Well a few people tried to warn me about the bench vise addiction that didn't work, now Anvils.  anyways its cheaper then drinking scotch. Found this beat to xxxx Peter Wright exact same size as the SISCO I found. I have it soaking in the electrolysis tank to remove the rust I will probably put it in the cabin for looks not work, but cool none the less. May try to clean up the face if I find time. I looked at some of the restorations on this site and You Tube, due to its condition it may be more then I can handle. I have done over 25 bench vise restorations but they didn't require any welding and the ones that did were not worth the effort. I will pull it out of the tank in a few hours and post some pics. All comments welcome even ones that call me an idiot, I am used to it been married for 26 years. 

Could be a good user for specialty texturing- it looks like that pattern would translate pretty easily into hot steel- just a thought. Otherwise, since you're not desparate for an anvil to use, I'd just let it tell its old and rusty story!! 

Nice that you can still read Peter Wright on it. And I would not say that it's totally unusable.

If this site has taught me anything, it's that an anvil doesn't have to look pristine to work. Sway back, chipped edges, broken heel or horn, pitted, they can all be used in some way. Using that for texturing is a great idea. 

Thanks for the comments the texturing idea is interesting. 

Now find a hammer with matching pitting, and you are good to go....

I'm going to go against everything I'd normally recommend and say that you may have success grinding the face flat. It looks pretty flat, if you removed minimal material I reckon you'd probably be ok. 

Andy

I have cleaned up a few rusted anvils, but none like that one. That is amazingly rusted for Arizona! The last few I used a cup brush to knock off anything I could that was loose and dusty. After that I evaluate and decide if it is worth a belt sander or not to knock off the really high stuff. It is amazing how far those pits will go. In fact I think some of them will reach to the table.  

On 10/3/2016 at 11:28 PM, GreyGhost27 said:

Well a few people tried to warn me about the bench vise addiction that didn't work, now Anvils.  anyways its cheaper then drinking scotch. Found this beat to xxxx Peter Wright exact same size as the SISCO I found. I have it soaking in the electrolysis tank to remove the rust I will probably put it in the cabin for looks not work, but cool none the less. May try to clean up the face if I find time. I looked at some of the restorations on this site and You Tube, due to its condition it may be more then I can handle. I have done over 25 bench vise restorations but they didn't require any welding and the ones that did were not worth the effort. I will pull it out of the tank in a few hours and post some pics. All comments welcome even ones that call me an idiot, I am used to it been married for 26 years. 

How did you go with the electrolysis tank? I've never done something like that before it would be interesting to try it out for fun.

Ive seen a few videos on YouTube, what are you using for the tank power supply???

Came out good had to jump on a plane to Texas so I will get pic when I get back.  I used a battery charger for the power source negative goes to the piece you want to remove the rust from, positive to your sacrificial piece of steel. I used a plastic storage bin for the tank and mix in Armor Hammer washing soda not baking soda, I get it at Ace hardware. Not really sure of the ratio probably a cup to 5 gallons all your really doing is making the water super conductive so it doesn't have to be exact. 

Here are a few Pic's after the electrolysis they get kind of dark but I can wire wheel that off.  

You took all the makeup off of her and I'm still attracted.  You may be able to grind a section of the working surface to try to get a normal forging area and keep the rest for texturing.  

I'd like to see what she looks like after a few forging sessions.......             Life is Good           Dave

black walnut cracking face!

use it, you will be suprised how quick it gets better