Anvil Advice

[merl67]

Who is our resident Anvil expert? I have an opportunity to buy this anvil the face is approximately 7"×17" it is 27" long total. It weighs 225lbs the guy wants $300 no name on it that he can find. I want to try my hand at doing some forging, but if I needed to sell it or decided to do something different don't want to get too deep.

 

[Abbynormal]

Make sure it rings when hit with a hammer. If it doesn't it has a crack.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Not an expert, in anything, but I have been forging, not checks, for 30+
years. A 225 lb anvil around here would bring 2 to 3 dollars/pound.
If you have a ball bearing do a drop test and see how high it rebounds,
just drop from about 18 inches. If it rebounds 70% or more it is probably
a good anvil.
Use a carpenters level or square to check the flatness of the work surface
(face), check length wise as well as side to side. You don't want to much
sway back, a little won't hurt.
As far as the anvil ringing, some will some will not. A cheap cast iron
anvil will ring like a bell but the first time you hit it with a 3 pound hammer it will probably crack or chip.
From what I can see on your pics it has some chipping on the edges,
but, not something that can't be worked around.
Final opinion, buy it. Then go to a used book store and buy a couple
books on blacksmithing. What kind of forge are you thinking?

 

[rkwood]

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $1 per pound for a well used anvil. For a no-name anvil with a few minor condition issues, such as that example, I would offer no more than $200 tops if I was in need of one...

As a side note, I've had to physically evict three tenants over the course of 30 years of owning rental properties. In two of those cases, they left behind nice vintage anvils. [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

 

[truckerdave397]

$2-3 a pound is usually the going price around me also.

 

[max]

I know nothing about anvils. However, by accident, I did find some interesting videos about them on youtube and how to refinish them.

 

[merl67]

What kind of forge are you thinking?

Thinking propane as finding coal in my area seems to be a problem.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Looks like the same one that came from the Acme Company and caused so many troubles for Wile E. Coyote.

 

[cowboy4evr]

You might want to consider just spending a few dollars and get a thick piece of steel from a steel yard to begin with . It will suffice , do what you need for an anvil and give you a good start . I don't recommend spending a lot of $$ on a start in forging until you know if it's a good fit for you . Regards, Paul

 

[tlawler]

Looks like the same one that came from the Acme Company and caused so many troubles for Wile E. Coyote.

Lol...surprised it got all the way to post# 8 before someone made a roadrunner reference

 

[K-22]

The Devil

Make sure it rings when hit with a hammer. If it doesn't it has a crack.

Do not forget, if you strike an anvil without hot iron upon it, you will release the Devil.

 

[merl67]

Do not forget, if you strike an anvil without hot iron upon it, you will release the Devil.

Given how 2020 has been I think we are too late someone already has...

 

[REM 3200]

Wonder how high you can shoot it with a charge of black-powder?

 

[G-Mac]

I buy, sell, and collect a few anvils. $300 for 225lbs. is cheap as long as it's got good rebound. You won't get hurt on that deal. I've sold anvils at $5.00 a pound but they were Peter Wright, Kohlswa, etc.

 

[StrawHat]

I buy, sell, and collect a few anvils. $300 for 225lbs. is cheap as long as it's got good rebound. You won't get hurt on that deal. I've sold anvils at $5.00 a pound but they were Peter Wright, Kohlswa, etc.

Interesting. An anvil collector! Is there an anvil collectors forum? I am looking for a small anvil for my work to straighten knife tips and such.

Kevin

 

[soFlaNative]

Wonder how high you can shoot it with a charge of black-powder?

What was the old tale of putting a handful of black powder into a hollow under an anvil then hammering down with a sledge?
I guess the pressure produced a pretty good boom.

 

[chief38]

I've often thought about buying a real Anvil but just can't justify the few times a year my good old railroad tie won't get the task done. For those times I usually go to a friends shop and use his. My Railroad Tie section bails me out for all the small repair and fabricating jobs I do.

 

[misswired]

Interesting. An anvil collector! Is there an anvil collectors forum? I am looking for a small anvil for my work to straighten knife tips and such.

Kevin

You may can locate a small section of rail from a railroad. Living close to one many years, if a repair cutaway was left laying around too long.....

ETA: pics of a three and ten foot sections lining a planter bed.

 

[Golddollar]

You may can locate a small section of rail from a railroad. Living close to one many years, if a repair cutaway was left laying around too long.....

ETA: pics of a three and ten foot sections they were lining a planter bed.

This just brought back the memory of my mother using a piece of railroad rail to crack nuts on in front of the fireplace. Mom passed in 1991 and Pop passed on in 2015 so now I have the piece of rail.

