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Shipping would add another $95. Brings it to a little over $3/lb, which is really inexpensive for a new anvil. That's why I'm suspicious

I've seen these posted several times on fleabay, and I even took the time to read through some of the feedback from sales. None of it really answered my questions, though. I figured I'd ask the experts for some opinions. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130854667512&item=130854667512&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 I know it's a little light, but it's bigger than what I'm working on now. Any glaring problems with it? Would it be worth the price? Thanks!

Would like to add that the fumes from boiling vinegar can be harmful small animals like pets (bad) and most household pests (good). I've used it to get rid of flies and gnats before, just had to take the cat outside first.

Pretty excited about these. Until today, I had to do all my cutting with a chisel, and I had to have another pair of hands. My anvil is broken off at the hardy, so I finally got around to making a substitute. A friend of mine had some pieces of 4" angle left over from some previous construction, so I made a hardy box out of that. Also, I made a round-topped hot cut to go with it. Thanks to all of you for supplying such a wealth of information and support.

I'd also recommend http://www.appalachianblacksmiths.org/ They are a local group for us. I've heard of a group that has meetings at Rocky Mount on the first Sunday of every month, this may be them. I really need to attend a meeting and see what I can manage to learn. Who knows, I may see you there.

I have a hard time following everything he says, but his work speaks for itself. Great hammer control, and interesting thoughts on the direction of his craft and manufacturing in general. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpeyhC-UIFg

Those look very nice. Can never have enough tools.

Thanks frosty. Need to straighten out that cup on the first one. Got the idea from Lorelei's book. The second one I saw here

Nothing really fancy, just a couple of things I made for gifts this year.

Lol. Thankee, ma'am. Might as well love it. It's what I have to work with. Have to say, the fact that it's broken just means I get to come up with more tools to replace what's missing. Honestly, though, I love the double-horned anvils. Very elegant.

The most beautiful anvil in the world? Mine. It's an 80lb Fisher with a broken heel and a few nicks on the edges. What makes it so beautiful? It's mine, that's what.

I'm no expert, but I think that's the Columbian trademark. I could very easily be wrong, tho

Wow, thanks for all the replies and ideas. Got the tongs fixed now, just heated them up and cut the rivet with a chisel. I'm glad I'm making mistakes, that means I'm learning. Besides, it was good for a laugh. I'm of the opinion that you generally have two options when something happens. You can laugh at it, or you can cry about it. I'd rather laugh any day.

So, I was doing a little work this evening, making another pair of tongs (these for round/square stock), and I noticed it was starting to get dark. I have a really simple set up, and all my light is supplied by Mother Nature. The only thing I had left to do was finish punching one side of the tongs and then rivet them together. I finished the punch, cut the rivet blank, and impatiently got it hot. My stock and my punch are the same diameter, so it's always a bit of work getting the rivet through, and the light was failing ever faster. Hammered it through one side, then the other, then put it into the fire so I could flatten the heads. I'm pretty proud of my last set of tongs, but my riveting needs work, so I took a bit of care on getting both heads flattened and looking nice. Still had a bit of heat left, so I tried to work the tongs a little, and they wouldn't move at all. Back into the fire, hoping it was just where they shrunk and I riveted it pretty tight. Good, glowing orange, and still no movement. I noticed the jaws weren't quite lined up either. After getting closer to the fire so I could see a little better, I discovered the problem. I had riveted them together backwards..... So, lesson learned. Don't smith in the dark. Better to wait another day than to have to destroy the best looking rivet I've made so far. By the way, anybody know how to get the XXXXX things back apart?

Chemistry nut and minor pyro. I knew that phosphorus burns white. Just never occurred to me that there would be enough in the coal to affect the color of the flame that much. I think forge work will keep my inner child happy. Plenty of fire to go around, and the chance to bang on stuff with a hammer. Add in a good imagination, and nothing is impossible

I figured the first thing I made should be tongs, since I'd need them for most everything else. They're ugly, rough, and they could still use a lot of work, but I guess you have to start somewhere. Thanks to all of you for answering questions and pointing us new guys in the right direction. You have all helped so much in getting me started.

Frosty, I should have known that. Dunno why it escaped me. Thanks for the reply. The world is so much more full of wonder to kids. I think it sucks that we tend to lose that as we age. Good on you for making them laugh

Just got 1200lbs of coal on Saturday. It's the hard stuff, but it cokes up well once it gets going. After it burns down a little, I've noticed a mainly blue flame, but sometimes it even goes white. Is that good or bad? What exactly is happening there? Thanks!

Might not look like much, but it's mine. Finished it today, and built the first fire. Now, time to get busy.

248 lb Wilkinson for $600 within reasonable driving distance. Seriously considering it, since I'm having a hard time finding anything local. Do you fine gentlemen (and ladies) think it would be worth that price? Thanks!

Totally necro-posting, but found this at the local foundry today for $26. (Overlook the mess)

I'm having the worst time locating a good-sized anvil at anything approaching a reasonable price, but I did manage to find an 80# Fisher with a broken heel. I've heard that proper mounting on a good stand can help offset the lack of mass. My best idea so far is a length of I-beam concreted in the ground a couple of feet with a mounting plate welded on the end. Would that work out ok, or do I need to come up with something else?

No clue. Bought it at a scrapyard. Figured I couldn't beat it for the price. Actual anvils are hard to come by around here.

Figured there was no better way to make a first post than to show my anvil. Just got it today for $80. 180lb, 11.5 in diameter, 7 in tall.