Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Hello everybody. I am happy that I found this place as I want to learn blacksmithing. I would like to get my first anvil and have found one locally for sale. The price is within my budget but I am doubting about the condition of the face. Is there anybody here that can help me, if possible with the pictures provided, to tell me what kind of condition it is in. The anvil is an M&H Armitage Mouse Hole Forge 1.0.24 Seller is saying that it is 126 lbs and that it is in great condition. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Looks very good. Do a rebound test and visually inspect the top for any signs of delaminating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Face looks quite good from what I can see what are the issues you are worried about? and 1.0.24 should be 136 pounds (1x112 + 0x28 + 24) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Couple of minor chips on the edges only (no torch cuts, weld repairs, horrible swayback, etc.) = great condition 100 year old tool.Jump on it, QUICK, if the price is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 I just wanted to get someone else's opinion. This is my first time buying an anvil and I really could not tell from looking at it since this anvil is apparently really old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Sounds good. I am going to pick it up this afternoon. I excited to get to learning. Thanks for your feed back gentlemen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Actually no, for anvils to be really old they generally have to date before 1800, many if not most of use use 100 year old anvils every time we smith they are "common". Mouse Hole is a good brand of English anvil, one of the two english brands most commonly found in the USA the other being Peter Wright. The check we usually suggest is to take a ball peen hammer and tap the face; it should "ring" a dull sound or a fuzzy sound usually means a hidden crack or face delamination.The other test is the ball bearing test: take a 1" ball bearing and a ruler. Drop the ball bearing on the anvil from the 10" marking on the ruler and see how far it bounces back anything over 7" is acceptable and 8-9 is great! This test shows if the face has lost it's temper over the years usually due to being in a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 ok, when I have access to it, I will do both tests. Once I have it, if everything checks out, is there anything I need to do to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Yes, fasten it to a stump and USE it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Place glowing steel on the face and hit the glowing steel with a hammer---repeatedly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 lol, I'm drinking a beer at Chili's and just read those two posts and nearly spit out some beer. I guess my question was dumb but the responses sure broughta smile to my face. haha, thanks fellas cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Welcome aboard, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance.Not a dumb question at all. It's always nice to know as much of the history of your tools as reasonably possible. In some cases it can make a difference knowing how a thing was made, usually though it's just NICE to know.Now put that grand old lady to work and post pics of what you make.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjølner Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 I went to pick it up today. It was smaller than I thought but when I picked it up I was amazed that something so small could weight so much. It looks old but in great shape. From the testing I did it should be acceptable, I think. It had a ring to it but I could not distinguish if it was enough or what kind. The ball bearing test was a little heard to measure but it was doing more than 7 so I think that is fine. How can I clean the surface rust or dirt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Wire brush then hot steel and a hammer will shine her up. An anvil doesn't do it's job with shine, it does it by resisting the force applied and seeing as the hammer doesn't stop on contact the HOT steel has to moosh. Shine is such an infinitesimal component as to have no meaning.Sure, brush the sides and finish as makes you happy, I was really pleased with LPS-3 sprayed on a coffee cup warm anvil body. It used to have the finish found in "The Art Of Blacksmithing," By Alex Bealer though I used parafinn rather than bees wax. It held up nicely for a decade or so but it's not forever.No, NO NO sanding or grinding!Just put her to work, let the rest take care of itself.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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