Michael Gendron Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Im looking into buying my first anvil and have no idea what to look for in terms of quality or condition. I have a chance to buy this 170# trenton anvil for 350 obo. Can anyone tell me what its worth and what shape its in? I have not seen it in person and this is the only photo availible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozenforge Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Based on what I can see for condition, and even though we have no idea where in the world your are from, at that price it is well worth the risk that it might be soft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 Sorry for lack of info. Im in Maine and there arent a whole lot of anvils for sale around here. When you say soft what do you mean? Im a disabled vet looking to take up blacksmithing as a hobby for something to do. I have zero experience or knowledge of blacksmithing or the tools that go along with it so any info and advice is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 It looks good for the price. I've used a 250# Trenton for 35 years, and I like it. Trenton was one of the trusted manufacturers of anvils in the U.S. Doug Wilson is a smith in Little Deer Isle and the New England School of Metalwork is in Maine. They'd probably tell you the same as I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Anvils that have been in a fire can be "soft" as they can loose their heat treatment. You can do a rebound test on the anvil in question to tell you a lot about that particular anvil. Myself, I've always liked the lines of Trenton anvils and I'd happily pay that if it is in good condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 Thanks for the responses, what would be the best way to test for rebound and when i go look at it in person what would i be looking at/for to tell me what kind of condition its in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Look up the ball bearing test though a lot of loose rust on the face could throw it off a bit. Tapping it with a ball peen hammer will work it should bounce the hammer back up at you rather than a thud. Trenton's are ringing anvils and that one sitting loose should TING with a hammer tap. For that area a good price and may disappear FAST unless you have a solid deal on it NOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Get it before its gone. I have a hundered pound Trenton and love it! Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batesblacksmithshop Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 have anvil in patten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Patten is a hell of a drive from where i live.. what do you have and what are you asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Well i went to look at the anvil today but i didnt have a ball bearing or ball peen hammer. I used a framing hammer and i could hear a ring all over but the tone was lighter in the middle on the face and on the side of the anvil. There was alot of surface rust and pitting. He said he would take 300 and hold on to it for me while i did more research on it. Also he believes its a trenton but not sure, he found it burried in his back yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Main, usable condition, under $2 a pound---as long as it had some bounce it's a user as mentioned elsewhere forging hot steel on the face will smooth out and polish out rust pitting. You can see the thickness of the hardened face on the side and so see WHY you don't want to grind or mill on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Is there anyway i could identify the maker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Yes the location of the serial number and the caplet indentation on the bottom and the conformation will pretty much nail it down. I'd have to double check it in AinA when I get home from work as my copy is in a different country right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Thanks that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Get buying it. That isa good price for a good anvil. Get it before someone else does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Trenton anvil, but please take a close-up pic of the side horn facing to the right. If there's any faint remains of the Trenton logo that's where they would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stash Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 For that price I'd be all over it like hot sauce on a burrito. Hope it is in your shop now. Looks good from what I see. It's a steal. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Confucious, said that a man who hesitates before taking a step is condemned to spend life on one foot. Just saying. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 I just went and bought it.. whats the best way to clean it up? Wire wheel for a grinder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 I'd use a twisted cup wheel on my LARGE angle grinder and wear a face shield to protect my eyes and face mask to protect my lungs and hearing protectors to protect my ears. Keep everyone else away whilst cleaning it. Forgot to mention a leather apron to deflect thrown wires too! If you have a friend with a sand blaster that would work too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Gendron Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 I will get it cleaned up and post some more pictures. I didnt notice any markings on or near the horn location but maybe after i clean it up something will show... the guy did say he found it burried in his yard so maybe it rusted off?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) l.Wire brushing is a good way to remove rust . But heavy grinding can ruin the tool. After wire brushing consider an electrolysis bath to remove the residual rust or help loosen the crud. There are some excellent threads on electrolysis on this site, I know because I have spent a good deal of time studying them. Best of luck and success. SLAG. Edited May 23, 2016 by SLAG clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloe01 Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Take a picture of it with the horn pointing to the right. in the center of the side should be a diamond shape and the word Trenton or Trexton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 16 hours ago, Michael Gendron said: I just went and bought it.. whats the best way to clean it up? Wire wheel for a grinder? Wire brush; yes Grinder: no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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