A journey for this anvil

[ausfire]

Anvils are a rarity in North Queensland, Australia, and I have been looking for one for some time. I've been using a pretty ordinary, well-worn old thing at my home forge. (Got a good Kohlswa at work)
I bought a nice one today. From New York! A 302# American Wrought in good original condition which was advertised on U.S. eBay. At $4.30 a pound it seems a good deal, especially compared to what is available here.
So it's in for a long overseas journey. Fortunately we have a container of vintage tractors coming over from Ohio later this year so the container will have a stowaway. The American Wrought is about to become an Australian citizen.
I am greatly indebted to an American friend who sourced this for me.
Don't know a lot about American Wrought; I believe it was an off shoot of Hay-Budden. Anyway, it's a quality anvil and I hope I can do it justice by forging nice things.

[arftist]

Had an American Wrought; it was a beauty. 302 pounds too! An ideal size for a shop anvil. You will be very pleased. It seems that a former employee of Hay Budden manufactured American Wrought anvils. 

[Black Frog]

Without pictures, it didn't happen. ;)

[njanvilman]

Without pictures, it didn't happen. ;)

Pictures of the anvil were on the 'BAY a few days ago.  It is a nice anvil in great shape.  I am sure pictures will be posted after its long journey to DownUnder.

[ausfire]

Well, Black Frog is half right. It didn't happen. One minute you own a nice anvil, 12 hours later you don't. We accepted the guy's eBay 'Buy it Now' price, arranged secure payment through Paypal, arranged for pick up and delivery to Ohio - deal done.

Then another guy arrives with a station wagon and a better cash offer and the seller backs out of the eBay sale and sells it to him. Questionable ethics, but there are people like that.

I don't know if eBay works the same there as it does in Australia but it seems to me he will still have to pay the commission on the eBay selling price of $1300. And here, once you hit the "Buy it Now" button, the seller is under obligation to sell. I think some negative eBay feedback is heading his way.

But anyway, that's history now. The anvil has gone north, not south. We'll put that behind us and continue the search. Our friend in the U.S. was angry about the whole thing, and I believe he let the seller know. He told me on the phone this morning he is more determined than ever to source another quality anvil for export to Australia. He says there are still some out there.

Anyone know of a mid size PW or HB for sale? The closer to Ohio the better.

[101 H-B]

ausfire: I've sent you a PM on this topic.

[ThomasPowers]

You are aware that in late September probably the largest annual blacksmith get together in the world takes place in Ohio---Quad-State.  We had one local fellow finally get to go---he bought *30* anvils and a trailer to haul them back on.  At US$4 a pound you would probably fill a container with anvils.

[arftist]

Well, Black Frog is half right. It didn't happen. One minute you own a nice anvil, 12 hours later you don't. We accepted the guy's eBay 'Buy it Now' price, arranged secure payment through Paypal, arranged for pick up and delivery to Ohio - deal done.

Then another guy arrives with a station wagon and a better cash offer and the seller backs out of the eBay sale and sells it to him. Questionable ethics, but there are people like that.

I don't know if eBay works the same there as it does in Australia but it seems to me he will still have to pay the commission on the eBay selling price of $1300. And here, once you hit the "Buy it Now" button, the seller is under obligation to sell. I think some negative eBay feedback is heading his way.

But anyway, that's history now. The anvil has gone north, not south. We'll put that behind us and continue the search. Our friend in the U.S. was angry about the whole thing, and I believe he let the seller know. He told me on the phone this morning he is more determined than ever to source another quality anvil for export to Australia. He says there are still some out there.

Anyone know of a mid size PW or HB for sale? The closer to Ohio the better.

You do realize that anvils are far more common and cheaper in England than in the US right? 

[Bob S]

what a letdown. good luck in your search.

[VaughnT]

Does it have to be HB or PW?  Fisher makes a mighty good anvil - not that I'm biased or anything!  :D

 

I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.

[ausfire]

Artfist; They may be more common and cheaper in England but we don't have a container coming from there. While we have one coming from the U.S. I intend to have an anvil stowaway onboard.

