Anvil question

[Shield Arc]

When I seen that ad this morning, I spit my coffee all over the screen of my monitor.

I paid $25.00 for the one on the right.

 

[cqaigy2]

before I clicked on the second link I thought you were being serious. I was just thinking to myself "that doesn't see that great"

I did the exact same thing. Gee that sounds pretty expensive.

 

[dntfxr]

An old swayback anvil can still have plenty of usefulness. If it rings and rebounds well the face can be cleaned up. It will be much better than the cast harbor freight models. However I'd recommend a post type anvil for bladesmithing. I have a 2x6x 26" bar of steel mounted in a 100# of concrete so the 2x6 end is the face of the anvil. It is awesome even though it is only mild steel. The face will work harden after a little use. Do yourself a favor and check around with some big machine shops for any large scraps that may work. It will suit you better than any blacksmithing anvil.

 

[ray66v]

The price of anvils seems to have increased since I last checked.

However, I often get things for pennies on the dollar on Craigs list, etc. It's a matter of patience, and determination.

All these are just a few ads, or posts are about anvils bought or for sale in the $1-$2 /pound range, so they are out there:

55 lbs Anvil
Anvil for sale - Yakaz For sale (Scroll down to the last ad).
http://www.artmetal.com/blog/fred_zweig/2009/07/used_anvil
Craigslist score! anvil... - The Garage Journal Board
BLACK SMITH ANVIL AND VISE
old anvil

 

[Baby Grand]

Get this book and read it before you buy an anvil:
Amazon.com: New Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for the Blacksmith (9781879535091): Jack Andrews: Books
You will be glad you did.

 

[deereman75]

Oh ya, I'm fine, just haven't got around to being on much this summer. I have finally got used to the new format of the Site, so I have no reason to be on.
Edit, this was supposed to be a reply to weldermike, I guess I'm not used to the new layout yet...

 

[weldermike]

Oh ya, I'm fine, just haven't got around to being on much this summer. I have finally got used to the new format of the Site, so I have no reason to be on.
Edit, this was supposed to be a reply to weldermike, I guess I'm not used to the new layout yet...

I cant figure out the format either,lol. I just use my phone, nice and simple

 

[deereman75]

I cant figure out the format either,lol. I just use my phone, nice and simple

My laptop is busted, so I am having to use the blackberry tablet I got for note taking for everything. So if you ever see me type something that makes no sense at all, or sentences split where they shouldn't be, it is a combination of a touch screen keyboard, and auto correct... Just in this post alone, I had to fix auto correct 5 times. The upside is I can be posting during class.

 

[cqaigy2]

An old swayback anvil can still have plenty of usefulness. If it rings and rebounds well the face can be cleaned up. It will be much better than the cast harbor freight models. However I'd recommend a post type anvil for bladesmithing. I have a 2x6x 26" bar of steel mounted in a 100# of concrete so the 2x6 end is the face of the anvil. It is awesome even though it is only mild steel. The face will work harden after a little use. Do yourself a favor and check around with some big machine shops for any large scraps that may work. It will suit you better than any blacksmithing anvil.

This sounds like a great idea!

 

[deereman75]

I remember Another version of that where you use the end of a piece of train rail in the same way. I might try that, seeing as I have a piece that weighs about 200-250#, it would act like a 400# anvil due to all the weight being right under the face. I have quite a nice train rail anvil that will do for now, but I would like to figure something better out soon though. Although there is a fully equipped blacksmith shop about 5 mins away from my house I have access to, so I am not in too much of a rush. The downside is I have been spoiled with a 400-500# anvil there, so almost everything else seems like a compromise.

An old swayback anvil can still have plenty of usefulness. If it rings and rebounds well the face can be cleaned up. It will be much better than the cast harbor freight models. However I'd recommend a post type anvil for bladesmithing. I have a 2x6x 26" bar of steel mounted in a 100# of concrete so the 2x6 end is the face of the anvil. It is awesome even though it is only mild steel. The face will work harden after a little use. Do yourself a favor and check around with some big machine shops for any large scraps that may work. It will suit you better than any blacksmithing anvil.