite a bit of leather work, and still have some shops asking if I'm doing it. I could make/sell some chaps and I heard quickdraw holsters are pretty hot right now. Too much to do and not enough time to do it....
Please do take some pics. It's always fun to see other shop setups. I'll take some this evening, but don't judge, it's a mess right now.

That's a very weird combo. I've never gotten into leather making but he makes some really good blankets and said if i bring him some elk hide he could make me a badass coat. I've never finished a knife.... I know crazy right but i could still sell them with out the handle on them and still make a profit. some people are really good at putting the handles on knifes but I never was. Now that was 15 years ago so I'm hopping that has changed and I'm more patient now to get it done right.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

It's 110#, but it was my buddies. $220 would not be a bad price for one that size. You can't find them around here. My current one is 70# and not nearly the anvil, but it's going to be tightly secured to a base that weighs about 100#, so it will be solid. As you know, it's all in the weight. Once you get over 100 - 150 lbs it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference imo.

True but the only ones around here that I've found have benn 55lbs and 60lbs. they want over $130 for them. I'm to the point now that I may just make my own out of some railroad track.

 

[Nod4Eight]

That's a very weird combo. I've never gotten into leather making but he makes some really good blankets and said if i bring him some elk hide he could make me a badass coat. I've never finished a knife.... I know crazy right but i could still sell them with out the handle on them and still make a profit. some people are really good at putting the handles on knifes but I never was. Now that was 15 years ago so I'm hopping that has changed and I'm more patient now to get it done right.

I find that I get a little more patient with age, and that's usually coupled with just better quality in general.

 

[Nod4Eight]

True but the only ones around here that I've found have benn 55lbs and 60lbs. they want over $130 for them. I'm to the point now that I may just make my own out of some railroad track.

RR track will work, takes a little effort to flatten the top. Go check out a scrap yard and find a decent sized piece of thick steel. I've seen knives made on some "interesting" anvils. The important thing is flat and heavy. It doesn't need to look like the prototypical anvil. Scrap steel here is going for about 35-50 cents a pound.

 

[fknhippie]

I'd love to learn how.

 

[Nod4Eight]

I'd love to learn how.

It's a lot of fun, and can cathartic. There are a lot of places that offer evening class/course. Check it out.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

RR track will work, takes a little effort to flatten the top. Go check out a scrap yard and find a decent sized piece of thick steel. I've seen knives made on some "interesting" anvils. The important thing is flat and heavy. It doesn't need to look like the prototypical anvil. Scrap steel here is going for about 35-50 cents a pound.

That's a good idea. I haven't even checked out the scrap yards here yet. Due to a few of them are under shady owners.
Have you ever worked in just striping wires for brass? I just started hearing that you can make a little bit by stripping the wires for copper and melting them down and selling the ingots by the lb. as pure copper.

 

[txTIGER1963]

finally found this

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

Going to the swap meet this weekend looking for more Copper and brass. Made a killing last weekend with a bunch of loose brass and copper piping and 26lbs of copper wire all for $30.

 

[txTIGER1963]

Going to the swap meet this weekend looking for more Copper and brass. Made a killing last weekend with a bunch of loose brass and copper piping and 26lbs of copper wire all for $30.

nice
reminds me I need to check prices
I have several buckets full from metal detecting

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

nice
reminds me I need to check prices
I have several buckets full from metal detecting

I've wanted to try that one day whenever I go back up to Oregon to visit the farm on the river. There have been lots of floods over the years that I'm sure have dropped off some good stuff on the property. Just no metal detector or time when i do make the trip.

 

[txTIGER1963]

trying to learn smelting and cupelling
got this setup but have not used it yet...

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

trying to learn smelting and cupelling
got this setup but have not used it yet...

Very nice. I’m in the process of making my own right now. Waiting till after my move to CO before I build a bigger one. For now I’m just going to smelt copper and some brass and silver.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

All for $15. Just need to clean it up and melt it down. Weighing in at 42.7lbs

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I have a friend who co manages The Crucible in the east bay.
The staffers,students & volunteers have been commissioned to do projects,displays & stage set ups that involve metal working/welding, blacksmithing, woodworking, foundry,ceramic & glass blowing for various events such as the annual Burning Man festival, and other live events/concerts throughout the bay area (theater,opera, symphony)...as well as museum & art gallery displays. They also offer classes.

The Crucible (arts education center) - Wikipedia

Industrial Art Classes in Oakland - The Crucible

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

I have a friend who co manages The Crucible in the east bay.
The staffers,students & volunteers have been commissioned to do projects,displays & stage set ups that involve metal working/welding, blacksmithing, woodworking, foundry,ceramic & glass blowing for various events such as the annual Burning Man festival, and other live events/concerts throughout the bay area (theater,opera, symphony)...as well as museum & art gallery displays. They also offer classes.

The Crucible (arts education center) - Wikipedia

Industrial Art Classes in Oakland - The Crucible

That’s pretty cool and close to where I’m at. If I didn’t hate the Bay Area so much I would like to check it out.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

Off to the swap meet. I’ll post pics of what I find.

 

[Hillbillyzombie]

@Nod4Eight
This is that bullshit I was telling you about. 60lbs for 350

 

[Nod4Eight]

View attachment 192579 @Nod4Eight
This is that bullshit I was telling you about. 60lbs for 350

Thats nuts.