200# Blacksmith's Anvil

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A neighbor up the river has an old, old anvil he wants to sell.  I really don't need it, but to have an anvil that weighs 200 pounds would be really neat.  He doesn't want that much for it, but I am reluctant since it is painted.  I can't very well ask him to remove the paint so I can see if it has ever been cracked and repaired... that would be like calling him a crook.  So, I am asking you guys what you think.  I will try to upload a pic of it and let you see what you think.Here it is Attached Images
Reply:Price?We want to see something like this in the signature line:Lincoln Ranger 250Miller Auto-Darkening Elite HelmetLincoln 100Lincoln MigMiller Spectrum 375Craftsman 8 galllon gas powered compressorLongevity 200amp Tig Welder LT-200D
Reply:From the picture, it does appear to be an old one with an applied steel 'deck'. However, the tip of the horn appears to have been chopped off by the camera, the 'ring' when I tapped it with my pencil doesn't come through as clearly as I'd expect, and I'd also bet it can't be an ounce over  # 198.6,not counting the paint.If you can arrange shipping to me, I'd be glad to do a more thorough  examination; I already have about 7 to compare it to!
Reply:Bill,Anvils in decent shape have been steadily going for $2 a pound, despite the economy.  If the anvil is less than $1 a pound, it is almost certainly worth more should you change your mind and want to sell it later.I am going up to the annual Quad State in Troy Ohio, put on by Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil (SOFA) at the end of this month.  There are always a hundred or more anvils for sale there, and invariable two or three collectors come through and buy almost all the good ones before the trailers are even parked.  I'm not sure why, since the European style two-horn anvil is much preferable for forging, in my opinion.At any rate, it looks like a decent anvil and if you want to do forging on it, go for it.  I know of at least one very high-end blacksmith within 70 miles or so of you, and I'm sure he can't connect you with others.Seriously, you may find that forging hot metal is a safer option for you given your pacer.  There is no high-current hazard, but you might get awfully addicted.  And the anvil is the only tool you pretty much have to buy.  The rest of the blacksmith shop can be made or scavenged until you can get the stuff you really want.EMT-P, USN (retarded), part-time blacksmithLTEC & Linde Heliarc 250 HF, Millermatic 185,Victor/Uniweld O/A and propanelathes/mills/shapers/power hammers/etc
Reply:Originally Posted by Stack of DimesPrice?
Reply:Originally Posted by Ed ThomasBill,Anvils in decent shape have been steadily going for $2 a pound, despite the economy.  If the anvil is less than $1 a pound, it is almost certainly worth more should you change your mind and want to sell it later.I am going up to the annual Quad State in Troy Ohio, put on by Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil (SOFA) at the end of this month.  There are always a hundred or more anvils for sale there, and invariable two or three collectors come through and buy almost all the good ones before the trailers are even parked.  I'm not sure why, since the European style two-horn anvil is much preferable for forging, in my opinion.At any rate, it looks like a decent anvil and if you want to do forging on it, go for it.  I know of at least one very high-end blacksmith within 70 miles or so of you, and I'm sure he can't connect you with others.Seriously, you may find that forging hot metal is a safer option for you given your pacer.  There is no high-current hazard, but you might get awfully addicted.  And the anvil is the only tool you pretty much have to buy.  The rest of the blacksmith shop can be made or scavenged until you can get the stuff you really want.
Reply:The guy with the anvil just emailed me and said he will take $100 for the anvil.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Reply:Buy it BillThey come in handy many times and you will find that you will use it way more then you think you will. I can't imagine not having one.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Sounds like dig out a c-note to me Bill. I have no problem making decisions... especially with other folks money!
Reply:If I only knew why the damn thing is painted?
Reply:My wife just came in here and handed me $100.  Is that sweet, or what?
Reply:Did you ask him if it has been fixed and that is why its painted???? Never hurts to ask since you already know the price has come down by $100Very nice of the wife !! You'll have to reward herCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterDid you ask him if it has been fixed and that is why its painted???? Never hurts to ask since you already know the price has come down by $100Very nice of the wife !! You'll have to reward her
Reply:Originally Posted by specterVery nice of the wife !! You'll have to reward her
Reply:Hey Stack,You would not believe this woman!  I know she is mentally impaired, because she married me.  My Mom calls her an angel.  She wants nothing, I mean nothing for herself.  She never argues.  If I raise my voice at her, she tears (as in lacrimal glands) up.  No one, I mean no one has a sweeter wife.Damn it!  A feller needs to get mad at his wife once in a while... it is driving me CRAZY.She is the best, mentally impaired or not.And I love her.
