Should I buy it?

Thats plenty big enough, I have a 90 lbs robinson and I wouldnt trade it for anything. 400 seems decent to me but I look at it as a one time expense. The resurfacing would scare me tho! I would look for something different that has an original face
 
WOW! That thing is in great shape. Edited to add: I just saw it was resurfaced. I'd check into how it was done and who did it. That can make all the difference in the world. And yes, 157 is plenty big for bladesmith work and even a good bit of heavier blacksmith work.

--nathan
 
they are great! i picked up a 175# peter wright for 200 bucks. i need a stand tho.

157# will be better than a rail road tie!

good luck

jake
 
okzj, if you do end up getting it and decide it isn't for you I may be interested. I'll be in Tulsa for the KGA knife show Aug. 29th.

SDS
 
My 2cents, take it for what it's worth:

Re-surfacing may simply mean it has been surface ground to remove the dings and accumulated wear of the years. Ask.
I have a 120 lb PW that was surface ground and the edges radiused. It is an excellent anvil I used for 20 years.
Take a ball bearing when you look at it and, if it has good rebound, jump on it. That's only $2.55 per pound, a great price for an old anvil with a great face and edges.

BTW, if it's on a metal stand, shitcan that and either get a good stump or build a stand out of glued-and-screwed 2x12s. I mounted my stack of 2x12's on a 4x4" sheet of plywood so it was stable, yet you could spin it around to face whichever direction you wanted.
 
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Jake, it may just be personal preference, but I feel that a wood stand provides better rebound, less tiring. I've used one and didn't like the feel, though it wasn't an anvil I was used to. Stumps are considered the best stand because of the spring. I can't remember if it is hickory or elm, but one was even more preferable because of the that characteristic. Mass under the anvil is always a good thing, too.
Some folks, when they build a wood stand out of lumber, use 4x4's and stand them vertically and band a bunch together. Apparently, having the grain lengthwise improves that springiness more. Seems to make sense, logically.
 
thanks for the reply. i need to make a stand.... out here there arent alot of trees on the prarie to get a stump from and what there trees there are mostly cotton wood

thanks

jake
 
strahd71 said:
fitzo,

would you mind explaining why a metal stand is bad?

thanks

jake
Click to expand...

Metal isn't necessarily bad. You need something of sufficient mass and the right density, toughness and shock absorption - wood is pretty close to ideal for this. Designing and building something in steel that would be as good can be a bit of a challenge.

Most of the old anvils I've seen were simply mounted on a hardwood stump which allowed them to be moved around. The one in the metalshop of the building in which I used to work was mounted on a solid cast steel base bolted onto the 12" reinforced concrete floor. I presume the base came with the anvil as it was a precise fit.
 
You're welcome, Jake.
Others will have different opinions, but I would recommend building one out of wood. A stack of 2x12's won't be real cheap, but the nice thing about it is you can leave the top couple layers just screwed on with deck screws, and if you make it too high, it is easily adjusted.
Getting your anvil set up properly will save you problems with bones later in life. Too many people don't pay attention to the mechanics, being ten foot tall and bulletproof in their youth and forgetting the accumulated wear and tear in later years.

PS, when I criticized a metal stand, I was speaking specifically of those lightweight four-legged affairs you see for sale at a place like Centaur that are made of angle iron. A huge block of steel would probably work fine. I think it's Stacy who has a huge anvil as the base for a smaller one.
Some people mount anvils in chopped-off 55 gallon barrels filled with sand.
 
Fitzo i was thinking of using 1/2 inch plate with 1/4 thick walled 2x2 tubing. in your opinion would this be stout enough? i do understand what you mean about the centaur stands they do look pretty light weight. if it makes a difference i have a 175 pound anvil

thanks again

jake
 
For your reference, here's the stand I built for my anvil. 2x12's screwed and glued with all thread rods squeezing the entire stack at four points:

IMG_0206.jpg


--Nathan
 
Jake,

Listen to Fitz! In my experience, metal stands for an anvil are nothing more than a built in handicap. Most of the time when you see an anvil on a metal stand, its because the individual doesn't know any better, or its strictly for portability. Unless its done in a very specific manner, it will increase the "ring" to beyond tolerance, and will deaden the anvil's "action". (the anvil's ability to transfer energy into the work piece)

I had a scrounge a bit, but I managed to get my hands on a 12' long 8"x8" bridge timber here in Great Falls.....I cut 4pcs of equal length, stood them together on end, and used rough cut 2x8s to frame them in at the top and bottom. That stand has been supporting my #300 Trenton anvil for a dozen years now. All of my anvils are also chained around the waist(s), and held to the stands with 3/4'X10" lag bolts. Having an anvil "tied down" tightly will also aid in its usability.
 
ok guys wood it is! thanks for all the info.
oh and i wasnt arguing at all i was just wondering if what i was thinking of using would have any chance of working.

knife making the more ya learn the less you know!

thanks guys

jake
 
Nathan, that's a nice stand!

Jake, I am glad to read you will go with a wood stand. I understand you're not arguing, just seeking knowledge by asking questions. I have thought awhile about your idea for plate-and-tubing and don't have an answer that would be any better than a guess. My gut says no, and I agree with Ed about essentially making a bell stand. Not good.

One thing is certain: a good base has a great deal to do with how well your anvil will work for you. Wood is an established performer. One thought I had is to check the cost of landscape timbers or RR tie. It might be cheaper than using finished lumber, I'm not sure.

Good luck.
 
Keep yer eyes open for porches and decks being put up. Good way to get lotsa scraps (4x4,2x8-10-12s)
 
I love my metal stand! It hasnt had any ill effects as far as I'm concerned. I used a semi truck rim some large plate and some large diameter pipe as well. Here is a pic of my son at my forge tending the fire for me. The anvil is a 150lb (14 stone) Peter Wright. I've used stump mounted and steel and cant tell a difference anyway. The rebound is enough that I've had to dodge the hammer a few times :eek: :D

4583_109054925241_625615241_2718413_1023603_n.jpg


Jason
 
SDS said:
okzj, if you do end up getting it and decide it isn't for you I may be interested. I'll be in Tulsa for the KGA knife show Aug. 29th.

SDS
Click to expand...

SDS, go for it. My request for funding has been denied by the Spousal Budget Administration.
 
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