bunchgrass Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Hi,I'm looking at buying an anvil for my shop - RR track is not heavy enough for some farm repairs. Anyway, I've run across these 2 options and they both seem to be a little "short on info" - would be interested in your inputs. Thanks. First one: no pic here's what I got after inquiry -"Upon closer inspection, it is stamped "Sweden" and has a symbol that includes an anchor. Edges have been welded. It does ring." That's all. Second one: Picture in attached file, no weight/size given. Comments "I can at least lift the anvil so I am guessing at 150 lbs. It may have astamp on the side but I cannot make it out."I know that's almost nothing to go on but I'm trying to decide whether to even pursue either one further.Thanks. Okay - I can't seem to get the pic to load as an attachment and can't figure out how to insert it into my message Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 sweden is a good sign, they both sound like you should do more investigating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 Does the anchor symbol mean anything (a certain makers logo)? Ahhh - here's the pic of the 2nd no name/size anvil that the guy thought weighed 150#. I think it looks smaller than that but ..... Did the picture work? I can see it in my edit and preview modes here but doesn't appear when I look at the posting - just a weird dead link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I can't see anything So what is the cost of these. If it's too expensive to start with you don't need to go through the hassle of due diligence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 I apologize for my inept attempt(s) at posting the pic. I'll try again using the PC rather than the Mac. Both anvils are priced pretty high - the guys asking near $500 for the unknown Swedish one w/ welding on the edges The second one is about $750 for the anvil, vise and some other tools. Thanks again for your patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 21, 2010 Author Share Posted December 21, 2010 Is my picture of no real help? IMHO - the edges look pretty nice. But I can't even begin to guess the weight although there are other items in the background to help scale it. Are the ID markings only found on one side of the anvil? So once again, what do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 That is a lot of money but the one in the photo looks nice. I recently got a 70 kg (168lb) kohlswa anvil in brand new condition for $200. same guy sold a 170 lb hay budden in excellent shape to my brother for $250. If you need it now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Location makes a big difference; anvils go for about twice as much here in NM as back in OH; but those sound like almost new prices for old damaged anvils. Look at the prices for some of the good imported anvils on the blacksmithing sites. Remember being "old" doesn't mean much for an anvil until you get back to colonial times---I commonly use an anvil dated 1828 in my shop and hundred year old anvils are more the norm in smithing than a valued antique. Don't forget to actually *HUNT* for anvils. I've toned down my anvil search a lot over the last few years as I am anviled up; but I still picked up a beautiful condition PW, 112#, for US$150 last spring here in anvil poor NM! Finally remember that most of the world doesn't use a London Pattern anvil; don't put off starting to smith just because you don't have one---get a large hunk of steel and start hammering on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 21, 2010 Author Share Posted December 21, 2010 That is a lot of money but the one in the photo looks nice. I recently got a 70 kg (168lb) kohlswa anvil in brand new condition for $200. same guy sold a 170 lb hay budden in excellent shape to my brother for $250. If you need it now.... I know the money is high - it sure seems to be like that here in the west (at least my experience). What do you mean "if I need it now?" - then just grin and bear it? BTW - for $750 there's the anvil, leg vise and a 14" band saw. Any guess what the weight or maker might be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I'm on the wrong side of the pond to be of much help, but I've heard the ratio of 1 to 2 dollars per pound in weight used by a few of the American chaps before when talking about pricing up anvils. I think thats for scrap value so an anvil in good nick will likely be more. As to weight I'd hazard a guess that the anvil in the picture is 'around' the 1 1/2cwt mark at best(128lb to 1 cwt) probably nearer 1 1/4. At the end of the day it's worth what you're willing to pay for it, but I wouldn't rush in, buyer beware and all that eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Where in the west are you? I've got a real nice 400lb anvil I'd sell for $1000. Lots better deal ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Any guess what the weight or maker might be? It kind of looks like it has the lines of a Trenton to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 "In the West" anvils are scarce in western Australia; or was that west Africa? Chile?, even if it was in the western USA that still seems high. I bought a 112# PW in very good condition for about US$1.33 a pound just this spring in central NM, USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Pretty sure from the shape and details it's a early hay budden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Hi,I'm looking at buying an anvil for my shop Help us help you. Where are you located? If in the US, give us a general zip code and how far you are willing to travel to get an anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 22, 2010 Author Share Posted December 22, 2010 Oh crap - I'm sorry, Stupid me thinks the whole world is in N. America - my sincerest apology for that! I'm in Idaho near the Washington border (zip = 83823) so I guess it could be both western US and western Idaho. As far as travel distance - pretty flexible. Drove to Indiana to get a stock trailer then up to Vermont to pick up some horse drawn equipment (I'd like to keep it a shorter trip than that - round trip was 6000 miles). So I guess I'd travel 1000 miles +/- depending on the direction. As far as "hunting" goes, I've been