Let's talk about anvils

Justin Schmidt

Justin Schmidt

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
2,209
Well first off happy veterans day to my brothers and sisters that have served!!
Ok so I checked the sticky and didn't see anything. So I have a few questions about anvils.
Would a piece of railroad really work?
Are the HF 55# or grizzly 55# worth it?
New online or used from Craigslist?
What is a good weight to look for?
How much should you pay per pound?

I know that's a lot of questions but I thi k they're ones newbs (like myself) tend to thing about. We tend to be over zealous and think too much. Thanks gentleman
-Justin Schmidt
 
Do not buy any grizzly anvil. All of the grizzly, harbor freight and similar companies sell cast iron anvils. You do not want these. Make sure whatever anvil you are buying is not cast iron. They will literally crumble with hard use.

I have a foot long piece of rail track and it has worked OK for light forging. I think that it would be more effective if it had a more firm base.

I am waiting on a buddy to give me a call but I may be getting an anvil today from his neighbor. I think the best way to go is local, but it can take awhile. I was told by a blacksmith to tell absolutely everybody you meet that you are looking for an anvil and pray someone can help you out.

I think that for my forging needs, a 70 lb + would be fine. One thing to remember is a 70 lb anvil that has a large, firm log underneath it can do more than a 120 lb anvil that is wobbly.

hope this helps
 
Makes alot of sense. I don't plan in doing swords or anything mainly 7-10in hunters. Maybe a bowie way later
 
If you can make a knife with it, it's a good enough anvil. I started with a 20" long piece of RR track stood up on end. Made a great starter anvil until I found a "real" anvil I could afford.
 
I know guys that have been doing it for years and only have a hunk of metal from random machinery.

If you are interested it some rail track, I may be able to sell you a 2 ft piece. Just let me know.
 
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Would anyone trust this?
EXZtZ2n.jpg
 
Lol !Prognosis is not good.
But trust for what ? Keeping your rowboat from drifting away...?

Anyway, fwiw, about 18 years ago HF was selling Russian made 50kg cast steel anvils. They were not bad considering their price.
I bought a few & made swage blocks of. I expect they turn up second hand on the usual sources.
 
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after much research....I was about to execute an order on a Mathewson anvil, I got lucky and at the last minute scored a 246 Hay Budden in excellent condition at $4/lb, I'm pretty good at finding deals :-)

I think it's easy to spend $6 per lb or more right now
I'm a buy once, cry once kind of buyer.
I like good equipment and get the best I can afford and I've never regretted it.
and I if I ever need to sell, I get my same money back usually.
 
HSC /// said:
after much research....I was about to execute an order on a Mathewson anvil, I got lucky and at the last minute scored a 246 Hay Budden in excellent condition at $4/lb, I'm pretty good at finding deals :)

I think it's easy to spend $6 per lb or more right now
I'm a buy once, cry once kind of buyer.
I like good equipment and get the best I can afford and I've never regretted it.
and I if I ever need to sell, I get my same money back usually.
Click to expand...
I will agree with this. But my wife nor my budget Will! I'm just wanting to get into forging and kind of difficult to do without said anvil. I'll probably end up just using a piece of railroad and test that out in the mean time.

Side question. Is it "pointless" to do stock removal and NOT take advantage if "super steel " or stainless. If all were making is 10xx, 52100, 80crv2 etc why not just forge them. Kinda seems like it would be 2 strikes for buyers
 
I had found a cylinder of tool steel 6.25" x 6.5" on eBay a few years ago, worked well until I got a Peter Wright this past spring.

With shipping was less than $65., might be worth looking into.
 
DanF said:
I had found a cylinder of tool steel 6.25" x 6.5" on eBay a few years ago, worked well until I got a Peter Wright this past spring.

With shipping was less than $65., might be worth looking into.
Click to expand...

I was just looking into that actually.
I found a piece if 1x5x12 of 4140 what if I welded that to a piece of railroad that was bolted to some 4x4s? Would that work?
 
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