Anvil Question

Sgt_Bobbo

Sgt_Bobbo

Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
344
I have the opportunity to buy this anvil for $700. It's an arm and Hammer 111 lbs. Seller says it has 90% rebound. Looks decent to me but would like the opinions of people who actually know.

 
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Nice anvil, but way too much money. I would say that particular one is worth maybe 350 bucks. Not counting shipping of course. This type of anvil, made in the English manor has a steell face forge/hot welded to an iron body. You can see the line at about the half inch mark down the side. I have a Peter Wright made the same way. These are excellent anvils. But for $700 bucks a definite no.
 
It looks like it has been welded to the plate for the stand. Would have been better to not weld it down. That face also looks like it has been ground down. Grinding the face is generally a no no. I’d probably avoid at that price point. Your basically up in the range of a good new anvil at that point.
 
I would buy a modern cast steel anvil. will perform better per lb than a wrought iron bodied anvil. Can get for the same price or less.
 
Modern anvils are poured in a single casting from tool steel. My anvil, manufactured here in Texas by AP tool, was poured from #2 tool steel at the Fort Worth Foundry. I've owned it since 1983ish. I also own a Peter Wright, and a Mouse Hole anvil... They both have forge welded steel faces. And they rebound like a million bux. I'll take weight over just about anything else, (all other factors being equal of course...). For the most part, you only use about four square inch of your anvil most of the time, so it really comes down to price and shipping. There are some great old anvils out there to buy, and super great brand new ones you shouldn't ignore.
$700 bux will buy one hell of a good anvil! and twice the weight of the one you're looking at.
 
One thing that is not being mentioned is that the steel base seems to be about 200-300 pounds. Ask the seller what the entire weight is. I suspect that the total mass is well over 300 pounds … which would be a good deal for $700.00
Even with that, I would offer him $600 and see what happens.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
One thing that is not being mentioned is that the steel base seems to be about 200-300 pounds. Ask the seller what the entire weight is. I suspect that the total mass is well over 300 pounds … which would be a good deal for $700.00
Even with that, I would offer him $600 and see what happens.
Click to expand...

The seller said the total weight is about 500 pounds. He made the base and filled it with sand.
 
One other item which hasn't been mentioned is that this set up is pretty much tailored to the current owner. Everything is welded together and non-adjustable. That means you are going to have a hard time adjusting the working height to your comfort. Also, you can't move the rig in sections. You need to move the whole set up in one piece. That should be fun. Agreed that the price is too high for such a light anvil but also agreed that the stand has a lot of value and adds mass as well.
 
yeah... 500lbs is worth $700. Usually between 3-5 $/lb depending on the condition is a good deal.

As long as the anvil face isn't already way too high for you, you should be okay. That said, you could always build a platform around the anvil and base to raise yourself up an inch or two. Cut a hole through a couple stall mats to fit over the base.

If you go cast.... make sure it is cast STEEL, not cast IRON. The latter does not make a good anvil. That said, a bad anvil is better than no anvil at all!
 
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It looks as if the top of the base is held on with bolts. I think it comes off.
 
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