Rmartin2 Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Just as the title says. What is wrong with Vulcan anvils? I have a 150 pounder and its a big step up from the railroad track I was using before. Ok they are cast iron with a thin tool steel face? My neighbors love cast iron anvils (because they haven complained yet) and my hammer can't tell exactly how thin the face is. I have dropped a ball bearing on the face without a ruler and estimate 75-80% rebound. My hammer can really tell that this exists over the RR track. So if I were to forge side by side to a better anvil (say a Hay Budden) what will I find that better about that anvil? Why is a Vulcan a beginner/low end anvil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 The thin face means that it will wear out sooner and require a little more care. They tend to be lower on the quality scale too. I have one where the face has been worn through and the horn has broken off showing large casting voids that intersect the surface and should NEVER been sold. Several I have used had rather soft faces. Fisher's are quiet anvils too and have a thicker face and a generally higher level of quality. Vulcans are sort of the "Ford Escort" of the anvil world; they will serve you well within their parameters but are not the best you can have. You also do not expect to pay the same for a Ford Escort as for a Mercedes Benz. Why is a Mercedes Benze better than a Ford Escort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rmartin2 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 8 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: Why is a Mercedes Benze better than a Ford Escort? Maybe the Escort is better because its affordable. Is it better to drive an Escort than walk? I guess my RR track was a bicycle. Seriouslu though I do see your points. I guess I can answer my own questions after a few years on the Vulcan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 As long as you are hitting hot metal on it it will treat you right. I have never had a problem with my 150 lb Vulcan. I like it. I like my reflinghaus better but have never disliked my Vulcan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rmartin2 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 Matto, what do you like better about the refflighaus? I would love to have one, but they are pricy. My next anvil will likely be a TFS or Peddinghaus. Looking for used, good priced anvils is exhausting. I was lucky that a friend of mine had the Vulcan he wasn't using and I got it for a great price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 I have a 150# Vulcan that came out of a closed high school metal shop, but my 260# Fisher is my main anvil. Compared to the Fisher, or my Hay Budden, Peter Wright, Sodefors, or the JHM a Vulcan is pretty chunky shape wise. The horns are very fat, as well as the heel. many of the Vulcans I see for sale are really beat up, more so than other brands. As mentioned before, the casting quality is not as good as other makes, and the thinner top plate can cause issues....but, if you keep those points in mind and only hit hot steel you should be fine. As you stated, it is a step up from your RR rail, and as long as you treat it properly it should do the job for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 I consider the Vulcan about the lowest tier of "real" anvils but it definitely a "real" anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redeagle Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 I have a 150lb Vulcan anvil. I have no complaints and it provides me all the same ability of other anvils. it's quiet too. I don't think a "lower tier" anvil means you can do an many things. Your not limited as if it can't make something you could on another anvil. The quality aspect is more about how much rough use it will take without damage. I think the edge will chip easier since it is a thin top plate. It might lose flat easier over time or take damage if you hit it cold that another might handle ok. But if you take care if it, it's a good 150lb anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.C. Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 I own a Trenton, a Soderfors, and a modern GE. BUT I have used a friend's Vulcan, and, despite significant abuse, it was still a good anvil. Have some been abused to the point of failure? Absolutely. But so have Trenton, Hay Buddens, Mouseholes, and even my beloved Soderfors. People talk about chipping edges, my Trenton didn't have a square corner anywhere, yet it's a "quality tool". Vulcan made inexpensive anvils, but as has been stated..it's FAR from an ASO. I'd take one any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catcher Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 I bought a Vulcan #100 about 4years ago with no chipped edges and paid $200 for it. I have used it for my everyday anvil and have had no problems with it so far . My time may be coming when it brakes or who knows what, but until then I will keep beating on it. keep smithing Anthony O’Shields from Oklahoma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Welcome from the Ozark mountains Catcher. Maybe if you have a picture of yours might add it, we love pictures. I too have a Vulcan 110 pounder made in 1943, that I bought for $75 U.S. back in 1985. It has a chip back before the heel but other than that it is in good shape. It's just as good as the Hay Budden and MP Farriers anvil I have and it's my go to anvil still. I like that it is quieter than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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