anvil buying questions

artificialj

artificialj

Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
153
Hey guys, so I've been lurking off and on for a number of years now, and I finally have something to ask.

I now have a house that I can set up shop in, and am starting to acquire tools. So I just found a fairly promising sounding anvil on craigslist. I'm thinking about going to check it out and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look for/look out for? I was planning on bringing a large stainless steel ball bearing and seeing how it bounced, checking the face plate for any large scars, and possibly tapping all over the face to see if there were any dead areas. Those sound like good ways to make sure it's ok? Any other ideas?

Thanks much,
Jay
 
Take a straight edge and make sure it's not sway backed.an1/8" or so is ok,but you don't want one with a 1/2" sway in it. Also no badly chipped edges.
Stan
 
Unless you are familiar enough with them to accurately guess the weight, you might want to take some bathroom scales along.
 
Straight edge and bathroom scale sounds good. Thanks!

I had considered new but would love to save some money with a good used one. Any links to good (cheap) new anvils?

Thanks,
Jay
 
I don't think there are any GOOD CHEAP NEW anvils.
You can sometimes find good old anvils for less than
$3/lb. New will usually be considerably more.

The ball bearing test is a good one.....a rebound of
90% or better is best.

Most older anvils will have an iron body, and a welded
steel face which will be fairly obvious. as mentioned there should be
little or no damage to the face. If it's very slightly sway backed
and you have a way to grind it flat.....OK. Otherwise, I'd pass
on it. Trying to make blades on a swaybacked anvil will be frustrating..!

For hand forging flat stock. #100 is probably about as light as you want to
go. For thick or round stock you'll want something heavier.
 
Oldworldanvils.com has some of the best new anvil prices with good quality and popular shapes. Remember, if you buy a good one, you nor your sons nor your sons' sons will ever have to buy one again. It will never need an oil change, never need batteries, never complain, never wear out and is always ready. just trying to get you not to feel the buyer-burn dropping a bunch of dough.
 
Last edited:
If its the one in Hamilton advertised as a 200 pounder for 200 bucks don't bother. I drove 2 hours to buy it Friday and its maybe 100 pound including the unknown welded plate on top. Later that day I found one in Frankfort KY that is a 120 pound ACME anvil for 2 bucks a pound in great shape, I swooped it up.
 
beaterAR said:
If its the one in Hamilton advertised as a 200 pounder for 200 bucks don't bother. I drove 2 hours to buy it Friday and its maybe 100 pound including the unknown welded plate on top. Later that day I found one in Frankfort KY that is a 120 pound ACME anvil for 2 bucks a pound in great shape, I swooped it up.
Click to expand...

Haha, that's hilarious! That was the one! I knew it looked a little small in the picture. Thanks for saving me the time!

So, seeing as how you are a local, if you find any other promising 150+ lb.ers, want to send em my way? :D
 
I have a source up here in NE Ohio. He has an "in" with a few scrap yards and they call him with most of the blacksmithing supplies they come up with. He sells from a large weekly flea market and one of the coon hunters festival's but has offered to have me come by his house as well.

He knows his anvils but not sure if he has the ability to send pictures. I know he sells a lot to the one big anvil seller on eBay over in Western Michigan, said he sold him about 40 of them at one time before.

I have bought quite a bit from him and at one point had 3 of his anvils. I think I gave him $150 for the Trenton I use right now which is well under $1 a pound.

Let me know if you'd be willing to make the trek and I'll send you his contact information. If you make it up this way I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
 
artificialj said:
Haha, that's hilarious! That was the one! I knew it looked a little small in the picture. Thanks for saving me the time!

So, seeing as how you are a local, if you find any other promising 150+ lb.ers, want to send em my way? :D
Click to expand...

YA ill keep let ya know if I find something down here , I look out of OCD, Im on the verge of being a horder and if I could help someone on the road to being a hoarder them-self ...well... My wife would be happy....lol

here is a link to an add for a guy in OHIO that has 15 anvils
http://lexington.craigslist.org/tls/2044008442.html
 
cpirtle said:
Let me know if you'd be willing to make the trek and I'll send you his contact information. If you make it up this way I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. I'd need to borrow a car capable of going on a highway, but if I can't find anything down here you might be hearing from me!

beaterAR said:
YA ill keep let ya know if I find something down here , I look out of OCD, Im on the verge of being a horder and if I could help someone on the road to being a hoarder them-self ...well... My wife would be happy....lol

here is a link to an add for a guy in OHIO that has 15 anvils
http://lexington.craigslist.org/tls/2044008442.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll definitely do some hoarding for you! Thanks for that link, I'll try to get in touch with that guy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top