nutinauniversalshell

The price was right. Even if you decide not to use it, you should be able to make some money on it by listing it in just a few places. Or as has been mentioned, pass it to someone who might use it. I probably would have went for it when it got down to $175, unless the drop was more substantial and didnt come down a little at a time.

how much for shipping to usa? ;) I would love to have something like that

Looks like quite a few of us in Middle TN popping up. I have even met 2 guys in town who blacksmith (both turning railroad spikes into knives too). Anyway, welcome!

I dont have any trinkets to bring yet. I know of an exhaust shoip that I might be able to get to help me with a couple of these things, so I will have to go by there someday soon. The torsion bar does have a hex end so it may be from one of the vehicles you mentioned. I think I may take a trip to the salvage yard one day and see about springs, torsion bars, axles, etc....plus a couple parts for the wife's car. The most important project right now should be to get the forge loaded up and to the exhaust shop so I can get some plumbing installed and possibly a mount for the blower (I found a blower on a stand yesterday and it would have been perfect, but it was twice what I would have paid).....then I can fire the forge :)

I have acquired 2 coil springs (shocks still attached as the nut was attempted to be torched off but failed)...skipping everything else I'm just going to start with questions: 1) What's the best way to get the coil springs out from the shock assembly when unbolting isn't an option? (I don't have a welder or plasma cutter either) 2) Are any parts of a shock good to make stuff from? Also have a 5+ foot torsion bar that is pretty beefy: 3) Good projects to make from the torsion bar? ( was thinking hammers but that's quite a few hammers) Axles (chevy 6 bolt not busted)...big heavy and somewhat thick 4) Sell them or try to use them? I should have a source for busted axles now too. Also have a little car axle with the boots and joints... 5) Best way to get the rubber and all off so I can use them? 6) Suggested uses? Did get some real thin metal pieces from a friend too....might be 1/4 inch if it was round... 7) Good projects? Cast iron sink with porcelain... 8) Good project for a forge? Lawn Mower blade....was thinking Big knife/machete at some point unless something else is recommended that would be cool. And unrelated to the above, I met another member (not sure of username) today to look at a small anvil. 60 lb vulcan with HORRIBLE edges (he had an 80 lb too that was pretty bad). I may deal with him on one or both but in such shape I don't really know what is reasonable....I wouldn't use them but hold them until I learn to repair anvils or find someone willing too....anyway I may try to set him up with one of my anvils and HOPEFULLY we will get together and do some forging too. He is making knives from rail spikes and I think if we can get better acquainted we can both learn as we are so new to this and combined make a good team to do projects (his forge is huge and I have BIG anvils)...might even alternate as strikers if all works out. Just thought this would be a cool thing to mention so others in Cookeville/Algood/Baxter/Gainsboro/Livingston/Sparta might want to try and get together or setup some kind of meeting. It would be great to have experienced and inexperienced alike who would want to share some knowledge and make some cool stuff ;) And the neatest part to me...he was one house down from where I grew up and his daughter plays with my cousin's daughter (who now has my grandma's old house).

Possible. Ill try to get pictures that maybe someone can manipulate to see if they can figure it out, but Im working on my desktop (hard drive is about to fail) and it might be a bit before I can get everything working right.

Others can probably tell you more about that specific anvil, but Ill just throw out my little input (keep in mind I am a newbie too, but I have 5 anvils now). $200 for a 75lb anvil seems a little high to me without it being something special The face and edges look pretty good from the picture though. Is it all cast steel? Steel top plate on cast iron base? All cast iron? Does it ring when tapped with a hammer on the face or all over or not at all basically? (tiny hammer+light tap) Rebound....when you tap the face, it should bounce back...more bounce is better. General rule of thumb is suppose to be $2/LB for an anvil with a smooth face and good edges.....I add that it should be something identify-able (good brand). Going up from $2/lb is ok, but you need to really know about what you are buying because you may be overpaying. From what I see on that anvil, I would be interested between $75-150 range and being that I dont know that it IS a good brand, it would be more of the $75-110 (under $1.50/lb). Though if you can confirm from someone that it is something good, then maybe more....for $200 it better be one of the bigtime guys (Fisher, Peter Wright, Hay Budden, or something swedish). I would also want to clean the paint off to try and see some markings hidden underneath. Also, adding a location to your profile will help as different regions can change things, but if you are in Tennessee or willing to drive, I have a couple extras I might sell, I have a number for another guy who is supposed to have a few, and I might be able to find the guy I passed on (200lb no name for $400...too high for me but decent anvil).

