How much does size matter?

[goldenbolster]

I am about to purchase my first anvil. I have found a new 55# anvil for $25.00 and a 108# anvil for $99.00. Since I am new to forging i don't know which to buy. I don't have a big shop, 8x12 ft, so that might make a difference. Thanks for your help.


Stephen Reed

[Sweany]

Are those cast iron Harbor freight or ebay anvils??

If they are save your money. Buy the 110 lb russian anvil from Harbor freight.

Unless you are doing large stock reduction or welding big billets a 70lb anvil wouold do you.

Oh yeah Old world anvils has an abso-lutely sweet 66lber. I meet this guy, he's people. Smiths a little himself.

Old World

[GANNMADE]

you better jump on this now
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...291017829&rd=1

[Lane Ritter]

From what I can gather get the biggest you can afford. I have been on an anvil hunt for awhile now.

If I see one made in china it doesn't get a second look. I did a bounce test of sorts on the harbor freight larger anvil, 110 # i think. I was not impressed. My little railroad track anvil is much better than it.

I'm hesitant of buying an anvil on ebay. Most of them are painted to cover up weilds and such. One anvil about an hours drive from me, the seller wouldn't let me come look at it before bidding.

And then there is shipping, anything over 120 pounds or so gets kinda expensive.

The real problem is I want to pay no more than $200 total for an anvil. So that limits me mostly to local estate auctions, garage sales and ebay auctions within driving distance.

Lane

[goldenbolster]

The 55# is cast iron the 108# is Russian made, but I don'y know if it's cast iron. It's advertised as a blacksmith anvil made in russia. I like the old world 66# aswell does the wieght matter that much I'll only be making railroad spike knives to start then branch to small skinners and hunters. Eventually I want to start making damascus. After looking again its a 110# anvil Russian made of high carbon tempered steel. Its $99.00 is that a fair price? Its new.


Lane thats my problem too about $200. that includes shipping too so I'm still looking around for the right one.

Stephen Reed

[fitzo]

A good way to compare is look at the prices for the "high-priced spread" at Centaur Forge.

It is not terribly uncommon for an old anvil, such as a Haybudden, Peter Wright, or Fisher, to go for $4/lb if it is in good condition.

Thus, the cheaper fare are excellent prices. However, quality varies widely. And, of course, like most things, one tends to get what one pays for.

You should check Don Fogg's website, and see the hunk of steel he suggests for a knifemaker's anvil, before you purchase. A trip to the scrapyard may just save you a bunch of money.

Good luck on your "mission".

[GANNMADE]

see I tooooooooooold youuuuuuuu now it's gone

[paul harm]

i would go for the bigger one- you can do more with it, and it's not so heavy that you can't move it. the price sounds good, IF it has good rebound. you could always sell it for what you paid for it if it's not what you want. paul

[GANNMADE]

ooohhh you want a big one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...291118672&rd=1

[MongoForge]

Goldenbolster

Where abouts in Southern Il are you?
Just curious i grew up in Southern Mo
right across from So IL


2 best anvils i ever used, werent anvils in the
traditional sense..

1. was a railroad track machined flat with a
thick plate welded to the top "Dana Ackers"..

2. Was a monster chunk of steel. "Larry Harley's"

Both could be done for under $200.
maybe even a $100..

[goldenbolster]

MongoForge
I live in Benton about 20 miles south of Mt Vernon, but I grew up in Goreville about 40 miles south of Benton, Just south of Marion and not far from Carbondale where SIU is located. I would like to see pics of the anvils you mentioned I might be able to make one for myself. I spent the first 10 years of my life in St. Louis, well Hazelwood, with my mother. I moved to southern IL at 10 to live with my dad. I've been trying to find other makers in IL but as of yet I haven't found any. I posted a thread in the General Disscusion Area but no one has answered yet. Thanks for the responce.



Stephen Reed

[Sweany]

Chris has a map of makers somwhere. Hey Chris.

Check out shoptalk at bladeforums.com Buncha guys over there to.

[prizzim]

outdated as heck, but found here:
http://groups.msn.com/TidewaterForge...pgmarket=en-us

A guy on Primal Fires was culling a new list, and I'll plot it and post in the same space when we're done.



Just found out I'm managing and manning a 24/7 crisis center starting Tuesday, so my fun time is limited right now. Could be over in a month, or drag on to November too... ugh.