star anvil

B

bjalongi

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
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Are old star anvils any good? I believe they were known as American Star, or Star American.

I am scheduled to go look at an old 100 pounder that's for sale for $100. Is it even worth looking at, or are/were they the cheap quality?

I believe it will look like this: http://www.blackiron.us/graphics/star-anvil.jpg
But I won't know for sure until I look at it.

I'd rather save an hour of my life and not look at it if it's probably junk. Something tells me I'll have to decide when I see it, otherwise I'll loose out; so, I probably won't be able to post pics for everyone to comment on before making a purchase.
 
Looks good to me, go for it! Looks wrought bodied with a tool steel face to me, definately worth it.
 
Can't tell by the pictures. Check the table if it is solid and take a 1" ball bearing or small bal pein with you to check bounce. Even if it is dead for $100 it does not seem too bad. Just looked at 6 or 7 at a "Antique" dealer priced $3/lb minimum some as high as $7. Tings were cheap though $12 each but they only had 2 worth buying.

Chuck
 
Yeah I'll go along with what Chuck said. For $100 I'd still buy it even if the rebound is poor. Just make sure the working face is reasonably flat and not cracked...
 
The American Star is cast iron body with a tool steel top. Take a good steel rule with you to check for a dip or sway in the face. Lay the rule(r) from tail to horn.

Matt
 
So long as the face isn't all horrid and it's at least got decent rebound, I'd buy it. That would be a great starter anvil and $100 for one is nearly unheard of anymore. That would sell at a farm auction around here for about $300 to an antique dealer. Which, no, it's not worth THAT much, but I can promise you it would sell for that much.

I forgot to ask.... are you any relation to "Mrs. Alongi," as in the high school teacher Claudia???

I grew up in Winlock and graduated in '96. I moved back after the whole college experience and my job as a personal trainer in Vancouver.
 
Thanks Tom. I'm going to look at it tomorrow, so I'll let you know.

Nick, she is my Aunt... Small world, eh... :) You graduated in 96! I graduated in 95, after we moved to Olympia. I'll bet we had recess together as kids, and never knew it.

I'm sure it's better than the cast iron anvil I currenlty have. I'm most worried about the edges, she mumbled something about them on the phone this morning.
 
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