AnthonyG Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 I have an old anvil and I can't see any makers marks on it. More importantly there doesn't seem to be a flat spot anywhere on the top of it!Am I right in thinking if I were able to grind the top flat I would go through whats left of the hardened material? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Don't grind it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Grinding and milling is almost always a bad idea, tho the tool steel top may be up to an inch thick, just taking off a few thousands can reduce the hardess by 10 points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 It looks flat down in the bottom of the depression. I'd pay a little for one like that but it wouldn't be much. How big is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Being the old side of the pond one never knows if its a using tool or a museim peice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 It's usable as it stands for most blacksmithing; get a large chunk of steel with at least 1 flat side for the rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foundryman Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 That anvil looks perfectly usable to me, don't grind the poor thing, it looks to be an older anvil to my (untrained) eye, just keep it as it is and use it for what it was intended, it got into that condition through use after all, and if it was good enough for it's previous 'smith it'll be good enough for you.If you want one with a nice flat face and crisp edges keep an eye on ebay and be prepared to travel a little and you'll have yourself a fine anvil in no time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Oh PLEASE don't do ANY grinding on that fine old lady! A flat anvil face is probably almost as over rated as a horn. A convex face aids in drawing operations while a concave face aids in straightening. The times a person needs a flat surface are mostly to CHECK if they've gotten a piece straight, NOT to forge against. I use a steel ruler if I'm not sure my eyeball is as accurate as it needs to be.I wouldn't do more than take a wire brush to that old lady and put her to work. The face will shine right up under hot iron/steel and hammer. The flat face issue will become moot as YOUR skills grow. If a flat face is a MUST just buy a piece of flat bar.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 Thanks for all the advice, I wont try and improve it.I'll give it a good clean up and get it mounted at a good working height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 It looks flat down in the bottom of the depression. I'd pay a little for one like that but it wouldn't be much. How big is it?What do you mean by size, weight?Its about 18" long and the top is about 5" wide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 We usually mean weight when we ask size on an anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 It looks flat down in the bottom of the depression. I'd pay a little for one like that but it wouldn't be much. How big is it?We usually mean weight when we ask size on an anvil. 30kg at a guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 when I clean an anvil or similar I start by looking for markings in the normal places,then I use a pressure washer to remove whats loose and look again,then I use a wire brush by hand, not one on a grinder!then if needed alternate between washing and brushing until any marks are revealedto clean it up more it is best to just use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 I'd definitely enjoy having an anvil like that. Contrary to popular opinion, there are a lot of curving and dishing exercises to be done by a blacksmith. It's not all straight lines and smooth tapers! That anvil's seen some work on her, and there's no telling the things she's seen. Clean her up and give her a steady diet of iron to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 It looks flat side to side, just not lengthwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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