UkonVasara Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Hello, I'm new here and just starting to get into blacksmithing. I live in Woodstock GA. I have been doing some minor smithing with a friend that lives near by me and started my passion for this. I am ready to start with my own setup. I am looking for a decent 125-180lbs anvil but don't know a good place to find a used one that is of quality. I have been searching craigslist around the Atlanta area and saw a gentleman that is in Cartersville that seems to normally have equipment at a fair price but his stock appears to be low now. Some of the other anvils I see on there seem to be more for "art". Bad faces and some severe misuse. Also been trying to decide if I want to go with propane or a coal forge. I have only used coal up to this point. hoping to keep the price around 1200USD if that seems reasonable or know anyone that might have something available. I'm sure that I'll be needing plenty more in the future or have to make it. Tongs, vices etc. Thanks for your help in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 did you see this add? it is a bit far but might be worth the trip. https://knoxville.craigslist.org/grd/6009274697.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 Attend some Alex Bealer meetings. Web=site is www.alexbealer.org. They meet the third Saturday of each month. I will be demonstrating in April. You will meet a lot of blacksmiths and will probably be able to find equipment through them. I will have 3 post vises with me in April. Also plan to go to the SBA conference in Madison, Ga. (http://www.sbaconference.com/) the 3rd weekend in May. Plan to get there Wednesday even though the conference does not start until Friday. There will be lots of tail gate sales then. You can camp on the grounds. Let me know if I can help you. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 Thank you both of you I'll have to check out both. I've been to Sweetwater TN twice before but been a while. A bit of a drive but it might be worth it. I'll definitely have to attend one of the Alex Bealer meetings. I'll be out of state this month so I'll have to hit it up in April. So far a very helpful forum and group. This newbie truly appreciates it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Picked up a decent 190lbs Mouse Hole Anvil with a fairly flat face for just over $300 from an antique shop in Rome GA. Decent rebound and not bad for a starter Anvil. I'm sure a few years down the road I might want a nicer one, but for a backyard blacksmith I think this'll do nicely for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Good deal! Happy smithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 4 hours ago, UkonVasara said: Picked up a decent 190lbs Mouse Hole Anvil with a fairly flat face for just over $300 from an antique shop in Rome GA. Decent rebound and not bad for a starter Anvil. I'm sure a few years down the road I might want a nicer one, but for a backyard blacksmith I think this'll do nicely for now. I can almost assure you that the Mouse Hole will outlast you and I combined. Pictures... we love pictures,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Mmm, mmm, mmm. I likes me a Mousie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 I'll snap a few pics this weekend and post it up. Still need to get some naval jelly to get the rust off her. But, still works for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 1 hour ago, UkonVasara said: I'll snap a few pics this weekend and post it up. Still need to get some naval jelly to get the rust off her. But, still works for now. See if you can locate or buy a copy of the book Mousehole Forge by Richard Postman. It's fantastic reading about the history of the Mousehole Forge and the process of making the anvils. I'm no history buff, but my son got me a copy of Postman's Anvils in America and the Mousehole Forge book for Christmas one year and I was mesmerized by the Mousehole book. I think I have read it three times now, and I don't even own a Mousehole anvil (I have a Hay Budden). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Rock n roll, I'll definitely have to check it out. I'm happy with my Victorian era anvil. Sure, it has some mushrooming on the edges and other battle scars. But, it's a little piece of history and I'd love to learn more about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Nothing wrong with owning *both*!---Just as long as you don't go to the darkside and get a Soderfors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 HA! I don't think my Finnish wife would let me get a Swede anvil. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Tell her you will get a Russian one instead. (Nice knowing you....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 On April 27, 2017 at 11:51 AM, ThomasPowers said: Tell her you will get a Russian one instead. (Nice knowing you....) Oh xxxx, that'd be the end of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkonVasara Posted April 28, 2017 Author Share Posted April 28, 2017 Here are some pics of ye ole mouse hole. I'll get her cleaned up and repost later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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