Anvil ID & fix up question

[FredlyFX]

Hi everyone. I too have an anvil question. I bought another anvil yesterday. It's a big one, easilly over 200lb, but I havn't weighed it yet.

I was hoping that some of you could take a look at it and help me identify it. I have put up a page on my web site with a bunch of pics and dimensions. It's at: FredlyFX.com anvil page All of the pictures are clickable links to ful size pictures.

I think it is a cast steel anvil that was a factory reject. What do you guys think? If it is, should I smoth out the face and use it as is, or should I try to weld on a tool steel face? I'm leaning towards flaten and use it as is.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

[Thomas Dean]

If this is cast steel you may be able to weld a face on it. I have a friend that welded a piece of grader blade on his wore out Hay Budden and it is a great anvil now. Not real sure how he did it tho....

[ThomasPowers]

As I reported over across the street, I think that this is a recent casting from Mexico as the mold line goes right through the face and horn. I don't know what alloy(s) they may be using but am interested in it's usability as they come by regularly at the local auction here in NM.

Thomas

[FredlyFX]

I think I'm going to grind the face flat and try to use it as is for a while to see what happens. I'll let you know how workable it is Thomas. I don't think I want to weld a face on it just yet. If it turns out it is way too soft then I may try that later.

[Víctor Zamora]

Hey Thomas, did you said Mexico? Can you tell me more about that? Please, please please. I don´t find a decent anvil factory in Mexico in many years.
Thank you, and Sorry, FredlyFX, for abuse your post.

[ThomasPowers]

I don't know about a factory; it just looks to me like they are from a small foundry that pours them out of what's left in the pot after their main runs---why I wonder about alloys used---may vary from run to run

As to being from Mexico the density of their appearence at fleamarkets and junk stores and auctions increases the closer you get to the border. Folks at such places are usually pretty close with their sources but I will ask as I see them---will probably be a while though.

I was wondering about some of the foundries right across from El Paso myself... BTW they are doing small swage blocks too!

Thomas

[Víctor Zamora]

For some moment, ilusion came to me.
What the he.. Thank you Thomas.!!

[FredlyFX]

Now that you mention it Thomas, the guy did say that he has a friend in AZ who gathers most of his old blacksmithing stock and brings it with during visits. So, it is very likely this came from AZ too, which would them make it also possible that it had come up from Mexico.

I will be talking to the guy Thursday, and will ask more about the history of the anvil.

[Dodge]

I does appear to be a casting, given the parting lines. If its good steel and it works, use it, is my philosophy. Works for my anvil cut from mild steel plate

[clang]

Fredly;
You did the right thing by not welding on it. Way too many usable anvils have been ruined that way........Clang