Got after it with a wire wheel again today and cleaned it up pretty good. Still cant really tell the date well. There is a 3 where I thought there was a date that is pretty obvious though it seems to be cast into instead of struck. Where a name would be is simply pitted so bad there is no way to make out marks....the closest I can come to identifying anything is what looks like the bottom of an ILL in one less damaged spot. The edges of the face need some serious attention by a skilled anvil welder, but there is a usable section. There is about a 2inch by 6 inch strip of pretty smooth clear face, but the rest is pitted pretty bad and needs worked down a bit. It isnt flat as it has obviously seen lots of use. The horn cleaned up much better than expected. The shelf is beaten down a bit and could possibly be reworked if/when I get the rest worked on. For now, I mounted it to a stump that is slightly too small but it is well supported (the tips of the feet hang off slightly) and 4 RR spikes staked it down for now. I also staked down my 163lb Brooks on a stump and my 100lb HB on the truss section. I need to get ahold of 3 more stumps and redo the HB mount (if one is big enough move the 350lb one too) and mount my oldie 128lb...and the 97lb PW. I also lined my forge with refractory cement so it has to dry. Then Ill load it up and see if I can get the blower mounted and plumbed so I can get it fired up. Then I can start working on some of the scrap I have acquired (probably surrounded with 3 anvils....350, 173, and 100) thaqt way I can work on whichever seems best at the time. Like cutting and working a huge torsion bar...350lb, while I have some little thin stuff that will work fine on the 100lb. Also got an old porcelain cast iron sink that I may try to turn into a forge eventually :)

I was going to drop it out the back but my wife said with the two of us it wouldn't be that bad (I strongly suggested she not try to lift it, but she grabbed the back end)....it came down fast but not at a drop rate. At least my toes were out of the way because that would have hurt.

Air compressor crapped out and I h ave to figure out how to fix it. I'm going to hace to clean it up another way ans maybe I can find some markings and get a clear picture. From dimenaions I saw on a Wm Foster this one matched...could be something else but it does have a date stamp and that's all I got so far

I see what you meant now. That all sounds fair. Plus for some of us, we aren't use to thinking of the price in canada vs usa. ;)

Maybe Im a little confused, but if he wants them "plain" but finished, then wouldn't it just be a wire wheel and quick coat of paint or clear coat...so an hour would knock out all of them easy if you are getting old spikes. I would predrill the holes straight for the first 10 and angle the hole for the second 10 and drive them half way in. There would be no blacksmithing at all involved for this and they could be prepped and installed in 2 hours time. Then for price if I was doing it for someone, I'd charge a price per spike initially, then think of the 2 hours labor...add them together and round up ($3.50*20+$10*2=$90 so anywhere from $100-150....I do basic work(carpentry) on stuff for $10 an hour for friends and family but even at $20/hr it would still be in that range). Blacksmithing may pay much better hourly, but if none is involved, its more of carpentry of putting in some hooks as spikes. If you are doing something to the spikes, then charge your rate for the time involved (with consumables added in such as coal/propane/electricity) and add materials costs (spikes and paint)....that could add up to more depending on time involved in making hooks. Keep in mind when you price work what your time is worth...me being out of work, $10 an hour for fixing up my uncles house is great for both of us as I would normally help some anyway and he is getting stuff done for cheap (but buying all materials). If I had a job, I would have to get similar pay to it which could be $30-40 an hour unless it was something I just wanted to do anyway.

Oddly enough my first anvil was not a result of the TPAAAT method though I was asking about them. I just lucked out and as soon as we walked into an antique shop a guy was asking about the shop buying his anvil (which confused the lady and she passed)...so we followed him out and negotiated to $60 for the 128lb oldie from my other posts/pics. The second was a PW 97lb from buying a "smith shop" listed online....though I bought more random stuff than a specific smith shop. 3-5 were all TPAAAT results. Granted 3 came from a shop, when we entered I started out with "Do you have any anvils?" and one was uncovered from some junk piled on it(Brooks 163lb). 4 was from asking about anvils in a gun shop in the middle of nowhere we just happened to spot and while it took awhile to go back I got the 100lb HB (and still await a call to clear out an old milk barn that may have 1-2 more anvils). And 5 (350lb William Foster I think) came from posing on the online classifieds a wanted to buy anvil ad....though there was another I looked at first (200lb with no name), I knew about the "huge" one and didnt want to drop $400 on the 200lb just then in case the 350 was 700lb as stated. (I also have an email that gave me a number and name to call and ask about but need more money first). I still ask everyone about anvils though and a consignment shop is supposed to try and get ahold of 3 he was offered recently...for $20 ea....I told him I could do a finders fee or would gladly more than double his money. :)

