Nailsmith

There is this place: [commercial link removed]

I'm not sure if they have a storefront where I could just walk in and buy some. I will have to ask once this "stay-at-home" order gets lifted.

The round edges never deterred me. I like having both rounded and more square edges; it should give me options in the future (plus, having a worn in anvil makes it look like I know what I'm doing to others haha).

I need to find a place to get some stock. I have the coil spring and the bars of 1080 the seller gave me, but I'd rather make something other than knives at the moment. I wanted to try making some S hook, twists, leaves, etc. I also have some old 6' plan hangers that are about 3/8"-1/2" round that I might do something with.

Here's the equipment. 

The anvil. The gas forge can be seen in the top right of the photo. It's not very big, but should be big enough for whatever I need to do. It also came with a regulator. The anvil edges are more rounded over on this side than the other side. But the heel still has good edges.

The other side of the anvil. This has decent edges except near the pritchel hole and the table.

It rings like crazy. For now, I put a small magnet under the heel and one under the horn (as can be seen in the first photo) and that dampened about 90% of the ring. When I need to use the horn I will just remove the magnet.

My original plan was to make some tongs. Even though it came with some I still want to make my own just for practice. Plus some of these could use a little more work.

I was just searching craigslist for any posting containing anvil.

Just picked up an anvil, stand, 5 hammers, ~10 tongs, a gas forge, a homemade coal forge, some 1080 steel, (4) 5 gal buckets of coal, a small blower with foot control, and some various other things. This guy was 4 hours away. He also threw in a decent dolly that I gave to my brother in law.

The anvil is a 97 lb Columbian.

I think it's kind of ridiculous. It's probably a person who just came upon it somehow, and looked at prices on eBay when deciding how much to sell it for.

I found another guy getting out of it and selling his lot. He already sold his post vise, but has everything else (tools, small forge, coal, steel, anvil, etc.). Going by in a few hours, will update.

I also found another guy selling a 250lb Peter wright. Asking $1,650 for this one. These guys sure are proud of their anvils.

Thanks for the advice. I won't rush into this one then. With it being posted for over 2 months, it seems like it's not a good deal. I'll keep my eye on this one while searching for others.

53 minutes ago, Nailsmith said:

I don't think it's a good deal, but it's been posted for 2+ months so he probably is willing to haggle.

I was thinking of offering $500. 

$800

Thanks for the info. I might have found a guy ~1hr out that has some equipment for sale. Still trying to schedule a time. I'm also keeping an eye out for some rail track. Haven't spotted any yet.

On another note, this is only about 45 minutes away. This guy claims it's a 100lb Peter Wright. I'm not opposed to buying a more expensive anvil even though I'm just now getting into it. However, I want to make sure if I get it, and decide to get out of the hobby, I can still make most of my money back.

What are some of y'alls thoughts on this one? I don't think it's a good deal, but it's been posted for 2+ months so he probably is willing to haggle.

He is getting out so he was selling everything.

We were talking this morning and I was waiting to hear back on a time to meet. I just got a call from him a few minutes ago saying it's all sold.

Oh well.

Hello, everyone.

My name is John and I'm from Chattanooga. I'm currently a full-time Electrical Engineer (so make sure to speak slowly and use small words for me haha). My username is a play on my german surname.

I have been thinking about getting into blacksmithing for a while. I currently have no equipment, but came across a listing on craigslist. It is for a 127lb Hay-Budden anvil (claims from 1894), a post vise with a 5" jaw, a homemade forge, and a little bit of coal with miscellaneous tools. He is asking $600, and I just want to make sure I wasn't overpaying. After some research, it looks like Hay-Budden are good anvils, and ones in good condition good for a hefty price. I'm not looking into doing anything professionally, just wanted another hobby (even though the wife thinks I already have too many).

Here are some pictures of the main items from the listing.

Anvil:

Vise:

Forge: