Looking for anvil in SoCal; need advice

[federalist]

Hello, I am just starting out and looking for a small anvil or rail section.  I have tried forging nails on my vise's "anvil", but its surface and my nails were badly marred.  I need advice on where to look besides Craigslist and Ebay.  I am located in Los Angeles.  Any pointers on what to look for in an anvil - such as material, weight, or signs of wear -  would also be much appreciated!  

[Quarry Dog]

  Short version: Look everywhere, but don't waste time digging in the weeds unless you have good reason to (I've found good stuff in the weeds, when I had reason to look).  Start with asking everybody you come across, and leave a number.

  Long version:  Since you're just starting out, don't forget to check heavy equipment rental places and dealerships.  Think Caterpillar or Komatsu.  A worn out "pin" from a larger loader/excavator/etc would make an excellent anvil.  Imagine +3" round by +8" long of hardened steel.  I've also seen heavier forklift tines make a pretty nice looking anvil.  Any of this stuff properly mounted and dressed would make a very good start.  If you can't get one that way, try looking for any sizeable (40+ pounds) piece of steel at a scrap yard, if you can find one that will sell to the public.  I also accidentally scored 2 three foot lengths of track (120 and 140, weight per yard) through a contact at a local welding supply that I deal with regularly, which I found surprising as I don't really think of California as a big railroad state, at least not like I've seen back east or in the south.

  Eventually you will probably get it in your head that you "need" (want) a "real" (london pattern) anvil.  Do not buy one from harbor freight/northern tool/etc.  They are cheap cast iron and won't hold up much better than your vice.  My best advice is to contact a local blacksmithing organization, or the California Blacksmith Association, take whatever classes they offer, and after that if you still like it, hang around and show that you are serious.  You will almost certainly see a few fair deals after a few months.  You won't get the best deal this way (they know they have a good tool), but you shouldn't get gouged either(they won't charge antique dealer prices, unless it's pre-19th century or something that you'd be afraid to hit for fear of destroying history).  The price will be fair (although probably higher than in other states, since it is California and this stuff ain't that common here.  Expect $2 a pound, maybe less, probably more, unless you're lucky like me), and most likely they will have good insight into the condition of the anvil.

  If you want to go the "cheap" route to a real anvil, start small.  Get leads at places that you'd be anyway.  Ask your friends, bartender, mechanic, that one cute grocery clerk...  If that doesn't work you could go spend your time (a lot of time) at swap meets, flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, or go into the rural areas and start asking around, but you'll probably spend more money in gas and time than you would on the anvil, and you probably wouldn't be as sure of the condition.  I would save this until you have more experience, as these beasties seem to follow you around, bear more of their souls, and tell you more of their history after you've been around them for awhile, and read about them.

  I'm not saying to take all this as gospel, as I've only been doing this for a few years, but It's pretty much how I've seen it, and as I've heard it from more experienced craftsman than myself.  It also seems to be the same way with any tools or oddities that you might be looking for.

[SReynolds]

You go over to the track at Arcadia aka the World Famous Santa Anita. There are hordes of farriers there. They have anvils and can hook you up with a used one or a new one I would guess. Many old anvils will be marred. if you think your vice anvil is bad, look at some old anvils. Nails don't need to look smooth and polished. Unless you sell them as a decorative item I suppose?

[notownkid]

Reply from Quarry Dog is 100% correct.

 "Short version: Look everywhere, but don't waste time digging in the weeds unless you have good reason to (I've found good stuff in the weeds, when I had reason to look).  Start with asking everybody you come across, and leave a number. "

Look Everywhere, Ask Everywhere, Ask Everyone, limited only by your imagination.  I recently had a couple of badly rusted small RR tracks I needed to get rid of and the scrap yard wouldn't take as I wasn't a licensed Contractor but a dump truck came in behind me and the yard guy asked him if he would do me a favor which he did.  Afterwards I was talking with the contractor and he said he cleaned up properties and tore down small buildings old barns and shed.  I asked if he had run into old blacksmith stuff like anvils and vises and he said occasionally, I gave him my card and said call me I'll do a lot better than the scrap yard.  Wouldn't have thought of these guys and he asked for a couple other cards as he had a brother and cousin in the same business so we will see what comes of this. 

They show up when you least expect them and from places that will surprise you, BUT it takes time and you are not the only person looking for them, it's a weekly question on this site.

Good luck 

 

[GIJosh]

It took me almost two years to get a good quality anvil. Everyone recommended a piece of track just to get started but I was stubbornly patient and waited till I got my hands on a real steel anvil. If you aren't so patient I recommend rail track. 

I'd recommend looking for other blacksmiths and metal workers in your area first. If they don't have something laying around I'd be amazed. Someone recommended  Looking for a farrier which would be a good idea assuming you have horses in the L.A.area.

If you were nearer to me I could actually give you a piece of track.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I have seen several anvils that were priced under $3 a pound on the various L.A. craigslists. You have to check it a couple of times every day to get them though. 

Do not get hung up on the idea that to be a blacksmith you have to have a London pattern anvil. That design is only around 200 years old, while smithing is much older. Look at the homemade anvils on the forums, and look at what is being used for anvils in YouTube videos from other countries. An anvil is just a mass that you use to back up the hammer blows while working hot steel. In your area you have several large scrap yards, rental yards, repair facilities, machine and fab shops, etc that can provide suitable anvils to work on. What you have to do is be able to recognize them as they are camouflaged as forklift tines, excavator parts, large shafting, thick plate, billets, and more. You just need to learn how to differentiate between steel items, and cast iron items like tractor weights.  A good anvil is one that has a face larger than the face of the hammer you are using, and enough mass to back up the blow solidly. To me , rail is not a great shape due to the thin web, but on end it is more effective at the cost of a smaller working surface. A forklift fork tine is great material, already heat treated, and one tine can make a 100#+ anvil. A big sledgehammer head will also make a good anvil when mounted correctly.  Scrap is down right now, so you can get a 200# chunk of steel for around $50. How many 200#  "real" anvils do you see for that price today?

Don't let the lack of a factory made anvil keep you from starting this journey. 

[federalist]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I have been actively searching heavy equipment listings on CL and looking for metal salvage yards in LA.  No luck yet, but I don't mind the scavenger hunt.  For my first anvil, I am thinking of buying a block of tool steel and mounting it in a heavy vise.  

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

There was a yard on Slauson? that had a pile of forklifts a few years ago, so they do get them in. Matter of fact there were several yards along that road.  You may need to get in the truck, and take a drive to visit them.