Cavpilot2k Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 This is an anvil I am getting as part of a package deal that includes a table forge, leg vise, and smith's drill for a steal, so I know it's not in great shape, but I'll take it for a starter. I do not have this anvil in my possession yet, so I can't provide any more detail than what you see in the pictures. I may pick up this weekend though. It has some swayback in the face, and the right edge clearly has lost some of the face. The dark "shadow" on the face in a few of the pics is just water that fell on it when the owner removed the tarp covering it. I'm thinking it's an old, old Vulcan based on the shape of the body, but I am relatively new to this, hence my asking. Any help will be appreciated. -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 It'll be just fine as a starter anvil. To me it has a Mousehole look to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavpilot2k Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 Next question is: Does that chipped/delaminated edge need repairing to prevent it getting worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavpilot2k Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 Now that I look at pics of Mouseholes, I think you may be right. The heel end being higher and sloping toward the horn end seems a characteristic of old Mouseholes from a google image search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Were I getting that anvil I'd just work around the chipped part. Plenty of great usable space on that one to use. Just wire wheel it and use it. Grinding only reduces its useful life. Slight radius on edges is fine but use it for a while first. The horn and body shape lead me to think Mousehole. Once you get it you can wire wheel it and look for markings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Much to much of a step down to the horn to be a Vulcan. Has an english look to it, Mousehole or one of the 100+ makers that learned the craft at that factory... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel h Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I agree that anvil looks very mouseholy, imho . But I'm no great authority,it's very similar to my mousehole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavpilot2k Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 So I finally picked this thing up yesterday. The former owner said he thought it was around 170 lb. the first time I tried to pick it up I knew there was no way - it had to be over 200. I weighed it today and current weight is 231! It's a xxxxxxxx beast! ...and a bastard it move and carry, and I'm in shape and strong and it's still all I can do to move this thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 May I suggest you NOT pick it up and move it without help. No reason to trash your back at the *START* of a smithing career! Cherry picker, come-a-long, big burly friends with the anvil fastened to a stout pipe or beam, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavpilot2k Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 6 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: May I suggest you NOT pick it up and move it without help. No reason to trash your back at the *START* of a smithing career! Cherry picker, come-a-long, big burly friends with the anvil fastened to a stout pipe or beam, etc. Yeah, it's going to get some kind of transportation system. Not that i plan on moving it much. Simple deadlifting it on or off of its stump is easy enough, but I carried it from my truck to my shed yesterday (about 40 yards) hugged to my chest, and I don't have any intention of doing that again...ever. Just the weight of the horn and heel resting on my forearms bruised the muscles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 STOP CARRYING IT AROUND! Don't repair anything more than a vigorous wire brushing, a cup brush on a right angle disk grinder with serious PPE is perfect. Just stay away from the chipped edges, there's plenty still there. That fine old lady is a work horse, you can make anything on her. If you need a shiny face, sharp edges, special shape, etc. make a bottom tool with a shank to match the hardy hole welded to one side. Remember if you run out of room for your tools it's time to build a bigger shop. Good score. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 NO! The time to build a bigger shop is BEFORE you run out of room---that way you don't need to stop or slow down acquisitions! I generally start scrounging stuff for the next expansion before I have finished the latest one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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