Seth O Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I found a 1918 fisher 220lb anvil that's in pretty decent shape it has some chips on it. I would post the link but it's on craiglist and you know how this site is with links. The guy wants $700.00 for it, i am very tempted to go look at it and buy it. I wish i could post a link to it so you guys could look at it. Well here is the link you can copy and paste it. http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5010074296.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 (edited) Condition doesn't look all that bad to me. I've certainly seen a lot worse. Price wise I don't think it's unreasonable. I'd certainly like to pay less, but it's not much over $3 a pound. If it was much less you'd probably have to fight me for it. It's only about 45 minutes to an hour from me. LOLFishers are nice anvils. I love my little 50 lb one and that's not a bad size. If I didn't have anvils right on either side of that one already, I'd be tempted. You might do yourself a favor and add your location to your profile so we know where you are at. There's a number of members in the general area. You might also want to join PABA (Pennsylvania artist blacksmith assn.) if you haven't already. Many of us in the area are members.http://www.pabasite.org/https://www.facebook.com/PABlacksmiths Edited May 9, 2015 by DSW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Roll on on over there with some Benjaimins and make an offer, don't do it over the phone. Offer what is comfortable for you to afford, and don't be afraid to walk away from it. Test it for rebound, and delamination first, chat him up a little letting him know that you are getting into smithing, then make your offer. A lot of times once they know that you are picking up the craft they are more willing to work with you. If you come off as a dealer, or a professional they figure you have more money to throw at things.Don't be afraid to start low, even really low depending on the vibe you get from chatting with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth O Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Thanks for the feed back, i will post back on here, if i buy it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 The chipped area on the working edge definitely takes away some of the value. But they can be worked around, and you can create a saddle to drop over the face that has the good edge you are looking for.Good luck on negotiations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth O Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Haven't got any replies yet from the two people i contacted. i will definitely keep my eyes peeled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Looks like that far side that hasn't been pictured is pretty chewed up. If the drive isn't too bad I'd be really talking him down as the price seems a little steep to me. I think a better anvil could be had at a similar or more reasonable price, though I have no idea how anvil rich your area is. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I think a better anvil could be had at a similar or more reasonable price, though I have no idea how anvil rich your area is.There's a fair number of anvils in the area, but the Amish and Mennonites tend to run prices up many times. So do a lot of the antiques dealers in the area. The family I rent my shop space from are clearing out the last of the stuff from the old business, and sending it all out to auction out that way to Lancaster. The Mennonite who runs the auction just about fell over himself drooling over my 3 anvils, my big swage block, all my tongs, my 3 post vices and my 2 forges. He REALLY wanted them to go to auction ( hence the reason I was there the day he came so I made sure all my stuff stayed.) He knew he could get top dollar for all my forging stuff at the auction with all the Amish and Mennonites in the area he's at.I've run into those guys at a couple of auctions. They'll run older converted belt driven tools sky high, with many times beat units bringing close to what they would new. As long as they save a few bucks, they are happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everything Mac Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) There's a fair number of anvils in the area, but the Amish and Mennonites tend to run prices up many times. So do a lot of the antiques dealers in the area. The family I rent my shop space from are clearing out the last of the stuff from the old business, and sending it all out to auction out that way to Lancaster. The Mennonite who runs the auction just about fell over himself drooling over my 3 anvils, my big swage block, all my tongs, my 3 post vices and my 2 forges. He REALLY wanted them to go to auction ( hence the reason I was there the day he came so I made sure all my stuff stayed.) He knew he could get top dollar for all my forging stuff at the auction with all the Amish and Mennonites in the area he's at.I've run into those guys at a couple of auctions. They'll run older converted belt driven tools sky high, with many times beat units bringing close to what they would new. As long as they save a few bucks, they are happy.Fair enough. It's quite hard to offer advice as things are just so different over here in the UK. At the end of the day if you can afford it then buy it. I'm a hard negotiator, I'll never pay full price if I can avoid it. $500 would be my preferred price to pay. But as I said, that far edge looks pretty beaten up. If you don't need it I'd be very tempted to pass it up. There's 3 Fisher anvils I know of in the UK. I have one and a friend of mine has another. The third was bigger than both of them and was too far away for me to go for. I can certainly understand the appeal if that's what you're after. Andy Edited May 11, 2015 by Everything Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.