Marc1

All of the above, plus ... you are probably using a hammer that is too heavy

It all depends on what you do. i would hate to make a gate on a 140 pound anvil. but small decorative stuff is ok. i suppose knives too, but I don't make knives so i don't know. Horses for courses. I have a 26 and a 88 pound anvil that I use a lot for detailed work, and a 240 for bigger scrolls. Wouldn't mind a 500 pounder one for some reluctant structural things.

I skinned a cow and that knife would do just fine for that, or a deer. I agree, point out of the way. Nice job.

This is another case of new, better than old. The new copies are way better than the old copies. The comments from the professional players are ... pretty close.

Ha ha little, easier said then done. Not impossible though.

Nice anvil! Used but not abused. Glad to see no questions about it's value ... lol ... my answer is always ... it's worth what you paid for it

Looks a bit like a Kukri. I like it!

Best neighbour annoyer is a wind chime. A BIG one

Better for what? Bang for buck the mechanical wins, Utility hammer needs a locomotive diesel compressor to run it and self contained is the way to go. My 2.5 c

And as far as old violins ... today you can buy at a premium price, excellent Stradivarius and Guarneri copies made in China that are just as good without all the drawback of playing on a museum piece that falls apart at each weather change and at the price it costs to insure the real thing every year. And back to anvils, I have seen people pay more than what it costs a new Refflinghaus or a Kohlswa for older beaten up, sure very usable and antique and whatever. Each to his own I suppose... as far as wine ... well ... I wonder if someone has invented the instant ageing wine with just the right bouquet? May be I draw the line there with new versus old. Cognac Napoleon 100 years old anyone?

45 year of blacksmithing? May be worth buying the lot?

I agree with the suggestion to use it as it is. I bought lots of tools in my life and keep on buying tools but generally speaking I buy the tools I need as I go. If I outgrow a tool I buy a better/bigger one. With anvils it seems there is a tendency to put the cart before the horse ... meaning, I'll start blacksmithing so I'll buy the biggest most valuable best ever anvil I possibly can to ... mm ... try my hand to make a hook? Nothing wrong with that of course but sometimes it may be better to wear out what you have, outgrow it, be familiar with it, know it's limitations, when it stops you from doing something, know what you need next. May be you don't need the best anvil, but a better forge? or a new set of hammers? A couple of post vise? A better smoke extraction system ... I dunno, sometimes we obsess too much over anvils. Oh, and as far as the comment in the previous page about old anvil vs new anvil. Yes, old is not necessarily better than new ... well with the exception of some violins and some wines PS Just saw your video. Don't feel bad about your new/old anvil. Best thing you can do is use it as it is. After all you hit the hot iron not the anvil with the hammer so a soft face will still do the job.

The face of that anvil looks good to me. No idea of the make though. What's the weight? Should be at least 150 lb The stand is also ok if it suits your height. Make something nice rather than the stand

Mm ... looks like a hay budden, I doubt there are any reference to dunny or banners, or I hope not What size? what price? any lighter photos to see condition? Rebound? Selfies hugging the anvil?

I see ... well ... I get sometimes into this guessing games, not sure why. One third factor missing in my previous post, the first being location the second being weight, was a bit more personal and that is, what is a bargain for you? For me for example ... a bargain would be to find a low hours 3to 5 ton excavator for under 20,000 ... only because I can sell it at a profit. If I look for an anvil, I most likely will never sell it, so the price I pay is more relative to space in the shop, emotions and availability of surplus funds not necessarily in that order. So ... in other words, there is no much point in asking if what you bought is a bargain or not without knowing what you intend with the purchase ( not to mention what you actually paid, something I still don't know) ... in the first place. If it is resale value, probably not, if it is collector value ... probably not, if it is blacksmith hobby or serious hobby value, probably yes. A lot of "probably" in that post ha ha Enjoy your purchase and forget what you paid for it. To me it looks like a monster anvil in excellent condition that will do a lot of nice work. Did you test the rebound / ring?

Considering your photos do not reveal any names, I assume it to be a Refflinghaus or a Peddinghaus, but I could be wrong. I like those anvils, That is the pattern we grew up with, that and the southern German one I like even better with no steps Is 469 the weight in kilos or pounds? As for the question is it a bargain ... hard to say without knowing where was the anvil when you bought it and how much you paid for it. And even if you told me I wouldn't know, but from my perspective, anything under $1000 would be a bargain for a 469 pound anvil ... it those are kilos then anything under $2000 is a nice find.

The oldest myth would probably be for blacksmiths being linked to the occult, magic, supernatural. Still today people believe a horseshoe will bring them luck or fend off bad luck.

Black iron is slang for not galvanised. The paint on it plays no role. I buy black SHS that is painted blue

A bit of a mystery what is it that you are asking here, Welders are purchased according to what it is that you need welded, so shopping for a welder is an open question. Shopping for a welder needs to define budget and welding requirements. Shopping for a welder also depends from your welding skills. You can buy an old transformer AC stick for a song if you know how to weld. However to say that stick welding is the best way to learn welding is like saying using a hammer and nails is the best way to learn carpentry. If I had limited money and no welding experience I would first learn to weld at a friends shop, and then buy an inverter MIG with fluxcore wire. But hei ... we are all different. PS Ooops ... just realised I am posting from home with no problems ... ?

Visitors ... I stop everything I am doing, switch everything off and then we can talk ... no onlookers when I work. I even throw people out the kitchen when I am cooking let alone when I am bending steel.

Yes, not an easy task to fix that one. Been fixed before already?

Yes, Frosty, I am not sure how a shield would make it more dangerous but I believe you, it's too obvious to be a novel idea. I would think a narrow curved shield in the shape of 1/4 turn some 3 feet long protecting face chest and groin, mounted on a post in front of the buffer, very close to you but far enough from the wheel to keep freedom of movements, narrow enough to have both arms around it ... anyway ... I don't have a buffer and don't really need one. if you want to go troppo, you can have it in a box with two rubber gloves to reach inside ... ? I keep my face shield clear by cleaning it regularly and when dry wipe it with orange oil on a tissue, rub until it's dry, clears all the scratches ... well within reason. Works for the welding helmet also.

Lots of tools can be dangerous, but what is dangerous for me may not be for you. So basically danger lurks in the lack of skill or unfamiliarity with the tool. I am extremely careful with my Honda powered brick saw, but have no issues with circular saw or table saw. I don't have a power hammer but would think of it as a dangerous tool. I heard many people saying that the 9" grinder is dangerous and should be banned. I use it regularly, know it's power and my limitations. Never had a problem. However I had a 5" grinder slam in my face because I was using it with one hand overhead in an awkward position. Fortunately I was wearing a full face shield as I do every time I use a grinder of any description, and the shock did not make me release the grip that was keeping me on top of a U beam 3 meters above ground. No harm done besides my pride. Can you build a fixed shield in front of the buffer?

It looks PWish to me But much more important it is a jolly good anvil and should be hard at work.

Both nice, definitely different animals