Anvil size

S

Steinerj

Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
406
Looking for a starter anvil to make cable damascus since IG got me hooked on it last week and since I don't have the cash for a 200 lb anvil I was wondering what the minimum size is for a decent anvil.


Thanks in advance
Jon
 
Man this is a loaded question.... I personally would go to IG's and use his for a while and save up for the 200lb. You will be way ahead in the long run. If that fails then at least 100lbs.
 
From everything I've read, no matter what size you get, make sure it's mounted solid. A 175-200#+ will work well on a good anvil stand, but anything smaller (75# minimum) will work for light or occasional bladesmithing, if it's mounted solidly to something like a large tree stump.

--nathan
 
I dont even have a 200lb anvil ! 125 is about just the right size for something hefty but nicely portable. 75 is the minimum i'd recommend, and you'd need a nice heavy base for it. That said you can make due with something as small as only a few lbs if you need to.
 
Thanks for all the input. going down to IG's this sat hopefully and continuing my cable damascus blade
 
Acording to IG's ol' lady, size doesn't matter (at least that is what he has told her)
Stacy
 
just got a 126 lb peter wright on ebay last week....have to pick it up in atlanta next month....can't wait, now that the forge is up and running great...
 
See, This was a loaded question. I started on a 150lb anvil. It was good one but I have not idea what it was since it was my instructors. I did not appreciate the value of a heavier anvil until he allowed me to work on his 560lb Hay Budden. It was like another person had stepped up and began assisting me. The rebound back through the work added so much that I was able to move much more metal with less effort. This is why a good rebound is so important. The mass of the anvil it self provides the majority of the rebound while the base does help some. Can you forge on a smaller (50lb and under) anvil sure you can but some forget the whole reason for the anvil. It is much more than just a hard surface to beat on. It has a great affect on how the work moves and how much energy you, the smith need to expend. Now with that said, if you are using a 200lb anvil at IG's you will not be happy with a 65lb. You could get by with it if you had to. I have resigned myself to not moving mine or at least not very often. I have moved it myself but not fun (250lbs). If I decide to do a lot of demonstrating then either the anvil will need to be provided or I will get a smaller one for this purpose.
 
i have a 100Lb that i take with me to hammerins and such, and a 200LB that only moves when it REALLY has to
 
bladsmth said:
According to IG's ol' lady, size doesn't matter (at least that is what he has told her)
Stacy
Click to expand...

Oh Boy!!! I told Helen that you called her a Ol'Lady:eek::eek:. You in a heap of trouble there Bubba.:grumpy::grumpy: She asked me if you were attending the HI, because she wanted to sic the dogs on you. HEHEHEHEHE!!!
Helen is only 37.:cool:
Also, size does matter. Here is a pic of Jon holding his first billet of Damascus next to my 300# Fisher Anvil.;);)
 
Hey IG that anvil looks familiar. What are the markings on it?? I have a Fisher also that I thought was 250 but I am wondering now. I guess I am going to have to put it on the scale after 10yrs. I love mine (no ring).I does have a 90% rebound..
 
A C Richards said:
Hey IG that anvil looks familiar. What are the markings on it?? I have a Fisher also that I thought was 250 but I am wondering now. I guess I am going to have to put it on the scale after 10yrs. I love mine (no ring).I does have a 90% rebound..
Click to expand...

AC, it has the 1916 on the back, the Fisher Logo on the side, the word Fisher and 30 on the foot. I was told that the 30 stands for 300#. I like it because it does ring like some other anvil. Gray (Wolf) Rua said the rebound is not as good as his anvils.Got pic's of yours.:thumbup:
 
Jon, get a plate of steel at least 2' X 3' and as thick as you can get. Then we will weld a piece of railroad track that I have here to it. Also a 2' piece of 2" angle line. This will make a good started anvil for you. And if you don't win the gas forge at the HI, we will build you one.;):D
 
Here's a picture pf 2 of my babies. The anvil is a fisher I believe to weigh 250lbs. It has a 5 on one of the back feet but th other numbers have been obliterated. 1909 on the heel side foot. The fisher emblem has also been wiped out but fisher is printed on the base. My other baby is my 100lb Beaudry. I was converted from a overhead belt to a self contained belt drive somewhere in her lifetime. Took a few years for me to get her going but she works pretty good now. I also have a press but no good photos. It is raining pretty hard right now and it is too big to fit in the shop. Bigger is always better:D:thumbup::D
 
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