kerisman

Thanks, all. Your input has been helpful. I'm still looking for something affordable that is solid steel and in decent shape, but I won't pass up a deal on a 70 pounder.

Bentiron1946: That's the anvil I was referring to as an example (also at http://www.nctoolco.com/pages/anvils3.htm). You make a good point -- it's too specifically designed for farrier work. In fact, that anvil is a case in point for what Mlmartin15 points out regarding anvil *shape* -- the mass it does have is not where it should be (for general blacksmithing, anyway). From the looks of it, the horn has as much mass as the base!

I think I'll keep looking for an anvil of this size that has its mass where it counts. I talked to someone in a local machine shop who's got a Peddinghaus for sale, but I'm not sure I need anything of that quality/expense just yet.

From what I can find on this forum (and elsewhere), few blacksmiths have anvils in the (roughly) 70-90 lb range... or at least they don't talk about them much.

I'm getting into the craft as a hobby. I'm not planning on forging anything huge in the near future -- I want to work on smaller projects (hooks and brackets, handles, small sculpture, etc.). I'm also attracted to the idea of a workable-but-still-portable anvil (that almost sounds like an oxymoron -- something like the NC Tool Short Sugar.

So, what are the LIMITS of a 70 lb. anvil? At what point does it become unreasonably light?

Finally, as far as the physics are concerned, is it correct to say that the decreased mass of small anvils results in a less elastic collision, meaning more effort on the part of the blacksmith (since the anvil doesn't "hit back" as hard) and more shock being transferred to the anvil stand?

Thanks!
Karl

Hello iron artisans and craftsmen,

I'm finally about to become a home/landowner and am planning on taking up some hobbies that I've previously been unable to practice. Working with iron is intriguing, and this looks like a great place to learn and connect. Is Fiddler's Grove Blacksmith Association the closest place around the Nashville, TN area to meet other smiths and maybe get a lesson or two?