I had a longer post but darn computer went back and killed it. Short version is that it is on the PW mount right now (way too small a mount in diameter), but it was to get easier access for now. I cut 2 logs today to use but they will probably be for my 163lb and 128 or 100 lb anvils (not enough diameter). I found a tree section big enough for the big one....at the old city dump spot so I need permission and cutting a 26 inch diameter log is going to be fun with my 18 inch stihl ms250. I also cleaned the anvil some (apparently was face down in dirt for years)...and while makers marks are basically gone, found remnants of a date under the weight marks...1853. I believe it is a William Foster coachmakers anvil :) from the date and oddball size of base, length, etc. Hopefully I can get it fixed up some eventually when I find a competent person to "work" on the anvil (edges are pretty bad, face is not smooth, and horn is somewhat rough), but I think I can use it for now as there is a section of good edge and I think I can smooth the face enough to work for my skill level. It is currently soaking in Gibbs and I hope to fire up the compressor and wire wheel the crap out if it soon to make it look much better. Anyway, best part 1853 William Foster (I believe) thats near 350 lbs. WOOHOO!!!

Oh and to credit my wife, she helped me sit it from the tailgate to the ground then we moved it in with a dolly....thats why its in the floor as she made it down but it wasnt coming up for now. Need to figure out a base before we even try.

I did weight it. My scale may be off but shouldnt be off too much...it was sat on a concrete slab and the anvil put on top it....could affect things possibly but it showed 343.4lb on my scale (I saw the markings came to 368, but I assumed it was somewhere in the 350 range from both combined). He started by asking $1/lb but as the smaller one was nicer I offered $1/lb on it and said I was at 75 cents on the other due to overall condition being poorer than the small one....he agreed but buying the other stuff helped me get it rounded down to $250....it was $840 for everything I got (including a large red ceramic bull I will give my mother-in-law, and a cast iron pot for a friend to melt lead in). By the time I clean the gun parts (if I dont keep most of them) and offload the shotgun, I hope to be in the chainsaw and anvil overall for anywhere from $0-200....so pretty much a steal, but the guy was very happy as was I and he may call me about other anvils in the future as he was in a very rural location (guy wouldnt answer he tried to call while I was there). I didnt really want the shotgun but the price was fair for a quick flip at cost or maybe slightly higher and I figured more stuff = better deal (plus he was hoping to get to $800....possibly to do with bills as a mishap with one of his friends finding blasting caps recently resulted in him likely having a blind eye and his friend losing a hand). As he priced things, the shotgun was fair, the chainsaw not a real deal, anvil was darn good, and misc other stuff was virtually thrown in (even though the gun parts is probably around $400 if I can clean them up....they were left outside for some unknown reason so there is rust but not super bad....if left out too much longer they would have been worthless). Nice enough guy, but too long of a drive if I would have just bought the anvil at $1/lb....the rest of the deal was worth burning a day.

not as big as stated (as expected). only got the "big" one 343 actual lbs and some other stuff as he wouldnt let the smaller one go (100lb with ACM on the side and a serial on the front....no sign of an E for acme....seemed to be steel with a steel top plate....I can get it if I bring him another anvil instead and maybe some boot...probably just pass. Did get some random car axle, 2 truck rear axles, torsion bar, stihl ms250 chainsaw, most of an AK kit, benelli shotgun and some other random gun parts....anvil was $250 :) uploading pictures but it needs a good cleaning. will add rough pics here and start a new thread once I wire wheel it clean....it is pretty crusty. Top is flatter than it looks in some pictures. Some parts of the edges are in good shape, some parts have chips. Cleaned 3 1 4 from the side but didnt see name yet (more cleaning another day). 1.5 inch hardy....5.5 inch face by I think around 20 inch length on face and just under 12 inch horn.Back far side foot broken.

The only problem I have with all my engineering degrees is that everything these days seems to want to put you in a cubicle and have you design for failure. I want to design and build stuff...not to fail but to be the best possible product from my head to production. And going back to simple equations is something I should try to think of more because everything is so far "advanced" these days stuff like weighing the anvil with quick calculations from the board is often overlooked. Got a pic of the small one. its poor quality of a picture and text got messed up.. It looks like it could be anywhere from 100-250lbs from what little I can make out. text I got says: "This is the small one it has ACM on the side it weights about 25 [A with a tilde over it and squared] i am as interested in the double horn as much as you are will have better news in the morning on it ok perhaps a blast furnace if they will turn it lose lol. [address sorta]"

You sound like an engineer ;) and I probably would have forgot to grab my heavy strap so thanks....im going to make a note of what to get before I leave the house in the morning

