THE FARM SHOP 33 



Generally, farm forges are not required to develop 

 a great amount of heat. Farmers do but little weld- 

 ing, most of the forge work on the farm being con- 

 fined to repair work such as heating brace irons, so 

 they may be easily bent into the proper shape, or to 

 soften metal so that holes may be punched through it 

 easily. 



Sharpening harrow teeth, drawing out plow points 

 and horseshoeing are about the heaviest forge jobs re- 



Figure 38. Anvil. The only satisfactory anvil is forged out of 

 ingot steel with a power trip-hammer. It should weigh 140 pounds. 



quired in a farm blacksmith shop, so that a medium size 

 forge will answer the purpose. 



Anvil. An anvil should weigh at least 120 pounds ; 

 140 is better. It should be set six feet from the center 

 of the fire to the center of the anvil. It should be 

 placed on a timber the size of the base of the anvil set 

 three feet in the ground. The top of the anvil should 

 be about thirty inches high. Holmstrom's rule is: 

 " Close the fist, stand erect with the arm hanging 

 down. The knuckles should just clear the face of the 

 anvil." 



