My father In-Law has given me an anvil to get me started. The anvil has a lot of chips to the side and also a lot of gashes and gouges on the face, and horn. It appears that someone has abused the anvil before I got it. It has worked well for me but I am looking for ways on how to dress the anvil up. I've done a lot of googling on anvil restoration and have heard mixed reviews. Tell me what you guys think of the anvil any tips about fixes are welcomed with open arms. I have attached a few pictures of said anvil for you to look at. I believe it is a 1820 - 1835: M&H ARMITAGE MOUSEHOLE anvil from googling the name not he side, not sure tho let me know what you guys think. Thanks for your time in viewing my post.... may your hammer be mighty.

                                      

 

 

Matt

 

 

For a Mousehole it is a good one.  Mine is in a lot worse shape.  Very common for these anvils to be rough since many would work the materials cold back in the day.  I'd just use it as it is.  The dents aren't going to any worse than the hammer marks you will leave.  It would be a good beginners anvil.  Looks just like mine, just in better shape.

Would a steel plate using the hardy hole on top of the anvil cause it any damage? I was thinking about having someone refinish it but I just can't bring myself to do anything to it.... Thanks for the input

According to your numbers the anvils is 180 to 190 years old. You should look so good at 190 and still able to do another life time of work. The best way to polish up the face of the any anvil is to work hot metal on it for 10 hours or so. 

 

As to dressing up the anvil, do not disturb the patina on the anvil. It took more years to build up that patina than you have left on this earth. You expect a car paint to last a lifetime (10 or so years today) with the original coat of paint. So prep the metal, a good primer, a good top coat (I suggest plaid) and maybe a clear coat. Otherwise oil it once a week. Using the anvil is much better than letting one sit.

 

If you need a clean face or sharp corners, then put a hardie post on a steel plate, add side bars to keep it from moving around and be happy. If you wear out the plate in several years work, then make another one, as it is just a tool to provide a smooth surface and sharp corners.  As to the rounded corners on the anvil, learn to use them to your advantage.

 

At 190 years old, the anvil will still out last you and anything you want to make. Anyone with a buzz box and an ego can destroy an anvil on the first try. Few know how to actually REPAIR a damaged anvil and your anvil is certainly NOT damaged.  Protect it, use it, and pass it on to the next owner so they can enjoy working on their NEW anvil. 

 

PS

If you want a perfect face, buy a perfectly new anvil. You can then take a grinder to modify it to something you read about on the internet and ding it with your own hammer as you see fit. After all it is your anvil.

Yah I can't bring myself to let someone work on it, I'm just going to use a steel plate for finishing touches. I feel that if i went changing the anvil and trying to change its character it would somehow take away from it... I dunno just my thoughts i'm leaving it the way it is!=D

would it be okay to wire brush the sides of the anvil to remove the rust?

Hi, 

 

Nice anvil you got there! A light wirebrushing won't hurt her but you should consider is it really necessary... From the photos I don't think it needs more than a bit oiling. ...well, and some forge work done on it... anvils like that...

 

Happy hammering!

 

Gergely

using it will clean it up best

I don't see anything that needs doing to that anvil other than working on it.  If there's loose flaky rust on the sides, you can knock it off with a hand-held wire brush like welders use.  Other than that, forge some hot iron on it and enjoy knowing that you're doing the same thing someone was doing a150 years ago.

 

My main anvil was cast in 1882 and every time I forge on her, I'm reminded of the footsteps I'm following.  It's a powerful thing.

That fine old lady has earned every line on her and she's still got generations of good solid work left. I wouldn't do more than give her a light brushing, some oil and hot steel.

 

Nice score, very nice score.

 

Frosty The Lucky.