Yeah I like working my way up. Just like with guns and everything else, I look for a deal, get what I can afford at the time and work my way up to something to keep. I thought I was there until I got the 100# HB...its so much nicer than the 97# PW...Im always looking, buying, trading, etc on about anything that is of interest and old tools is one of them. Anvils are just one thing I got interested in so Im going all out to find what I can so I can try to get the best possible setup. The weather is killing me on firing anything up, but hopefully soon I can get the forge going and make a few runs for wheel weights and try to get some coil springs etc to make into tools. John thanks for the chart and hopefully I can use it if I cant find markings (took a picture of it with my phone) ;) Unless it ends up just being something way larger than expected, I think 2 of us can move it...3 should be able to do if for sure, but Im sure I can pay a couple guys to help load it if it came to it. I think my uncle and I can lift up to 600 lbs for a short move and he only has one good hand. I plan to grab my measuring tape, wire brush, and tiny ball peen hammer (dont have any chaulk). He said something the other day about made in usa on one of them, so maybe Ill be SUPER lucky and his other info is off (he inherited them) and the big one will be a Nimba :) for the price discussed, Ill be happy with any 2 anvils as long as they arent complete junk though.

if its on the ground I cant lift it. I have to be able to wrap my arms around it (dad was near 400 and I could lift him and walk but not too far). I have leg pressed over 1000 lbs but that was long ago before my knees bothered me. I think I can estimate the weight depending on my uncle and I lifting it (if the two of us can barely lift it then its probably over 500 lbs). Probably take some pipe to help in case it takes 4 to move it, but who knows. Was suppose to get picture over an hour ago but some people answer easier than they ever send pictures. I hope if no pictures to call and see it tomorrow anyway...even 300lb would be awesome as long as he understands its not 6-700....actual weight or close in the range I told him would be acceptable, Im not going to pay double. Got an email to call a guy closer but still about an hour away as he is suppose to have several too. Plenty around, just hoped to find 200+lb for an AMAZING price. from my anvil bath thread you can see I have plenty for starting out, I just want more and bigger (just like my guns, but anvils are more affordable now). oh and VaughnT, I have about $300 of my own left for random anvil deals but on the bigger one I can borrow some from my uncle (probably up to about $800)...may not need a bigger anvil but I want one :) Ill probably start selling some excess off eventually sicne I have 2 right at 100 lbs now....I just think it would be nice to keep the 100lb HB, maybe the Brooks 163lb (or another 150lb range one if I get the right deal), 200-250lb one, 300+lb one, and 500+............one of all sizes. Keep watching for deals and keep the best of each range.

The guy is suppose to have a roughly 200lb one too, and I definately understand the flaws of people and sizing, but he said he has no idea how to move it (I can lift 400lbs if I must but world prefer not too). I said I would have to see it but I'd be somewhere in the $0.50-$1.50/lb range and $1.50 would have to be something special. I'm hoping he sends a picture as he said he would ad that its possibly not double horn but not a square back....who knows. Even a 300lb and another 120 lb would be ok for the drive at that price, but I have to know approx weight to make an offer. I just hoiped someone could drop a quick schooling in the LARGE size anvils so I can make sure its something good. Too many different things out there and while I think I can do decent, finding something special would be even better.

I have placed a couple ads locally and 2 calls came in. First was for a ~150-200 lb anvil and/or a "HUGE" anvil...when I talked to him again today he said that he thinks the big one is 600-700 lbs and we may have a decent deal lined up (I am waiting for a picture then will have to get ahold of him so I can drive AWHILE to see it (hopefully tomorrow). He said he thinks its at least 25-30 years old and has 2 horns with about a 2.5 foot spread. I am trying to figure out what all to look for in something like this. Brands? Features? etc as I have as o yet only spotted smaller anvils. So any ideas what I should be watching for? Lets not discuss price yet but I think I have a fair deal in line. Also, my 2nd call was today for a 200 lb anvil. It was decent shape though the horn looked odd shaped. Plate top on cast....no markings on either side, just a 20 cast between the 2 feet under the horn. I passed for now as $400 was too much to spend with the other anvils still in play (and it seemed high for what I saw anyway at least for getting a deal). Any info on this would be appreciated. I dont know anything about double horn anvils, especially over 500 lbs but for the right deal I want to possibly own one. Thanks fellers

yeah table needs trashed. I have 2 trees to cut down so I can mount more of these when it gets a little warmer. you can kinda see various of my wife's old furniture that needs to be given away or sold. Also want to get some garage floor coating stuff when the furniture is gone. You know how it is....house is a continual project.

I didnt stick it on the scales yet, but maybe soon. Also need to check the actual weight of the PW. Didnt realize the non-hundred weight system so I guess it was exactly $2/lb. Still a great deal to me as it may be my best anvil thusfar (quality wise)