Abdel Hamid Shehata Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Hi all. I'm new around here, and just starting to get into smithing as a hobby. I've got an old length of railroad metal I've been using but recently found this listing on EBay and was wondering if it's worth going for. I plan to be mostly working small things (simple jewelry, small knives) if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 They say it is a 20 Pound Solid Forged Steel Anvil for for $49.97 Is that a casting line down the middle of the horn? Have you looked at the following threads? High tech anvils A collection of improvised anvils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Something to think about. You can work small things on a large anvil but have a hard time working large things on a small anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 My first thought was that it didn't look like forged steel but more likely cast iron. Without being able to test it in person I would RUN away. Of course I can buy chunks of real steel to use as anvils for US 20 cents a pound at the scrapyard. It's pretty small too; just about a jeweler's bench anvil size and not a forging size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charcold Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 I'd avoid anything that is on ebay personally. Save your money and keep using the rail, or a large piece of scrap like TP suggests so often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Appears to be the standard cheapo cast iron chinese hunk 'o junk which one can get from many suppliers. There is clearly draft in the part for mold release as well as whizzed parting lines. These are not worth the money and not really suitable for actual forging. When cheap enough, they are fine as a place for rough banging which everyone needs sometimes. I have seen several offerings that I would swear were intentionally disguised to try and hide the fact that they were Harbor freight "sale" cast iron anvils--basically intentionally distressed and re-painted (blackened) versions being passed off as vintage proper anvils. One could make good money buying those 55 pounders when on sale and with a discount coupon to fool the uninitiated if one were a bit morally bankrupt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 That same seller also has a 110 pound version for sale. In the description it specifically says not cast iron, gives the Rockwell hardness, and states that it was hardened and tempered. Granted, anyone can write anything they want in the description, but the seller at least knows enough to BS properly if it's not what he says it is. On the other hand it does say "forged" in the item description, but sure looks cast to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin L Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Abdel, from one beginner to another, I would take ThomasPowers' advice and check your local junkyards for a nice chunk of solid steel you can get for scrap prices. If that doesn't work then do what I did. I went to a local fabricator/ machine shop in my hometown and they sold me a remanent piece of steel they had cut off. The piece I got is 4"x5"x8". I got it cheaper than what you will pay for that thing and it's probably way better quality material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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