My First Anvil

[FrontierSmith]

Hi, I'm a bit new here. I'm 14, and after trying to blacksmith without the proper tools, I decided I really needed a proper anvil.

I grabbed a somewhat smaller anvil that I could make part of a portable or semi-permanent setup. This anvil was actually unknowingly bought from another blacksmith that made some videos on youtube that I've watched. Anyways, here is the anvil:

It is a double-horn, but not like any Peddinghaus I've seen. Note that the hole's positions on a typical peddinghaus or double horn would be on the opposite sides.

The only visible marking is a number "20", indicating that it is 20kg (Approximately 45 lbs)

The hardy and pritchel holes are 2cm in diameter (0.78 Inches), and they both run down through the anvil into the bottom.

It rings like a bell, and when I drop a half-inch ball bearing, it jumps back just about the way it came. It is a very glassy loud sound.

 

Please try and identify it, I've been experiencing some technical difficulties with the website when I wanted to originally post an identification thread at Christmas time.

Thanks

 

[FrontierSmith]

looks like a french pig anvil to me, very nice anvil!

 

​That's what I thought. I saw some examples of pig anvils, but none beared the odd holes that go straight through. The closest I've come to finding an anvil like it is this picture from Alibaba. Alibaba is a cheap Chinese wholesale site where ASO's are made, and the ad listings tend to be stolen pictures or stock photos. The picture given is some sort of advertisement they put together using a picture of a cast iron ASO, a peddinghaus, some other unknown anvil, and that light blue one that is strikingly similar to mine in shape.

[Charles R. Stevens]

Old world caries one like that as well 

 

[matei campan]

it's more an Italian pattern anvil than French, the Italians have the pritchel hole at the beginning of the round horn and the hardy hole towards the square horn.

here's one similar to yours: http://www.bassoli.it/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=74

and some older ones: http://www.tuttocoltelli.it/public/phpBB3.1/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9010

http://www.150digit.it/incudine_perrin_1909.php?zoom=1

just google the word "incudine" (anvil, in Italian) and you'll see more of them.

the French pig anvils may look similar looking from distance, but are quiet different, here is one: http://coustil.free.fr/atelier_outils_gb.html

if you want to see lots of French anvils, just visit: http://www.leboncoin.fr/annonces/offres/ile_de_france/occasions/?f=a&th=1&q=enclume, there are thousands, just scroll through the pages.

anyway, if it rings like a bell and has a good rebound, it may not be just an ASO, but an usable anvil. you have just to bolt it tight to a massive base, I mean "bolt", not just bent nails over the feet.

 

Edited February 26, 2015 by matei campan

[FrontierSmith]

it's more an Italian pattern anvil than French, the Italians have the pritchel hole at the beginning of the round horn and the hardy hole towards the square horn.

here's one similar to yours: http://www.bassoli.it/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=74

and some older ones: http://www.tuttocoltelli.it/public/phpBB3.1/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9010

http://www.150digit.it/incudine_perrin_1909.php?zoom=1

just google the word "incudine" (anvil, in Italian) and you'll see more of them.

the French pig anvils may look similar looking from distance, but are quiet different, here is one: http://coustil.free.fr/atelier_outils_gb.html

if you want to see lots of French anvils, just visit: http://www.leboncoin.fr/annonces/offres/ile_de_france/occasions/?f=a&th=1&q=enclume, there are thousands, just scroll through the pages.

anyway, if it rings like a bell and has a good rebound, it may not be just an ASO, but an usable anvil. you have just to bolt it tight to a massive base, I mean "bolt", not just bent nails over the feet.

 

​Yep. The one pictured in the photo I last provided is made in Italy by a company named Ariex. The company offers both black and blue versions, and a version in 20kg. I'm pretty sure that this is mine. Thanks!

[MAD MAX]

I don't know what it is, but I am sure some of these guys will know. But What I have to say is that make sure you mount it real good. Preferably to a heavy block of wood of some type. I would think that a steel stand wouldn't work so well with an anvil this light. Happy pounding!

[arkie]

Have fun with your new anvil!  There are COUNTLESS ways to secure your anvil to stabilize it and reduce ringing.  Here is a photo of how I secured my 168# Hay Budden.  I made a block-type base so I could slide a two-wheel dolly under it without it rolling off to the side and make it semi-portable.  I used a piece of heavy chain bolted down tight with big washers and 6" lag bolts on both sides.  Simple yet effective, solid as a rock, no ringing.  Stumps work great, too.  I'm sure others will post their tie-down system for you to consider.  Some folks stick large magnets to the anvil side to reduce ringing.

 

Edited February 27, 2015 by arkie

[ThomasPowers]

If making a wooden base I suggest running the blocks vertically to cut down on the number of interfaces all with a bit of give in them.  Takes the same amount of wood and increases rigidity.

[arkie]

Thomas, I agree fully.  The reason mine are horizontal is that my anvil is outside, on gravel and even though under cover, is susceptible to water being more readily absorbed if the end grain is down.  I originally started to run the wood vertical but did it this way for that reason.

What one can't see is that all the 4x4's are lag bolted together inside.  That puppy is like a big brick!