Ryan Cox Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Just picked up this Fisher 120 lb. anvil today. Seems to be in pretty good shape for it's age. Can you guys school me on it? I'm new to smithing and am just starting to acquire equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 It's a great old anvil! what exactly do you want schooled on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Get metal hot, hot as in high orange or yellow for mild steel, put the metal on the face of the anvil and hit THE METAL with a 2 pound hammer. Repeat as needed to calm your nerves and avoid the visits to the shrink. Add your location to your profile, there may be someone closer than you think that can help you. Welcome to the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Welcome aboard Ryan, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the Iforge gang live within visiting distance. Sweet deal on the anvil, Fishers are nice anvils, high performance and quiet. Quiet is a GOOD thing, your neighbors will like you better and you're ears will love you for it. All that fine old lady needs is some hot steel beaten on her face to put a shine on her. She doesn't need anymore cleanup that MAYBE some wire brushing but that's not necessary. If you want some schooling I recommend you take a look through the sections on Iforge and start doing some reading. Start with the basic smithing and shop setup sections before you start getting into some of the more specialized areas. If you learn the basics of blacksmithing learning all the other cools stuff say blade smithing is just a matter of learning a couple new techniques and getting the feel of a new steel. It'll also give you a handle on the craft jargon, once you know the terms it makes it much easier to ask good questions and understand the answers. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 fishers are cast iron with hc steel top plates. decent anvils, and like frosty said, very quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Cox Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks for the feedback guys, and sorry for the ambiguity of the post. I'm just really new to blacksmithing and was trying to gather as much info about the anvil as possible. Do you guys find a size like this ok for learning, bladesmithing and tool making? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 It's a great size to start on. I haven't moved up in size from my 127lb. Trenton anvil yet and it has even had a couple 3lb hammers forged on it. It will serve you well. If you ever need a larger anvil after you get some experience then I'm sure you will know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 120lbs is a great size to learn on. Also perfect for taking to demonstrations once you've been hammerin' for a while. If you don't mind, how much green stuff did u fork over on her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Cox Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 2 hours ago, C-1ToolSteel said: 120lbs is a great size to learn on. Also perfect for taking to demonstrations once you've been hammerin' for a while. If you don't mind, how much green stuff did u fork over on her? Well funny story, when I was 18 I found it at an estate sale for free and gave it to my dad to hang on to and forgot about. Went through college, got married, got the career going and 3 kiddos on board and have been looking to expand beyond fabrication and building square stuff. I was talking to my dad about getting into blacksmithing (which he did as a career 40 years ago) to learn with my sons and he reminded me about the anvil sitting out behind his place. That's it! Thanks for the feedback! I'm stoked to get a fire built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 15 hours ago, Ryan Cox said: Thanks for the feedback guys, and sorry for the ambiguity of the post. I'm just really new to blacksmithing and was trying to gather as much info about the anvil as possible. Do you guys find a size like this ok for learning, bladesmithing and tool making? Go the "Anvil reviews by Brand" section on this site and go through the Fisher section. You will find lots of photos and information on Fishers. If you need any more information, PM me here or on Facebook at "Fisher & Norris Factory Museum Page." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Njanvilman, Are the numbers under the year the month and day of production or just mold reference numbers? My 1885 has a 3 and 9 under the year and I noticed the one in this thread has a 6 (or poss. a 5) and 9 under it. Old pic: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I do not think they are dates. I think they are codes for the pour # and who made the mold. The moldmaker was responsible for the anvil from the mold to when it went to the finishing room for cleaning, grinding, and heat treating. This was Fisher's form of quality control. BTW, the date is for their warranty. They guaranteed their anvils for one year. So this anvil could be returned any time in 1886 for another if it failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.