minaret Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I am new to the forum and would appreciate any advice on this topic. I have been blacksmithing for a couple years and I am thinking about purchasing this anvil, but I can't tell if the waist is tweaked or whether this is a profile that Hay Budden used? I haven't seen any that jut so far forward. My first thought was that something was wrong with it, but after looking at it I wonder if this profile is intentional. It is 250# and is well priced. The serial number is #16254. Any feedback regarding the anvil is greatly appreciated, particularly whether something is wrong with the waist/base. Thanks yall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I think the shape is OK for a forged anvil. Its not going anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 With that low serial number I would expect it to maybe be a bit more "forged" in appearence. If the face has good rebound and ring the body could be twisted and I wouldn't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minaret Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 Thanks for the advice, that makes sense to me. I was paranoid that someone had possibly done something to it but if it was forged that way by Hay Budden then I love it even more. Going to check out now to see about the rebound/ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozenforge Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Check the rebound, looks like its had some welding done to the face. Still be worth it if the price is right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minaret Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 I checked it out and it definitely has had some welding done to it. Looks like mainly at the edges of the face. The rebound is about 75%. At $1.50/lb I just went ahead and bought it. Not sure if that's a good deal with the welding on it, but they don't come up for sale very often in Central Texas. I am planning to clean it up, grind/flatten the welds, and work over the face with very fine wet sandpaper. Is that a good approach or any other thoughts on that? I'm unsure what may or may not do further damage to the face. Any advice is appreciated. Here are a few photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 While it is possible to do a proper weld repair on an anvil face; *MOST* are not done right using a proper preheat and slow cool and the right rod(s) and so any weld repair is generally considered suspect. Those do not look good; but It's an anvil! Flatten the welds and give a light buzz over the face with an angle grinder with a sanding disk, smooth the edges where they look rough and get to smithing---it'll pay for a better one in little time *and* they seem to act as decoys to lure more in! Someday a local ABANA affiliate may offer an anvil repair clinic and you might get it gussied up a bit more; but as it stands it's more anvil that most folks had for the first 1000+ years of the iron age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 While it is possible to do a proper weld repair on an anvil face; *MOST* are not done right using a proper preheat and slow cool and the right rod(s) and so any weld repair is generally considered suspect. Those do not look good; but It's an anvil! Flatten the welds and give a light buzz over the face with an angle grinder with a sanding disk, smooth the edges where they look rough and get to smithing---it'll pay for a better one in little time *and* they seem to act as decoys to lure more in! Someday a local ABANA affiliate may offer an anvil repair clinic and you might get it gussied up a bit more; but as it stands it's more anvil that most folks had for the first 1000+ years of the iron age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 this is the first time I beat frosty to this! it helps if you put your general location it your profile, you may be surprised by how many smiths are in the area and can help with advice and tools. you never know someone in the area might have an anvil their willing to sell (or even give you)! Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minaret Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Awesome, thank you for the guidance on getting the anvil work-ready. I'm going to do what you've recommended. And thanks for advice on putting in my location; I'm going to set up my profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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