Reply:Definitely buy it !   I haven't seen mine in four years and just hearing you make up your mind makes me want to take a trip just to see it. (Mine is in Puerto Rico & I'm in Florida)SeaBee (BobR)Lincoln SP-180TEutectic 300 amp !00% duty cycle, constant current&amperageDoes MiG, stick and scratch TiG;  Best stick mach I ever used.250 lb AnvilF350 Crew CabBarn
Reply:Originally Posted by Bill S.Hey Stack,You would not believe this woman!  I know she is mentally impaired, because she married me.  My Mom calls her an angel.  She wants nothing, I mean nothing for herself.  She never argues.  If I raise my voice at her, she tears (as in lacrimal glands) up.  No one, I mean no one has a sweeter wife.Damn it!  A feller needs to get mad at his wife once in a while... it is driving me CRAZY.She is the best, mentally impaired or not.And I love her.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bill S. She never argues.  If I raise my voice at her, she tears (as in lacrimal glands) up.
Reply:Originally Posted by SeabeeDefinitely buy it !   I haven't seen mine in four years and just hearing you make up your mind makes me want to take a trip just to see it. (Mine is in Puerto Rico & I'm in Florida)
Reply:Originally Posted by KHKIt sounds like you are talking about MY wife!!!Any way Take a good sized hammer and hit the anvil.  If ti has been repaired or cracked, it will not sing.   The noise that comes foo the anvil will tell the story!
Reply:Originally Posted by Stack of DimesATTA BOY!!!Only have to tell them once or twice, then it becomes second-nature for 'em to start crying.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bill S.   Hey, what is the smile all about?  Is that makeup?
Reply:I just called the guy... he emailed me earlier and told me he would take $100 for it.  I gave him my song and dance about my bad heart and asked him why he painted it green.  He said he just had some paint left over from another job and painted it.  I asked him if he broke it in half and welded it back together... laugh... laugh.  He laughed and said no, he didn't.  I asked him if he would take $20 for it and he said he didn't think so, but he said he would take what he had in it, which is $50.Question: If it doesn't go piiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg when I hit it with a hammer, do I still give him $50 for it?Oh yeah... he said he thinks it actually weighs a little OVER 200 pounds.
Reply:In my oponion, If it does not sing it is good for a boat anchor!!keith The older the boys, the more expensive the TOYS!!Previous owned;Linde 300 Amp welderMiller Gas drv welder, Tumbstone,Dayton Miller ac to dc converter,High frequency unitLongevity LS60PCurrrently owned;Longevity WeldAll 200PI
Reply:Sorry, Bill; I just offered him $62.51 and he took it! Now, I just have to figure out how to get there in the next ten minutes.....Seriously, though; the paint might be just because it was always getting rusty from the humidity and he got tired of cleaning it off all the time, or maybe he just likes green.If it is broken, it will give a dull thud rather than a ringing...but for $50, I'd probably take it anyway and fix it myself somehow. It would be worth that just as an antique in many places, and would still have some uses if it were cracked, which it won't be. Go For It!You might try to get to know the fellow, and do something for him later...since you're essentially getting a real steal of a  steel  cast iron hunk.I'm supposed to meet him at 4:00 tomorrow and wrap the deal up.  If it doesn't sing (ping) when I hit it, at least I have an old cruiser I am restoring and trying to get in the water next spring (chasing the BIG catfish).  Heck, you can't get a nice boat anchor for $50...no tax!I think this guy is honest... he told me that if I was going to use it for really fine work that I may want to do a little grinding on the top.  I love to grind... oh boy!Maybe I'll be able to add a kickass anvil to my signature.
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2Sorry, Bill; I just offered him $62.51 and he took it! Now, I just have to figure out how to get there in the next ten minutes.....Seriously, though; the paint might be just because it was always getting rusty from the humidity and he got tired of cleaning it off all the time, or maybe he just likes green.If it is broken, it will give a dull thud rather than a ringing...but for $50, I'd probably take it anyway and fix it myself somehow. It would be worth that just as an antique in many places, and would still have some uses if it were cracked, which it won't be. Go For It!You might try to get to know the fellow, and do something for him later...since you're essentially getting a real steal of a  steel  cast iron hunk.
Reply:That anvil looks exactly like my 125# one in my shop. It rings so loud I have to keep magnets stuck under the horn. Several farriers around here are always trying to talk me out of it. I think you are getting a hell of a deal.
Reply:I sure hope you're right, Bob.  Hey, 125# would be ok. Just so happens this is what is available.Thanks...
Reply:Screaming, I say screaming good deal. As long as it doesn't plum break in two you can't go wrong. Don't worry about grinding the face they're still very usable with a lot more saddle back than that. Take your hammer (I'd take at least a 2 or 3 lb short handled sledge or cross peen) and a pocket knife. Look closely at the tip of the horn, the corner of the heel nearest the hardie and pritchard holes, and the tips of the feet, that's where most breaks occur.if you see anything fishy scrape a little paint and any repair will be evident. The other poster who mentioned $2/lb was dead on for a good used anvil. I've seen some really nice ones 'round here for $3/lb.If you want a smaller one bring it here and I'll swap you even for my 140 #-er.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:I'll know more this afternoon... I'll post my findings here tonight.  Gotta get that green paint off, though... burn it off?  brush it off?
