Bg Ben

I make metal sculptures and artwork. Also have made o lot of special tools for specific applications working as a mechanic by trade instead of ordering expensive factory tools that rarely get used and even fabricate parts on some repairs. The Yost anvil found me basically. Word got around that I was looking and I was told it was over 200lbs. (165 on the bathroom scale) and in need of a good home that would actually use it. Awesome gift! The small, old, unmarked anvil(70lbs-ish)that is all beat up has much less ring to it and probably better rebound as well.

It took me over a decade of working with metal before getting an anvil. The first "anvil" I bought was from an auction after searching a year and backing out of bidding at several other auctions. The "anvil" was almost a cube of cast iron with a handle on one side and stamped "fairbanks 50lbs". I only knew that it had square edges that I could bend a piece of metal over and much less expensive than real ambulances were going for. Turns out that it was a weight from farm scale(not the best composition of metal for forging but would work). As I was standing in line to pay for it the guy behind me in line asked what I planned to do with it and told me what it was. After telling him the plan it turns out he collects anvils, had over 70 of them and bought three of them at the same auction before I had arrived. Guess he felt bad after admitting he doesn't even plan on doing any forging and he agreed to sell me the oldest one (pre-civil war) which was of course badly worn and a large chunk broken off of the center of one edge. I was thrilled I went home with 2 "anvils". For all the years before that I had gotten by with just my trusty vise and scraps of what ever I could find.

I just aquired a YOST anvil. New to the forum as well. The anvil weighs 164 lbs. What is the quality of these? Never heard of them until I brought it home. Anyone know if these are cast or wrought? Any info appreciated.