Reconditioned Blacksmithing Equipment and My Forging
Area
by
James
P. Riser
Since needing to forge some special tools and not wanting to
invest in new equipment, I have been able to acquire a couple
of nice anvils, post vises, and assortment of tongs for my work.
I have posted this page so that others might see the potential
in older equipment and how I have arranged my forging area.
This first anvil is a 125 pound Vulcan Arm and Hammer
anvil.
Condition when bought..................................Condition
after restoration....................
The second anvil is a 135 pound Fulton anvil.
Condition when bought
Condition after clean up
Both of these anvils required extensive grinding to
remove rust pits, chips, and hammer dings from a former life.
In addition, I have acquired a couple post vises to
go with the anvils. These post vises have not yet been cleaned
up for use. They are posted so that others might see what they
look like. These vises are constructed to take heavy pounding.
They fasten to the bench top and the leg extends down to the floor
to transfer forces.
Also I have located several blacksmithing tongs in
my travels. These are posted so that you might see the variety
that I have found....so far.
Also I have needed to assemble a small collection of
hammers. I will be adding to these.
This is how I have arranged everything for working
efficiently:
The two anvils are placed so that I may use either
as needed. Each anvil has characteristics that I like for certain
jobs. The tongs hang out of the way; but close if I need them.
I have placed an old Canedy Otto self feeding post
drill on the wall next to the tongs. Using this is great exercise!
Click here for
more images of this drill.
The post vises are attached to a heavy old lathe bench
for stability. My homemade propane forge (sitting on top of a
recycled trash compactor cabinet) is to the right of this bench.
Click here
to see construction of my forge.
Click here to
see my forge in action.
I hope this page will be of interest to others entering
the field of blacksmithing.
Click here to return to
my machinery web page.