robert hanford Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Hello, I am wondering if there are any downsides to using a 400 lb. anvil as opposed to a 300lb. I am about to invest in a really nice anvil and am a little intimidated by 400 lbs having never experienced anything like it. Any replies appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevan Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 No downsides at all. BUY IT NOW. Just do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 If you can afford to get the 400# anvil, my suggestion would be to get it. Larger anvils are very hard to find, unless your name is stewartthesmith. You can easily find a smaller one later, if you plan on doing demos. But, if it were me and I had the choice, it would be the 400 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 There is a downside... portability. Also the larger anvil takes a bit more room which could be a problem if your smithy space is tight. If you'll keep it in one place and have the room for it it will work better for you. It would be a poor choice for a demo anvil because even with two guys it's a LOAD to move around. Even if you just move often it might become a problem to transport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert hanford Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Good points! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I cnat pick up a 300 or 400 anvil so both have similar problems with moving them . I have 300weigh and 400weight anvils and the bigger one takes up almost the same space as the smaller , just more presence ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry H Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 take the three hundred and send the four hundred to me.....seriously take the bigger one, how could you even think twice ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Allyn Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 If you're working by yourself (no striker) and with smaller stock then there might not be much advantage to the 400# anvil. Big anvils are needed for big work, not so much for smaller work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Yes, no, and maybe. A few years ago, I purchased a 350# Hay Budden and walked it into my shop (on its feet) and set it behind my power hammer. It stayed there on the floor for about 5 months. I kept looking at it while I continued to use my 250# Trenton. I was not doing really heavy ironwork. A guy approached me with a $ offer that I couldn't refuse, so I sold it. "The bigger the anvil, the shorter the anvil stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Once you are getting above about the 250# range you are into the "big range" and most hobby smiths will not see much difference going up---unless you have a source of strikers and do a lot of 1"+ sq stock work. So I'd make the decision on condition, brand and price (and if it's a good deal, borrow money, buy both and turn around and sell the other and pay off the loan) I love my 515# anvil with the dead flat and smooth face. I do sometimes have to do work between the edge and one of the hardy holes and of course for small forks and things I have the heel of a small anvil close at hand---but the majority of the smiting is on the big anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I have a fairly large Anvil and I do most everything on it I haven't had any problems doing small parts on it nor have I had any problems doing large work on it. 1245lbs I would go for the 400 lb. one also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert hanford Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Thank you all! I went with the big one, couldn't resist. Now to figure out how to maneuver it when it arrives! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I bought one of the "Anvil Envy" T shirts at the last Quad-State I attended. I was slightly miffed that they didn't give me a discount as I coined the phrase over at anvilfire quite some time ago... We all tend to suffer from it; though I have been buying more small anvils since the big ones as they are easier to load and transport when I go to teach a smithing class... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I know the usual wisdom is get the biggest you can afford and I feel a difference- a huge difference between the 340 and the 140 pounder but realistically not much difference between the 280 and the 340. What makes a difference is that the 340 is on a better stand. So now you have got your big anvil make a good stand for it and make sure she is at the correct height. I don't think you mentioned what anvil it is. If it doesn't have an upsetting block, and most don't, then look to incorporating one in your stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.