Reply:Do not burn it off !!!  Anvils are tempered and too much heat could ruin it.  Also, just because it doesn't ring does not mean its no good.  Some anvils were cast iron with a tool steel top welded on and won't ring.  take pictures of any markings on it and post them on http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/ and the kind folks there may be able to give you an approximate age and value.MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:There are loads of beginning smiths beating on railroad track dreaming of that deal.
Reply:Bill,I have been a member of the iforge forum since its beginning and check in there fairly often.  You will get decent advice there and, just like any other forum, a whole bunch of well-intentioned advice from people who want to help but maybe shouldn't be trying so hard just yet.    You have to read and pay attention as you go.I have worked all day with other blacksmiths on a $3 anvil broken so much that all that was left of the top plate was about 4" x 4" and a remnant of the horn.  It was plenty enough for what we needed.  You are getting a complete tool for about 1/8 its probable selling price at a tailgate.Take it outside, and wirebrush the paint off with an angle grinder cup brush or wire wheel (using eye,ear, and hand protection of course).  You will find stamped markings that will give you the weight which has to be deciphered (let us know and we can convert it for you), and the manufacturer.  That is a "London Pattern" anvil, and probably a Peter Wright, Trenton, or Hay Budden... my guesses are in that order.  There are others that look close, particularly some Swedish anvils, which are VERY good.As far as not having the ticker to do forging... try it anyway.  True blacksmithing is not a muscle sport.  It is more about finesse.  If you get iron/steel very hot (butter yellow to near white) it is easy to work.  You just have to pace yourself and ease into things.  Use a modest sized hammer and do small satisfying things.  There are many people deep into their 70's and 80's still blacksmithing and doing wonderful work, some of them with questionable tickers also.If you get the anvil and want to see what I'm talking about, I'll see what I can find out about a blacksmithing group near you to go visit.  All I've found so far is this link:http://www.appaltree.net/aba/index.htm... but I think there are closer members.  I live about 260 miles east of you.  If you get hooked over the next two weeks, then you should consider attending the annual Ohio event I mentioned.  You will have a great time and learn a bundle.  Spouses go along also if their schedules allow and always have just as much fun.Keep us posted on your green find.  Heck, I like that color myself.  EMT-P, USN (retarded), part-time blacksmithLTEC & Linde Heliarc 250 HF, Millermatic 185,Victor/Uniweld O/A and propanelathes/mills/shapers/power hammers/etc
Reply:Well, I got the anvil home... sort of.  It is still in the trunk of my wife's car. (My truck is up on jacks.)  And... I guess I'll have to have a buddy bring his cherry picker over (Heck, I gave it to him in a weak moment.) so I can get the thing out of the truck.  Apparently it is more than 200#... he said he isn't really sure how much it weighs.  He had to use a backhoe to load it in the car.  I guess I am really getting old... I thought I could have loaded that thing by myself... oh well.Going to check on gettng some sections of RR track this weekend.  May or may not work.  Gotta talk to my wife's cousin... he runs a RR track maintenance company and is under contract to BNSF for this part of WV.  I'll let y'all (you all) know how it comes out.Bill
Reply:Hey my wife is not so nice. Can I buy the anvil? I might take the wife on a cruise up 13 mile creek! Do you think the local caves are safer?
Reply:Nothing wrong with 13-mile creek.  But hold off on the cruise... the fish are not biting right now.  Do you plan on cruising all the way up to the Brownsville Bottom Bridge?
Reply:How deep is the water? I don't want her to be seen chained to the anvil if the river runs low. I did not know the bridge had a name "Brownsville Bottom Bridge" sounds good. My folks live on one of the hills above Brownsville. I did not grow up in WV so I really don't know anyone in Mason county except mom and dads friends. My mom is from Jackson County WV
Reply:13-Mile Creek is not deep... maybe 6' in the deep spots and maybe 30' wide (in the wide spots) but the Kanawha is fairly deep... some spots are over 30' deep.I used to substitute teach for the Jackson County Board of Education.  I spent most of my time at Ravenswood Middle School, but spent some time at the other schools also.Have a good day and give your wife a break... you may find that you can't live without her one day.Bill
Reply:I'm just having fun she is a keeper. Plus she is watching me type this.
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsI'm just having fun she is a keeper. Plus she is watching me type this.
Reply:I'm the king of run on sentences.
Reply:Finally weighed the anvil today... 292.6 pounds.One heavy piece of metal!