Flwatersaver Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 I am trying ID this anvil before I drive 2 hours to get it. The lady said it is about 80lbs, no markings, no depression underneath, and no hole under the horn. Please help (I hope my pictures show up) Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 it always helps when we post in the correct places, I moved it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flwatersaver Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 I assume I must hve posted this in the wrong location. Please advise on where to post, as I am new here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranchmanben Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Those are terrible pictures but it looks clean from what you can see. I guess it all depends on how bad you want an anvil and if it’s in your price range. I’d drive two hours for that one without hesitation. I’d rather drive and check it out myself than miss out on a good anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flwatersaver Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 She wants $395 for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 It is cast, but cast what? Iron or steel face? Be prepared to get back in your car for a long drive with your cash still in your pocket if it fails the ball bearing or hammer test. (You do know what those are and how to do them, and how to interpret the results, right?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranchmanben Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 With that lip around the face it very well could be a cast iron boat anchor made to look like an anvil with a steel face but it might be something as good as a Vanadium steel anvil. It looks rusty or painted, just because you can’t see the markings doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 At $395 or $5.00 a pound, I would have to pass on it, unless she is open to some haggling say $160-180 for it. There should be plenty of anvils around St. Augustine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 A) too small in my opinion B ) Unknown origin, quality etc. C) Most likely too dear considering point A and B. Offer $100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven511 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I don't know how rare anvils are around you, but going by the average, I'd say you should pay no more than 300 for it max. the lip on the top makes me believe it has a steel plate, which is a good sign. The shape of that horn reminds me of a some unmarked anvils I've seen before, and they all had pretty good reviews. I'd say to drive to it with a ball bearing and see what the rebound is. If it's above 60%, try to haggle to around $275. If it's above 40%, try to haggle to around $225. If it is below 40%, then don't buy, It's probably cast iron crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Steven511 said: the lip on the top makes me believe it has a steel plate, which is a good sign. It could just as easily be cast iron all the way through, with that lip simply mimicking a steel plate. Without examining it in person, there’s simply no way to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven511 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 7 minutes ago, JHCC said: It could just as easily be cast iron all the way through, with that lip simply mimicking a steel plate. Without examining it in person, there’s simply no way to know. True, but as far as I've seen it isn't super common for anvils to have mimic top plates. I didn't mean to say the lip definitively showed that it had a steel plate, just that it made it more likely. I agree though, it is only possible to know if you see it in person and test the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 In my 40+ years of examining thousands of anvils, the presence of a lip on an unmarked casting almost always guarantees that it is an ASO. Caveat emptor. If you think education is expensive, try auditing ignorance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Like John the presence of a fat "Fake plate" usually correlates to cast iron ASO. I don't recall a forged anvil ever having a protruding plate on it. I only have 37 years in smithing though. (There are exceptions like the West cast steel anvils; but the betting is on cast iron---simple test that can be done over the phone---tap it with a hammer if you get a loud TING, cast steel. Soft Thwap cast iron.) Any chance that marking on the side with the horn to the right is the remains of an eagle and so a Fisher? If so I'd go US$2 a pound. Otherwise pick up a chunk of STEEL, (my scrapyard US 20 cents a pound), and get to forging on an improvised anvil much like has been used for 3000 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flwatersaver Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 Thank you for the replies. I will not make the trip to even look at it. The hunt continues. At this point, I am thinking about buying a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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