Is it really needed?

Sam Salvati

Sam Salvati

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
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Ok, so I got to thinking again (not enough time in the shop). I put a down payment on one of Chuck's anvils, and when it is said and done will have spent a fair chunk of change, I am in no way complaining about the extremely good price Chuck charges for his anvils (which is way too little anyway for the amount of work involved as has been said before). I was thinking though, do I need it? I have anvils already all of which have served me perfectly fine so far. I of course have not gotten it yet, so it might be in the case of my KMG, a large investment in a great tool that I did not essentially need, but would make life MUCH MUCH easier.

DID I NEED IT THOUGH? Did I need another anvil when the ones I have work fine already? There is nothing wrong with making your life easier, right? I almost feel I don't deserve it, since they will not be made anymore when Chuck is out of his anvil stock, and I will only use it seldom for now. Like anvil collectors, do they need that many? Could many other people put them to good use, people who NEED them?

And I won't be backing out of my down payment, I don't feel guilty about spending the money at all, and I look VERY much forward to getting my anvil and putting it to immediate good use :D .
 
You can never have too many anvils. I just got the pieces to make a 32" X 6" X 12" 350lbs anvil. Can't wait to get it finished.
 
I used an anvil the first time I forged a knife and haven't used one since. I have a small table made from 2" square tubing and welded to the top, a 2" x 15" diameter steel disc that I picked up to use for weights (two of them)I believe each one weights around 95 lbs. I was thinking I would cut and weld them up and make a proper anvil shape out of them but the flat side of the disc is working for now, so maybe I will get around to hardfacing it one day... or maybe not.
 
What deker said!!!

Did I NEED a 450# Gladiator?
Did I NEED two post vises?
Did I NEED 3 belt grinders?
Did I NEED a surface grinder?
Did I NEED a mill?
Did I NEED a power hammer?
Did I NEED a press?
Did I NEED a bigger bandsaw?
Did I NEED 3 Wilton vises and a giant 8" Rigid vise?
Did I NEED most of the stuff I have bought?


No... I didn't NEED any of it. I made a bunch of knives before I had ANY of that stuff. But I WANTED it. And so long as you've got the cash, and you're not buying tools instead of putting food in front of your kids or something like that... THEN BUY THE STUFF YOU WANT!!!! :D

In a way... YES SAM, YOU NEED IT ;) :D
 
Hey Sam, my "student" is beside himself because the prices on those anvils are skyrocketing. I'm not going to say what I paid for mine but I could turn a healthy profit reselling it.

You'll never regret quality. And he who dies with most toys wins.
 
I have a 300 lb Fisher that is wonderful to forge on. There are two earlier anvils in the smithy that have been shown the door, but that happened two years ago and they haven't gone anywhere yet.
Anvils seem to heard up, like cows. They do in my shop anyway.:D

I gave up years ago trying to limit my lust for machinery.
Besides, the lady that does our taxes told me to buy more machines for the shop. :eek::D

Nuff said.:cool:

Fred
 
Sam,
I agree with the other folks you can never have really have a perfect anvil. Just one your happy with now. I've got 4 in all. I've got one in the style that Chuck makes for forging the space that it saves really makes it handy. No bumping into the horn or walking around a large stump. I've still got my Peter Wright for actual blacksmith work that needs a horn, then in the finish shop I have a Star anvil for straightening and rivet setting. Also it's a good conversation piece.

Dave from Diller
 
cdent said:
Hey Sam, try it first before you have buyers remorse:D.

Take care, Craig
Click to expand...

I DO NOT have buyer's remorse :D, I am VERY happy I was able to afford one before they are all gone.

I didn't have an anvil for a longtime, so I guess I feel a bit guilty if i have extra and am not using them when there are others who desperately need them.
 
Sam I'm a stock removal maker and have a 125# trenton, a 22# pin peening anvil, and before afreind talked me out of it a 480# can die. Like Nick and everyone else said you can't have too many tools. 3 years ago I was going to sell my 30 year old Olympic square wheel thank god I didn't cause now its laying on its side and one of my most useful grinders.
Ken.
 
Sam, spend the money... on one condition... that you buy the best tools that won't let you down... ... they'll pay for themself just as soon as you settle into the groove !
 
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