SilverDeck Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 I posted an earlier thread about a 90# Belknap anvil (made by Columbus Anvil & Forging Co in 1913) that I am in the process of purchasing. I've put a little money down on it, but could probably get out of the deal if I had to. What give me pause about the whole thing is a bit of damage on body on the underside of the heel. I'm not expert, but there seems to be a little bit of fracturing/cracking in the wrought(?) iron body. Below are some pictures of the areas of concern. Is this anything that I should be really worried about or would be a "dealbreaker"? Does this look like something that was the result of hammering on the anvil when it was too cold? Is it an old repair? Most of the metal in the damaged area has a solid sound to it when tapped with a ball peen hammer except for a couple areas right at the edges of the cracks. Is this a fixable condition? The guy I'm buying it from is a very talented welder and could probably repair it if it looks fixable. I actually bought it because he knew I was looking for an anvil, but I don't know how much time he spent looking it over. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The entire face of the anvil has a nice ring and hammer rebound but no "dead spots" that I can find. For what it's worth, I don't plan to do any serious forging on this anvil, it's just something to have the the garage for the occasional bit of metal straightening or peening. So I won't be hammering on it hard, but it still gives me concern and I'd appreciate hearing from those here who have much more experience with such things. Side view near the heel fracture area: I believe that this is a well-made anvil, but don't have enough experience to know if what I am seeing here that looks like damage compromises the whole deal or not. Please advise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDeck Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 And lest I paint the wrong picture, the guy who picked up this anvil for me is a decent, honest, straight-shooting guy who runs a welding and fabrication shop. He is an immensely talented welder, but isn't an anvil expert. So I know he meant really well in picking up this anvil for me and didn't think this "damage" was any big deal. And I do think he would be willing to do some quality welding repairs on it if the experts here thought that that looks like it is repairable. I'm just not sure what to do and am looking for advice. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 What you have maring the fiish on your anvil is mill scale, NOt cracks. what happens is scale forms during forging, Any time yu expose hot iron to air scale forms. If you're forging and don't brush the scale off it gets driven into the work, sometimes sticking. this scale stuck. when you tap near it in the right spot it sounds dead because beneath the surface right there the scale is just stuck to the body, not welded. It's a don't worry about it, has no effect on the quality of your anvil unless you're going to enter it in a beauty contest. Perfect thing to ask about before laying out money and THEN finding out it WAS something serious. Like folk who buy a used car THEN take it to a mechanic. <sigh> You're good to go on it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Greetings Copilot, Looks to me more of a coldshut from the original forging process.... Look in side the hardie hole for signs of cracks... Also looks like someone tried to put a little butter on one spot.... I think I would use this as a serviceable anvil as it is... I hope this helps.. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDeck Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 Thank you both for setting my mind at ease. Lesson learned and fortunately this one has a happy ending. I really appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 I use defects as bargaining tools; if no budge on the price get it in writing that he will fix it for you if it ever causes problems in the future. 90# is a "light" anvil so please no sledge work out at the heel---I have to chalk the sweet spot on all my student anvils to keep them from straying with the sledge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDeck Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 From what you can see here of the underside of the heel, does this look more like a Trenton or an Arm and Hammer-produced anvil? It has the oval recess on the underside of the base but that is characteristic of both makers. At first I thought the underside looked rough but then I saw pics of an Arm & Hammer and it actually had forging ridges. Would a Trenton be smoother then what you are seeing in the pics above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDeck Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 Other the other thread someone posted that according to Postman, Belknap anvils were only made by Columbus Anvil & Forging Co (makers of Arm and Hammer anvils), and not by Columbus Forging & Iron Co. (makers of Trenton anvils). So I guess this one has to be an Arm & Hammer prouduct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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