As long as it has a flat spot as big as your hammer, it is usable. $1 a pound is a much more reasonable offer. 

As NJanvilman said, restoring a Fisher is is no easy task. 

The number under the horn is a clear 7. So it was originally about 70lbs.

A 70 lb anvil is a nice size to move around if you have to.  Only buy it is you plan on using it as is.  These are very difficult to repair, and the materials are not cheap. 

I was planning to grind down the corners and smooth out the chips (best I can, some are pretty deep)

Hopefully we can get a deal worked out and I can get a little practice anvil.

I may have lowballed too far. No response.

 

/sigh

WHEW! Big day for me! I reported to drill weekend for the US Reserves, and used this opportunity to anvil network. We've got people all around the state, after all.

I literally asked 3 people, and had to stop.

The first, his wife grew up on a farm in Nebraska. He texted her, she texted her parents. They have an anvil they'd be willing to sell and she's making a trip out there next month anyways. Waiting to hear weight and see pics.

Second person I asked, his grandpa ran a blacksmith shop out in rural MN and had "Several Anvils, one of which was enormous"

Third person, his father has an anvil sitting in his shed. I need to follow up, didn't get a lot of info before we had other stuff come up.

I asked 3 people, and got 3 solid leads, and there's probably 20 other people who strike me as possible leads as well.

Wish me luck!

WHEW! Big day for me! I reported to drill weekend for the US Reserves, and used this opportunity to anvil network. We've got people all around the state, after all.

I literally asked 3 people, and had to stop.

The first, his wife grew up on a farm in Nebraska. He texted her, she texted her parents. They have an anvil they'd be willing to sell and she's making a trip out there next month anyways. Waiting to hear weight and see pics.

Second person I asked, his grandpa ran a blacksmith shop out in rural MN and had "Several Anvils, one of which was enormous"

Third person, his father has an anvil sitting in his shed. I need to follow up, didn't get a lot of info before we had other stuff come up.

I asked 3 people, and got 3 solid leads, and there's probably 20 other people who strike me as possible leads as well.

Wish me luck!

Double post

Edited March 8, 201511 yr by Michael Spaulding

And trip post.

Edited March 8, 201511 yr by Michael Spaulding

Alright, guys. I purchased a beat up 110# anvil Friday on an EBay live auction (happening in real time against people at the auction house) for $200 (closer to $300 after dealer fees and shipping) and the next day, a pristine looking anvil shows up on craigslist "probably 100-125#" for $250. Looks to my eye to be a bit heavier than that. Only markings he could make out were "made in sweden"

Looks like he's selling his whole farm so I may be able to get some hammers and tongs out of the deal as well.

The earliest he could meet was tomorrow at 6pm, so I'll be there at 5:45 with cash and ball bearing in hand. I'm really excited about this one! I plan to have a few friends around the forge on a regular basis, so the beat up anvil will still be good to have on hand. And if I find another nice one, I can sell it and get some return on it.

The moment I had his address, I should have been in my car. He told me the earliest he could meet was tomorrow after work, but emailed me moments ago that someone showed up in his yard with cash in hand, and that the anvil is gone.

 

I don't know if frustrated, disappointed, or angry best sums up my current mood.

Michael: Don't start grinding on that little Fisher you'll do more damage to it than good! This is probably the most common way people with good intentions destroy good tools, anvils especially.

Repairing an anvil, especially a Fisher isn't something an inexperienced person can pull off. Heck, you may have repaired: HBs, Trentons, PWs etc. and you'll still have to screw up a Fisher or three before you get them figured out.

Frosty The Lucky.

It's a moot point, the Fisher never happened. I will store that information away for safe keeping, though. It may prove valuable in the future.

Most importantly, though, I won't do anything to any anvil without consulting you folk first. There's no way I'd assume I know enough to do anything without your help.