anvil advice

[Evan Martin]

yesterday I stopped by an antique shop a friend owns he had an old anvil his wife said 100 years plus I could not see any markings because its right it the middle of some cannons but it looks to be 150 to 200# and in flawless condition absolutely no damage what so ever his wife did not no anything about it but he is back today and I'm on my way to talk to him about it he wants 200$ for it Is it worth I don't know anything about them really sorry for the lack of punctation but I am in a hurry thanks

evan

 

[bjalongi]

bring a 1/2" or 1" ball bearing, or a ball pien hammer and ask the shop keeper if you can check the rebound. If you drop the ball bearing from about a foot or two, it should return to your hand, or almost to your hand. Cast iron anvils don't have much rebound, so you'll know right away if it is the real deal with a rebound test. That is a good price for an anvil in good condition, especially if it is flawless. I would buy it, even if the face isn't perfectly flat. The face can be trued up on a mill or surface grinder.

 

[scottickes]

I've been told in the past that you can expect to pay about $3 per pound for a good anvil. I'm not sure if this dollar figure is still accurate. Maybe someone will chime in.

 

[birdog4]

It's whatever the market will bear.
I bought 2 in the last 2 weeks , one fair one good, and paid a grand total of $75. One was 125# and the other 180#.
Last summer one followed me home after paying $100 and a couple days of baling hay. It weighed in at 280#.