njanvilman

Read the posts on this site. This question has been asked many many times. Look everywhere, ask everyone you know, post want ads, EBAY, join a local blacksmithing group. Anvils are not that hard to find.

Kolby Spend a day and read through the thousands of posts on this site. There is a wealth of knowledge here. There are many posts about finding anvils and blacksmithing equipment.

Hey Stu Thanks for those pictures of the shop. Lots of line shafts and heavy machinery. My kind of place.

I will assume that the question was meant for me. My collection was put together over 20 years. I had a few anvils before Postman's book came out in 1998. After that, anvils suddenly had a provenance. He taught me about the manufacturers and history. After I fell into the Fisher archives, my quest became one to put together the most comprehensive FISHER collection out there. This has not been a cheap endevour. I have records for most of my puchases, but I have never added up the cost. And never will. Just keep looking everywhere, buy what you can afford, and have extras for "trading" stock. One never knows what others will want and be willing to trade with you.

There were at lest 250 anvils there for sale last year. And LOTS more. Save your money for a 'real' anvil. I went for the first time last year, and will be back every year in the future. (And it is a 600 mile drive each way!)

1. A good MIG welder 2. A magnetic base portable drill. So handy when the work is too big or heavy to get onto a drill press. 3. A big powerhammer of over 100 lb moving weight.

We all have to start somewhere. Practice, practice and more practice.

I am not sure that the New Mexico collection has ever been refered to as a "Museum". I do, as I have everything set up on display in a logical viewing order. To see old photos of my setup, Google fisher museum, NJ. Somehow, I will get current photos to the net. The ones on there are over 6 years old.

I wish that I could afford more of the FISHER anvils that I am missing from my collection. I have lost more on EBay and other sales and auctions than I have bought. Luckily, I have the means and location to have built my collection to what it is today. I am proud of what I have accomplished during the last 15 years. This has been a passion that has grown over time. Anyone can find an anvil out there. Craigslist, EBay, farm auctions, garage sales, and word of mouth will lead to many anvils and vises. Just have cash on hand and be ready to roll. I have transported anvils in the trunk of my Toyota Corolla, my trailer and my truck. And as Glenn noted, at some point in the future, most of the iron in my museum will re-enter the public realm. For now, come visit and marvel.

If you have enough, use them to weight something down. If not needed for that, collect as many as you can find, and scrap them for dollars. Use the dollars to buy something needed and useful.

Nice find, and thanks for shareing the source.

Sorry Tom, but I much too humble to do that. My shirt with the Fisher & Norris Museum logo will do. And this "Fisher King" is kind of childish. NjAnvilman will do.

Hyper Iron Please remember that this video is NOT of my museum. It is a collection in New Mexico that I have never seen in person nor met or know the principals involved. Eventually, all of the FISHERS in my collections will probably be sold. I hope that some of the complete series of anvils can be kept together. It has taken a long time to find all of the missing pieces, and there are still gaps that I hope to fill.

Black Frog: Thank you. This area of research is know as Industrial Archeology. I am trying to save and record what was done in the past by this industry, so that it is not lost to the ages. If I had not knocked on the door of Crossley when I did and found the last of the original FISHER patterns, they would have been rotting in a landfill. It has been my passion for the past 15 years, and will be for the rest of my life.

Correct, no one needs more than one or two anvils. In my case, I accidentally fell into the FISHER realm when I bought Postman's book in 1998. Once I was given the patterns, and archives of the Fisher company, I made it my quest to learn all I could about the company and try to obtain as many examples of Fisher products. All of this research will soon to be in a book I am writing. My invitation is always extended to those in the blacksmith community to come and visit and LEARN. Just PM or email to make sure I am here. I suprised that more smiths within an easy one day drive have not visited. The few who have visited thoughly enjoy the day. I do not charge anything. If someone want to donate, fine. I readily give up my time to share my knowledge. Some day all of the collection will go back out into the wild. For now, it is the basis for my research and ability to FACTUALLY answer almost any question about Fisher products.

Very cool forging. You must have had fun handling that length in and out of the fire. That design could be adapted to all kinds of projects. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your hammer.

I went to the Quad States meet in Sept 2012 for the first time. I came home with 4 anvils, all purchased at fair prices. There were at least 250 anvils there for sale. Many sold, but many more went home with the sellers who brought them. Anyone who really wants an anvil can find one. They are out there. Just look and have some money ready to buy when the opportunity presents itself. Don't complain about having no money: cut grass, flip burgers, babysit, do chores, make something to sell. If you have the passion, you will find a way.

Do not dress it. Just use it. Dressing is filing or grinding the edges to make them less sharp. If needed after using the anvil for a while, then do what is needed. You cannot undo what you have removed.

New Mexico is competing with NJ in trying to move Earth's magnetic center.

WhiteHot Just be careful not to compare your stake to that one. It has historical markings, is much more decorative, and comes from a known collection that was featured in a book. Your stake is a good user stake, and has appeal to collectors of these. I am sure that you did fine with your purchase. And if you like it, that is all that counts.

Don't grind too much! Vulcans are notorius for their thin top plate. Perhaps a wood type belt sander would be better. Use a new belt. Be sure to blow out all of the sawdust first, and do use the dust bag. And after use, keep an eye on the sander for a while, just to be sure no sparks found any sawdust.

Not the best pictures, but I would guess it is a Vulcan brand, by the shape of the horn and overall. Not a highly rated anvil, and by the way it is torn up on the face, it might best be used as a door stop or counterweight.

Yes, it is forged. Handy set up as a small anvil near your bigger one. Probably made between 50 to 200 years ago. Value: Whatever you think it is worth. I have paid from $20 to $150 for these, pretty much based on size and weight. The only ones that have commanded a premium are ones that are in great condition, and had some kind of historical markings on them.

On the FISHER: 5 = original weight marking, 50 lbs Dates = some of the Fisher patent dates 1889= year cast 3, 6 under the date= either pattern number or batch number

I love the bronze name plate. Direct, contains needed information, and on the front of the hammer for all to see. Nice rig.