 

[Bro. Dave]

Regarding an Anvil Shoot:
Since the 11th of November 1918 the city of Hamilton, Texas has had an anvil shoot. The story is that when the telegram announcing the armistice arrived (5a.m Texas time) they used an anvil shoot to notify/celebrate everyone.

Since then, the local American Legion Post has had an anvil shoot each Veteran's Day at 5 a.m.

They use two anvils with a black powder charge on top of one and the second anvil placed on top. Using a long rod heated red hot in a fire, they touch off the charge. Over the years it has become a treasured tradition and an opportunity for a fund-raising breakfast. Trust me, there are weirder "festivals" celebrated in Texas than this charming tradition.

 

[Spajohn]

Regarding an Anvil Shoot:
Since the 11th of November 1918 the city of Hamilton, Texas has had an anvil shoot. The story is that when the telegram announcing the armistice arrived (5a.m Texas time) they used an anvil shoot to notify/celebrate everyone.

Since then, the local American Legion Post has had an anvil shoot each Veteran's Day at 5 a.m.

They use two anvils with a black powder charge on top of one and the second anvil placed on top. Using a long rod heated red hot in a fire, they touch off the charge. Over the years it has become a treasured tradition and an opportunity for a fund-raising breakfast. Trust me, there are weirder "festivals" celebrated in Texas than this charming tradition.

I believe that the finesse in competitive anvil shooting revolves around leveling your anvil as best as you can in order that it lands as close as possible to it's launch point. Straight up and down wins the day, it's not as easy as it looks.

 

[merl67]

I buy, sell, and collect a few anvils. $300 for 225lbs. is cheap as long as it's got good rebound. You won't get hurt on that deal. I've sold anvils at $5.00 a pound but they were Peter Wright, Kohlswa, etc.

I did buy it as it had good rebound no cracks that I could see. I do have a section of railroad railing but it is pitted and very rough. I have been looking for a while. One member posted buying anvils for a dollar a pound you wont do that around here ever. As others have said the going rate here is three dollars a pound and up, and the three dollars ones aren't much to look at. I am going to see if I can find any makers marks on it, but not holding out too much hope.

 

[merl67]

A few pictures after a scrub down with a wire brush no indication who made it. I do know which side the individual who used it the most stood evidenced by the marks made testing things he made. There are two ovsl or circular marks on the edge of two of the feet can be seen in photo.

 

[NYlakesider]

Do not forget, if you strike an anvil without hot iron upon it, you will release the Devil.

Does he then go down to Georgia for a fiddle contest!

 

[Kurusu]

Looks like the same one that came from the Acme Company and caused so many troubles for Wile E. Coyote.

That was going to be my only advice. Do not buy an anvil from ACME. They will be falling on your head everytime.

 

[Kurusu]

Wonder how high you can shoot it with a charge of black-powder?

Depends on the charge.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I buy, sell, and collect a few anvils. $300 for 225lbs. is cheap as long as it's got good rebound. You won't get hurt on that deal. I've sold anvils at $5.00 a pound but they were Peter Wright, Kohlswa, etc.

I attended an auction last winter in Fort Smith, Ar and a 250lb anvil sold for $2,600. It was in real good shape but without a
name or makers mark I could find. One of the bidders was sure
it was a Fisher anvil, he dropped out of the bidding around $1,600. You can buy a brand new forged German anvil for that
price.

 

[Inusuit]

Didn't come here today expecting to learn about anvils, but thanks to all who posted for the education.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Thinking propane as finding coal in my area seems to be a problem.

I have never used a propane forge but know several knife makers that use only propane as they can soak the steel without it burning up.
I am more of a traditional smith and use coal or charcoal with a
hand cranked blower on the forge. Not any better, just my way
of doing things. There is an excellent book on traditional blacksmithing by Alex Bealer. I bought a copy from a used book
store about 25+ years ago for $6.00. That was before everyone
jumped on the wagon.
Tractor Supply sells coal in 50 lb bags but it is hard coal and
is hard to keep lit.
If you are trying to refurbish your anvil, shy away from grinding
as that is work surface you can never get back.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

A few pictures after a scrub down with a wire brush no indication who made it. I do know which side the individual who used it the most stood evidenced by the marks made testing things he made. There are two ovsl or circular marks on the edge of two of the feet can be seen in photo.

Obviously from the Acme Company. No markings on any of their products, as shown in hundreds of Roadrunner cartoons. Anvils, rocket packs, artillery pieces, all shipped to Wile E. Coyote in a big truck, and always arriving a couple of minutes prior to the disaster (from which Roadrunner always cruised away unscathed).

Unfortunately, this is what amounts to history classes for today's public school students.