new guy question, equipment

S

synghyn

Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
616
Hi there guys, new guy here
So I'm getting into this, been wanting to do it for years. I'm looking at equipment, mostly on ebay. I've been warned off of cast iron anvils, but the deals are there, any thoughts on these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41369&item=8157248611&rd=1
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13869&item=6141641132&rd=1
Just a couple examples, of course they are all over the place on there. Cost is a major consideration, but I don't want to get stuck with junk either.
So any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks guys
Jon
 
i got my 125 lb anvil off of ebay (by it now!) :) 50 and 30 arnt enough lbs(it will bounce) either the stuff on ebay is a total ripp of or it is sometimes thers some really good stuff dirt cheap.
 
Jon, I would definately stay away from the cast iron anvils. They are not suitable for extended use. They will dent, chip, and crack. The size is also small, and will bounce around and be generally innaficient and annoying. They also don't offer much in the way of rebound. (which saves much wear and tear on your muscles).
My advice: Get the biggest cleanest(flat, smooth face, decent edges) cast steel or wrought iron with steel face anvil you can afford. They are out there. You have to be patient, stash come money aside bit by bit and haunt the local antique shops, flea markets, want ad digests, news paper classifieds etc. Look anywhere that has old tools. Keep your eyes open and you will start to see them occasionally. A dollar a pound is a really good deal these days. 2-3 is more likely, but I paid 60.00 for my first 145 lb anvil.....
Check out anvilfire.com They have a lot of information that will give you a basic education on getting an anvil. The quality and size of the anvil really does make a great difference in your forging experience.
Having said that, the cheap chinese ASO (anvil shaped object) beats forging on a flat rock and is what I started out with till I could find/afford a more suitable piece of steel. If youve got some money, get a real anvil. If not get the ASO and start pounding away and saving your pennies.
Happy hunting and good luck,
Ed
 
Good info guys, thanks.
Weight wise, I can add weight(either bolt on or welding), I am more worried about the usability of the anvil. And I kinda figured that if all else failed, it would get me started and maybe I'd use it for hammer ins etc later on, a travel anvil if you will. BUt no the info on cast or steel faced is really useful and I'll check out that website.
oh and how about this then?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13869&item=6143327713&rd=1
Another question, anybody in Chattanooga TN area who might feel like helping a new guy out a little, I'd love to work with someone and get my feet wetter.
Thanks again.
Jon
 
Forged steel $30 stake anvil is more of a deal than that, and is stronger, and can be used more.
 
see if you can just watch someone in work- it eleminates thousands of misguiding "facts" and ideas.
 
I appreciate the advice, Anvilfire is a heck of a resource, somehow I hadn't found that one yet(odd, I have a huge favorites list dedicated to knives and knifemaking). Last post there, finding someone to work with or at least watch, yep hoping to. Anybody in the Chattanooga TN area want a spectator or helper, student, whatever? I'm looking around and I'll see what I find, any further advice would be great. Incidentally, I do have abid in on that last posted ebay link, any thoughts as to wheather I should keep pursueing it?

Thanks Ya'll
Jon
 
If it's the real deal, stick with it up too $150 then change to the next- that's a great deal.
 
Certainly hope so, not that it means that much on ebay but he has great feedback. And he said I could pick it up in person if I wanted, which is a really good sign, so I'm hopeful. Looks to be cast steel with a tool steel face, should work well enogh, any thoughts before I commit(real soon) :D

Thanks
Jon
 
the gentleman selling the anvil is going to be in TN this weekend(handy little coincidence that, no?), so I have a little bit shorter trip, still about 3.5 hours one way but better than 6.
So I will have an anvil by tommorow night(SAT), I am planning on picking up the supplies to build the forge this weekend as well(basic, well probably 2 brick) forge, with your basic propane torch to start out with. I was thinking about kind of tounge and grooving the bricks together, any thoughts on that, worth the time and effort?
Just need some hammers and tongs and I'm in business. I figure 1-2 basic 2-3 lb sledge type hammers will get me started at least and some pliers with extended handles for tongs. Better equipment as money and time allows. I gotta say, I am more excited than I remember being at christmas when I was a kid. I've been wanting to get into this for years. Wish me luck on the road trip and getting started. Anybody in TN, wanna help with a little advice in person?
Jon
 
I honestly wouldn't recomend a sledge hammer. Go for a cross pein or two and a ball pein. Your choices generally should be 1.5lb 2lb 3lb. The sledges problem is the lack of versitility, but a crosspein is an emergency fuller. Anyways, good luck!
 
I'm home with a 110lb anvil(seven pounds lighter than my wife:) ) and a 3lb cross pein hammer(found at True Value?!?)
Doing a light drop test on it(I just read about it, got the basic idea but not too sure what I'm looking for) let the head of the cross pein fall from about 5 inches, bounced back up about three to three and a half, sounded great, bright clear ring with a little sustain. Other than it sounding how I understand it is supposed to, and the bounce seemed good, any other advise?
With any luck I'll get out to get some refractory brick and some other supplies tommorrow and maybe be set up to try my hand next weekend.

Jon
:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top