Jeffrey Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 I am just starting out and I have found a 160 J.H.M. Shaper Anvil and I am wondering if this is a good anvil to start out with. Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Hey, any anvil is better than no anvil! I'm not familiar with your brand but I'm sure someone here is but I'm sure some will agree with me and some will disagree but it's better than a rock for sure. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pac Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I took beginner blacksmith courses at the Bandy shop in Escondido and that's what they let us use. They ring loud and can take a beating that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aarinx Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Yeah I am currently looking at a 110# anvil, it is a wrought iron with a steel face. I read that it is decent. If the face has some rust is that a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 The JHM anvil line is excellent; they are cast steel, machined, and checked to ensure the castings have integrity (no voids) then heat treated to about 56 Rockwell. I have the 120 Journeyman Round Horn model and I love it. It was recommended by my mentor and i have not regretted the purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Yeah I am currently looking at a 110# anvil, it is a wrought iron with a steel face. I read that it is decent. If the face has some rust is that a problem? No, it is not a problem. Start using it and the rust will soon be gone. Be aware, with the type of anvil you have, NEVER strike cold steel on your anvil. Such activity could cause the hard steel face to seperate from the wrought iron body, leading to all kinds of unhappiness. If the rusting is severe, a cup wire brush on an angle grinder will clean it quickly. Before doing any other work to your anvil though, please research the subject thoroughly, here on IFI, using the search feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 Thanks everyone you pretty much sole me on getting that one, just thought I would pass along a bit of a find I made. Mid West Farrier Supplies out of Illinois sells that particular anvil for $568.00, other places I saw sold it for over 800. Not exactly sure why they are so much less but seems to be a great deal nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Might be worth taking a few weeks and using craigslist (or the search engine http://craigslook.com ) and seeing if you can get a good used anvil for half that price since you are just starting out. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 I have been doing that and I will continue to do so, but at least I know a place I can get one that is both good and relatively inexpensive. The guy that is helping me out recommended that I get at least a 150 lb anvil and all the ones I have seen on Craigs list are either too small or too far away and do not ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shimanek Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 The 120 or 125 would be fine for a starter anvil (and cheaper probably.) If you are going to be doing general blacksmithing, the round horn model would be better than the farrier style which have a flatter top on the horn. Be aware that the anvil face can be marked if you mis -strike which will probably happen a lot when you are learning hammer control. For that reason, you might consider a used anvil so you don't feel bad about the dents in something you paid a lot of money for. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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