looking for many years - that $1 to $2 per pound value was bandied about 10 or 15 years ago. Around here you're competing with some deep pockets that want to make a buck resaling these things or put them in their gardens. Same with the horse drawn equipment - I've seen people pay prices that are incredible for a plow that they can hang their mailbox from. A crappy worn out one will hold a mailbox but they end up buying some gem. Sorry to diverge. With Craigslist, the internet, this site ..... the options have increased so I'm back inquiring. For my purposes the total price is as important as the per pound price. Thanks monstermetal - but 400# @ $1000 is exactly what I'm talking about. Thanks again for taking time to respond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Well I am ln Seattle, A long day to come gather it up but not out of the question. I also have family in Idaho and make trips down from time to time but my guess is Seattle is closer to you than where my folks live (Twin Falls area) That 400lber is a deal, I have $1000 in it and am just looking to get my dough back... I also have a 500lber for $1600, same deal just looking to get the cash back out at break even... the 500 has a narrow face and a big waist... nice looking horn too the 400 is the bottom front guy the five is on the blue stand.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 22, 2010 Author Share Posted December 22, 2010 Well I am ln Seattle, A long day to come gather it up but not out of the question. I also have family in Idaho and make trips down from time to time but my guess is Seattle is closer to you than where my folks live (Twin Falls area) That 400lber is a deal, I have $1000 in it and am just looking to get my dough back... I also have a 500lber for $1600, same deal just looking to get the cash back out at break even... the 500 has a narrow face and a big waist... nice looking horn too the 400 is the bottom front guy the five is on the blue stand.. Yah, I'm near Pullman so it's like 5-6 hrs to Seattle. Stop teasing/taunting me with your pictures of scantily -clad and well-endowed anvils! How about this 150# er? Logo mean anything? It looks really clean as far as i see - but asking too much (Like $4/#) a $450 200# hay budden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchgrass Posted December 22, 2010 Author Share Posted December 22, 2010 Location makes a big difference; anvils go for about twice as much here in NM as back in OH; but those sound like almost new prices for old damaged anvils. Look at the prices for some of the good imported anvils on the blacksmithing sites. Remember being "old" doesn't mean much for an anvil until you get back to colonial times---I commonly use an anvil dated 1828 in my shop and hundred year old anvils are more the norm in smithing than a valued antique. Don't forget to actually *HUNT* for anvils. I've toned down my anvil search a lot over the last few years as I am anviled up; but I still picked up a beautiful condition PW, 112#, for US$150 last spring here in anvil poor NM! Finally remember that most of the world doesn't use a London Pattern anvil; don't put off starting to smith just because you don't have one---get a large hunk of steel and start hammering on it! So who do you think makes a new "good imported anvil"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Yah, How about this 150# er? Logo mean anything? It looks really clean as far as i see - but asking too much (Like $4/#) That's a Columbian. They made high quality cast steel anvils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 That HB might do you well! Excellent anvils even if from Brooklyn New York! (And don't forget to factor travel costs into the "cost"; can make a close anvil look more appealing than a day there and back anvil!) As for imports, you probably want to check the threads already around for things like euroanvils. I'm so backwards I still tend to buy old anvils at decades old prices. I just know some folks that have bought imported anvils from Eastern Europe and are very happy with them! If it wasn't so long away I'd advise you to show up at Quad-State with anvil money; our local anvil collector showed up there one year for his first time and bought 30 anvils---had to go out and buy a trailer to haul them home on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Yah, I'm near Pullman so it's like 5-6 hrs to Seattle. Stop teasing/taunting me with your pictures of scantily -clad and well-endowed anvils! How about this 150# er? Logo mean anything? It looks really clean as far as i see - but asking too much (Like $4/#) a $450 200# hay budden? shoot Id buy that Hay Budden... I sold a clone to that for $700 last year ( it was quite purdy though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajajoaquin Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 You don't say if you have anything else to use as an anvil while you're searching, but you might consider alternatives to London-pattern anvils. I did a quick search on Spokane and Boise Craig's Lists, and found a few listings for scrap steel. None of it was really in the form factor you're looking for, but you should still be able to find some around if you keep looking. I'm still putting together everything I need for a smithy, but I found the common advice to be true: as soon as I found something I could use for an anvil, I found another one near by. In my case, it was 260lb of steel blocks, followed by a Hill anvil that I got for a good price. So that's my advice. Get something "good enough" to start with. Then you're not feeling pressured to buy at prices you feel are too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 That would be fantastic.... Id like to give it a good new home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking-sword Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I have this Columian anvil I'll sell. It's in excellent condition, not exact on the weight but it's close to #150 and I'd sell it for $300. I live in Thermopolis, Wyoming where I run a smithy and knife shop. Hope these pics come through. Wes This is that same anvil sitting next to a recently aquired Peter Wright that weighs exactly #187pds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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