GreaseMnky85 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 So I'm looking to buy an anvil a guy I work with has. He says it weights approx 275 I didn't see any marking on it and had a nice ring. I'm going to go back again this weekend but I'm going to take my grinder and check to see if it's cast iron or steel. Any information would be great. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarry Dog Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) I'm fairly certain that the anvil isn't cast iron. I say this based on the handling holes under the horn. Also based on that, I believe what you're looking at is a forge welded wrought iron anvil. I can't tell if there's a maker mark/weight stamping/serial number from the pictures. I'm not sure, but I think I see the welded tool steel face, with a little bit of minor abuse from someone that got a little happy with a chisel. I'm sure ther will be someone that will have better input than mine, but it is a start. Edited May 12, 2015 by Quarry Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seldom (dick renker) Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 why the grinder? grinders and anvils dont mix well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 flats on the feet with a handling hole in them. My bet is that it's a Peter Wright and will be a wrought iron body and steel faced anvil. As cast iron and wrought iron can look similar when spark tested you may not learn much with the grinder.A better test would be the ball bearing test.Note any weight markings will be in the CWT system X Y Z => X x 112 + Y x 28 + Z = weight in pounds. (and Y should be 0-3 and Z 0-27) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Please don't take a grinder to it. I doubt it's a cast aso. Those handling holes aren't there for decoration. Way better to take a ball bearing or small ball peen hammer and check for rebound. If the anvil is dead, you don't want it. Even if it sparks well it could still have a delamination problem you wouldn't know about without doing a rebound test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The only way I would go near that anvil with a grinder would be with a sanding pd TP blend c.some of the worst chiped edges so the become working surfaces instead of blemishes and I would use it a wile first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 If you get it, don't get grinder happy on the face to polish it up. Use it as is for awhile to see how it does. You can easily ruin the top by grinding it too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Handling holes and ledges on the feet are much too crisp to be an ASO. The different texture between the face and body says wrought iron/steel face to me.I have found that taking even a few thousandths of an inch off the face will drop the face hardness from the 50's to the 40's on the Rockwell C scale. So go gently with any sanders or grinders. Far better to massage the face with a polished rounded 4 lb sledge hammer to even out the dents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMnky85 Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Ok no grinder! This is why I posted pictures and asked. There are no markings on the body anywhere. I was thinking about flipping it over and do a spark test on the bottom of one of the feet. But not anymore now. thanks for all your Guys input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMnky85 Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Is $200 to much for an anvil like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 At $200 your stealing it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) $200 for a 275 pound anvil and you should have bought it already.Take it home and make something nice for the fellow that sold it to you. Then put it to use so the anvil can pay for itself. Put some light oil or ATF on the anvil to slow down any rusting.Please add your location to your profile as there may be blacksmiths near you. Edited May 12, 2015 by Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 grinder !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Yes a grinder is a common method of telling steel from cast iron. Not appropriate in this case; but at least they are aware of the difference and wanted to be sure to avoid an ASO. We tend to yell at folks who buy without testing; I'm not going to come down on someone who was going to test even if the method was not the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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