Earthworm Jim Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I have the opportunity to purchase a new anvil with some small cracks in it, and, as a result, a pretty good discount. I'm curious to know what you think about the condition. Will these cracks need to be repaired? Could they worsen with use? The placement of the cracks seems a bit inconvenient, since they are on the corners of the side shelf. Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated. Here are some pictures of the anvil face: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 You likely won't be spending a lot of time doing heavy forging on the shelf. If the price is good, I would jump all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 You are risking a lot buying this unless the discount is VERY substantial, like 80% off. (Really). The cracks will start worsening as soon as you start using it, eventually the shelf will break off, no telling how effective a repair could be since there was obviously a mistake made. The direction of the crack is particularly disturbing. If you know a lot about metallurgy and welding,and heat treating and they can tell you why it cracked, then it could possibly be a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthworm Jim Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 The discount is about 30% off, and still expensive post-discount, so I'm not sure I'm up for the financial risk. I mean, I'm still young enough to be financially irresponsible and recover, but that's no excuse :P. I'm not terribly fond of the possibility the shelf may break off, so I think I'm going to pass. I may as well purchase a cheaper anvil without the shelf. If anyone is curious, its a 275lb Refflinghaus, #58. The price, post-discount, is $1680. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 The cracks in/near corners are stress riser fractures. These were caused by improper casting/cooling. Like the others, I think these will keep moving until it fails. They are still shallow though, a good welder might be able to salvage it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 It would cost you to have a reputable weldor fix it, and even then it just may postpone the problem. I would want a bigger discount for new damaged goods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I agree with asking for a bigger discount but in reality, there is a lot of anvil face to work on besides the shelf. The cracks are likely voids from the casting process so rather than welding on it, those areas could be radiused with a grinder to blend and possible remove the imperfections. I seriously doubt the shelf will break off unless you start whaling on it with a sledge. But in any case, it's probably closer to a $600-$800 anvil if the seller will go that far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Not at that price. A person doesn't buy a 275lb. anvil unless s/he intends to do heavy work and that one is a failed piece. I can't imagine Refflinghaus let that one go anywhere but the reject/remelt pile. If it didn't come from the factory with those flaws then they're from failing in use. I wouldn't give much more than 3x scrap price for it unless I wanted to weld it on a post for display out by the road. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judson Yaggy Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 $200 more will get you an undamaged 250# Fontanini german pattern anvil, 100% made in the USA. Google if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthworm Jim Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 This feedback is wonderful! Thank you all for your contributions. I may give a counter-offer that is around $600-$800, but I doubt the seller will go that far. Plus, I'll still have to pay for the shipping and everything, being several states away and all. I'd rather not take the risk and purchase a new damaged anvil. Again, thank you all for your feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 This feedback is wonderful! Thank you all for your contributions. I may give a counter-offer that is around $600-$800, but I doubt the seller will go that far. Plus, I'll still have to pay for the shipping and everything, being several states away and all. I'd rather not take the risk and purchase a new damaged anvil. Again, thank you all for your feedback. Read Jason's post above. Those are seriously good anvils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthworm Jim Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 $200 more will get you an undamaged 250# Fontanini german pattern anvil, 100% made in the USA. Google if need be. I have indeed looked at the Fontanini's. From what I can tell from other posts about new anvil purchases, they are quite popular. Curiously, what are some thoughts on this one? Seems rather reasonably priced. http://www.incandescent-iron.com/24parhan.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 For a few bucks more you can get a Penddinghaus Search Ridgid 69642 Model 12 Forged Anvil Steves Rhino anvils seem to be pretty good though. I know several folks with them that love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 If you go with a Peddinghaus Home Depot carries Rigid tools and Rigid now handles(owns?) Peddinghaus. . . Sooooo order it through Home Depot and if they have a load coming that way you might get a break on shipping. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Rhino anvils are seriously good anvils too. They are very reasonably priced as compared to many other makes of new anvils. You wouldn't go wrong with one of those. As for Peddinghaus, several on line companies are offering them at a price between $1400 and $1500 so it would be a good choice for either. Look up toolup or plumbersstock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kailey Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 The discount is about 30% off, and still expensive post-discount, so I'm not sure I'm up for the financial risk. I mean, I'm still young enough to be financially irresponsible and recover, but that's no excuse :P. I'm not terribly fond of the possibility the shelf may break off, so I think I'm going to pass. I may as well purchase a cheaper anvil without the shelf. If anyone is curious, its a 275lb Refflinghaus, #58. The price, post-discount, is $1680. I wouldnt pay more then Scrap price because it is just a matter of time and that it what your going to have. I would think that that anvil has issues all thru out the whole thing, its got the cancer!!!!!. Rhino 240lb is $1250.00 life time warranty. i have one and love it. Your just wasting your money anything over scrape price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthworm Jim Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 I called Home Depot about the Peddinghaus anvils, and apparently their "global" warehouse is their online site. In other words: if a product is not listed on their site, Home Depot does not offer that product. In fact, they do all of their ordering for their stock through the same online interface that a customer would. They may special order an anvil if I called their "Pro" department and asked, but I have a feeling that a special order from Home Depot (if even possible) will be more expensive than someplace else who naturally provides the product. That is just speculation, though. I found some Peddinghaus anvils at https://www.plumbersstock.com/searchResults/?query=ridgid+anvil, and they have a pretty good discount. They ship by freight, which is about $200 for the 165# Model 9, and $260 for the 275# Model 12. I also have a few tool vendors close by that can possibly order an anvil at a much better price, so I'll give them a call before I place an order myself. Aside from price and availability, I do like the placement of the hardy hole on the Peddinghaus, as well as the upsetting block (although I think the only model with the upsetting block is the Model 12). The Rhino doesn't have either of those, and the Fontanini is definitely more expensive. I'm thinking a Peddinghaus anvil is the way to go, at least for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Jim, I would not presume to try and talk you out of a new anvil but really nice used ones come up on Craigslist all the time. There is a nice Trenton in Cleveland right now that looks decent from the pics. At the least, it's another source of information. Best of luck, Hollis W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthworm Jim Posted August 17, 2014 Author Share Posted August 17, 2014 Jim, I would not presume to try and talk you out of a new anvil but really nice used ones come up on Craigslist all the time. There is a nice Trenton in Cleveland right now that looks decent from the pics. At the least, it's another source of information. Best of luck, Hollis W I agree, that anvil looks pretty nice, and is probably only an hour drive or so away. Although I'm not opposed to purchasing a used anvil, I'm (fortunately) able to afford a new one. It may be a bit ambitious, but if I can purchase one brand new anvil to meet my needs indefinitely (and potential future needs, like much heavier projects), and avoid purchasing/trading for a second anvil sometime later in life, I'm satisfied with the accompanied price tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I happened to be talking to Dick Nietfeld yesterday, he's the sole distributor for Refflinghaus anvils in the US. He mentioned that he had several of these #58 275lb anvils that he was selling that had cracks in them and I remembered this thread. He said that he doubted that the cracks would ever get worse and that if the shelf ever broke off Reffinghaus would replace the anvil. With that piece of info it would seem that a 30% discount on a Refinghaus anvil is a pretty good deal for someone looking for a new anvil with a limited budget. There is no mention of these anvils on his website so you'd have to call him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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