Bob: Yes, a disappointment. We'll keep looking. Already had a good lead from an IFI contributor.

Vaughn: No, doesn't have to be PW or HB. Fisher is fine. I just don't want a piece of junk. Too many ASO's around. I would just like to work on something nice. It's taken a lot of ram's head pokers, leaf key rings, horse shoe hooks and junk art pieces to afford one.

[Fatfudd]

Make sure that you contact Ebay with regard to the seller backing out and give them full details. When you hit the buy it now button you are fully covered under their policies and the seller not only will pay the commission fee but will probably be banned, which is deserved.

[ausfire]

 

Make sure that you contact Ebay with regard to the seller backing out and give them full details. When you hit the buy it now button you are fully covered under their policies and the seller not only will pay the commission fee but will probably be banned, which is deserved.

Well, yes, but whatever I do now won't change the outcome; it's gone and that's that. I do feel a bit ripped off though, because a "Buy it Now" button means just that. Once it's hit it's bought. I can understand the temptation the guy had when another buyer turns up with the folding stuff in hand and a wagon ready to take it. He wouldn't have to wait for Paypal to clear and would avoid putting it on a pallet and strapping it (as he had agreed to do) for freight pick up.
Still, I hope he can sleep at night because I wouldn't be able to. Do unto others...

[turbo7]

i would be contacting ebay mate, to me it adds up to some nasties that may end up with the law involved, who knows the nice people involved in the deal may decide it's better to put said anvil in the container for you, or at least wish they could.

[ThomasPowers]

Well since the anvil is off down the road and probably no name and address was exchanged it might be a bit harder for them to put it in the container...but please do follow through as it may help another smith sometime down the line.

[lloe01]

eBay.co.uk has some good anvil prices at times.
They seem way better than here in the U.S.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACKSMITHS-FORGE-ANVIL-VINTAGE-INDUSTRIAL-METAL-ENGINEERING-TOOL-CAR-WORKSHOP-/131259003057?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e8fa570b1

4 CWT anvil - pickup only tho. Wish I was back in England!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/blacksmiths-anvil-/171409686141?pt=UK_Collectable_ToolsHasdware_RL&hash=item27e8d03e7d

Maybe you can find something that cab be shipped. Good luck in your hunt :)

[ausfire]

Wow. That's one big anvil. Near 450#.
However, England is not an option for me. It will have to be U.S. where I can get free freight to Aus.

[VaughnT]

Ausfire, have you checked the selection over at oldworldanvils.com?  The guy's got a stellar reputation and more than a few beauties in the stable.  He imports them from europe, so he's familiar with packaging anvils for overseas travel.  Just a thought.

[Black Frog]

If your locked in to getting one from the U.S. so that you can get it shipped for free with your friend, have you been watching CL in the area your friend is located for possible deals that might pop up?

[ausfire]

Thanks Vaughn and Frog. Good suggestions - I will check those out. Our container is coming from Ohio. I see a HB anvil on eBay from Pennsylvania which looks pretty good. And that's the next state east isn't it?
I have never heard of Craig's List but will find out more. Old world anvils sounds interesting.

[Black Frog]

Where in Ohio?
In later Sept at the SOFA Quad State conference IN Ohio, there will be literally loads of anvils there for sale. Probably the most you'll see for sale in one place all year.

[John McPherson]

ausfire, try SearchTempest.com to search CL in a geographic area. You can put in the postal ZIP code for a city, and set parameters, say 250 mile circle from Dayton (45400), and a key word, like anvil, or blacksmith, or vise, and see what turns up.

[ausfire]

John, OK will do that.
B.F. Our container will be at a place called Bethel, in southern Ohio.

[John McPherson]

Bethel is 45106, and less than 60 miles from Dayton. I actually have been there to visit old friends.

[ausfire]

Thought I had better update this thread with some positive news. There is now an American anvil destined to make the journey to Australia. A 304# Hay-Budden, probably a bit heavier than I need for 90% of what I do, but that's OK. As an added bonus, the seller lives not too far from Ohio where our container is located. He has agreed to deliver it there around the time of the Quad States Conference.
So there ends the story.