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Author Topic: Swage Block  (Read 6132 times)

Offline Shreckmeister

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Swage Block
« on: April 19, 2011, 07:55:39 PM »
Anyone have a handle on the age of this swage block?  What are the cone
shaped swages used for?

« Last Edit: April 19, 2011, 07:56:50 PM by suzkat »
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

dannybb55

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2011, 04:14:11 AM »
That is a Yoder block. They were sold by Centaur Forge from the 80s to maybe 10 years ago. I got a pair for Poplar Grove Plantation in 1993 or so for about 300 bucks. It is a very good block made of ductile iron with no flaws that I have ever seen. The conic sections are for forming just that. You have either an A or B block. The other block has V grooves and more holes and a shovel pattern.
                                                                                 Danny
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 04:16:05 AM by dannybb55 »
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2011, 04:01:19 PM »
Thanks for the info.  I was hoping it was older.  I'm putting together a
gunsmith museum and wanted to have it for the display.  Hoping that I
will be able to trade it for an older one.  Do you think that's possible or
are the older ones more valuable?
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline James

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2011, 05:10:48 PM »
Where are you located? What are the measurements on this one?
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2011, 05:19:57 PM »
In western PA, it's about 12" square and 3 1/2 thick.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Bill of the 45th

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2011, 05:45:23 PM »
Suzkat, I would spend your Museum resources on other stuff, unless you could trade even for an older one, that will probably look the same, or worse.  The one you have could have been made in the 1880's or 1980's, and unless it has a cast in date you can't tell.  Even early 19th century ones will look like that, and are getting harder, and more expensive to find.  You have a winner there.  Any description you would give for it, should probably just say that is a swage block used for forming, and of a style that has been around for centuries.  They come in many shapes, and sizes to fit the needs of the smith.  You got a good one there.

Bill
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Offline JDK

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2011, 05:52:57 PM »
Bill is right.  Unless it's marked Centaur Forge or has some other cast in indicators who's to say without a doubt that it isn't at least a century old?  That's a super example there and I believe your money and time would best be spent on your next adventure.  J.M.H.O.  - J.D.K.
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J.D. Kerstetter

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2011, 06:30:44 PM »
Bill and JDK,  Thanks for the advice.  There are no marks on the
swage, so I think I'll focus on finding some other tools for the shop
now.   A few guys told me that this is a good swage.  Much
appreciated.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Swage Block
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2011, 07:10:06 PM »
Quote from: dannybb55 on April 20, 2011, 04:14:11 AM
That is a Yoder block. They were sold by Centaur Forge from the 80s to maybe 10 years ago. I got a pair for Poplar Grove Plantation in 1993 or so for about 300 bucks. It is a very good block made of ductile iron with no flaws that I have ever seen. The conic sections are for forming just that. You have either an A or B block. The other block has V grooves and more holes and a shovel pattern.
                                                                                 Danny

Danny,  I'm told the block is a Wally Yater block.  Centaur later made his blocks.  The Centaur examples I have seen are stamped Centaur.  This one
is not.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
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