filip Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Howdy, I picked this anvil up between Ottawa and Montreal. I understand it is English. I cannot see any markings. Can anyone provide any information on this anvil? I was also wondering how best to clean it up and prepare it for work? Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 What do you have access to? A wire wheel on an angle grinder will do great; but requires you wear ppe for flung wires and dust. If you have a electrolysis set up you could use that or A belt sander---all you really need to clear off is the faces and the top's of the horns. Or you could soak it totally immersed in vinegar and after a week or so hose it off under as much pressure as you can manage. Or you can just start using it and hammering red hot metal on it will gradually clean off the crud. Me I wire brush when I have to of course I have a 9" industrial angle grinder that does an excellent barbell impression when I use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Welcome aboard Filip glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in your header you might be pleasantly surprised at how many folk on IFI live within easy visiting distance. What a SCORE! While cleaning it up is really tempting it isn't necessary, just using it will clean and polish the face and horns in short order and rust isn't going to affect the body at all. So long as it doesn't continue of course, warming it up and waxing it will stop the rust. Of course painting it with Naval Jelly will revert the rust to iron and leave a phosphate oxide black patina that will take wax and look good. If you dissolve the wax in turpentine to the consistency of shoe polish you don't need to get things as hot to apply it properly. This is a pretty traditional finish for forged items, bees wax being more traditional that parafin though both work nicely. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Another way to clean up rusty metal is to use an auto polisher with a wire brush. It's much safer than an angle grinder because it rotates considerably slower and doesn't throw sharp wires all over. Also its very useful for polishing hot metal and leaving a beautiful dark blue shiny finish. I have an old Milwaukee auto polisher I picked up on craigslist which is used to clean up everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filip Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 Thank you for the replies. I appreciate all the information. I was a little worried that the corrosion needed to be managed ASAP. The fellow whom I purchased it from suggested wire brush and paint. I don't have a scale at home, but I'd say this sucker is in the 150lbs range. Here are a couple more pics: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Getcherself some new sharp green scotchbrite and some Marvel Mystery Oil. Gloves good too. The anvil will clean up nicely. Be patient and scrub the body of the anvil refreshing scotchbrite as it gets worn. Hammering on the face of course (with hot steel or iron ) will do that job for you. good find. One side has a ledge, one not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Paint just gives the rust a place to hide and work in a nice dark quiet place, just leave it exposed and maybe a light coating of oil. Work the other surfaces clean or use a wire brush either by hand or with power as others have suggested, avoid abrasives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 The fellow whom I purchased it from suggested wire brush and paint. paint on an anvil is an abomination. tru dat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewed Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I go with a wire wheel / twisted wire and WD40. Makes a heck of a big mess, but leaves them oh so nice looking. Learned threw the grape vine that a certain anvil seller on eBay does this to their anvils to clean them up fro selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Ah yes the mess---if you use a wire wheel do it out on the driveway away from the house and shop and preferably on a day with a nice breeze and work from the upwind side. DON'T FORGET SAFETY GOGGLES! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murfcabbage Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I have a post of a 260 lb. peter wright, double horn in this forum. The differences i see are, the hardy and pritchel are on the same side on my peter wright double. This one is on opposite sides. Also, the characteristic step in the base is not present on your double. I really don't know, but it is a beautiful anvil yuo got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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