paulgatx Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 I picked up my second Mousehole today, so I guess that makes me a Mousehole collector. It's in much better shape than my first one. However, after I cleaned it up (rusted and painted), I find that the rebound is only 50-60%. It felt and sounded decent with my hammer, but I didn't have my ball bearing on me when I checked it out. Upon inspection, it looks like maybe it has a new welded plate on it, but I don't know what this would look like exactly. See the pictures below. At $2.50/lb ($500 total) including a big stand, I figure it's still usable and not a bad deal. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 It is hard to have an opinion on a tool when i don't know what you do with it. "Rebound" is overrated and maybe you can just use it as it is. Clearly it was repaired, it is one of those anvils you should stay clear of, but too late now. Don't like the stand either, it is probably very loud. Of course you can sell it and chase another one in better shape. Try using it, may be it is OK for what you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 Photos of the end of the heel and the far side would help. It is much better than some improvised anvils that are out there. For now just be sure the anvil is secured to the stand you have and will not fall off the stand. In time you may want to replace the stand, but that is down the road a piece. Use it. Spend some time together and get to know each other. Become friends. (grin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgatx Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share Posted December 1, 2018 Hi Marc1 and Glenn, thanks for the quick feedback, I do hobbyist weekend black and bladesmithing. My other Mouse Hole is smaller and has some sway in it, so the usable area is pretty small. This one is definitely an upgrade in those terms. I'll post some more pix after I get it situated on its new stand. I'm most curious if you think this is a new welded top. The stand it came with is way too tall for the anvil, by 6 in or so, unless the previous owner was 7' tall as I'm 6' and the anvil comes half way up to my elbow when mounted on it. I have another home made wood stand that I was going to use for this, so my plan was to sell this metal one. And I definitely plan to know it well, and it will know me. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 Before you sell the current stand, see if you can use it for say a grinder, or other tool. If nothing else weld piece of plate to it and use it as a table. No use selling a stand that you will need 3-4 weeks after the sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgatx Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Great point, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 For a temporary fix for the "too tall" stand, consider digging a suitable depth hole and bury the rim and all. That would make it more stable. I have some things on stands mounted on large truck rims and they can get tipsy sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgatx Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Arkie, my shop (garage) has a concrete floor. But I've already got it repurposed as a tool stand. Big bro and little bro look great next to each other. They are almost identical twins. Now I just need to get my 12 yo son smithing with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 There are two type of repairs what you showed us could indicate: the slap a plate on the face and weld all around the edges (bad) and the weld up the edges that showed a lot of wear and tear, maybe ok and maybe bad depending on how they did it. If edge chunks start breaking off then you know they didn't preheat the anvil and treat it as a high carbon steel when welding and so made the edges worse in the long run. I'd use it and see if it works for you. What do you do that a bit of sway cause problems? My anvil with the most sway to it's face tends to get the most use in my shop as I like forging blades and find the sway a bit help in straightening them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Understand the concrete floor! Great that you have father and son anvils. Hope the son enjoys smithing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgatx Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 Thomas, to be honest, my first anvil does everything I need it to. To be even more honest, I have become addicted to searching for anvils. I can't promise that this will be my last. I do promise to get better at getting good deals ($3.50/lb for my first, $2.50/lb for my second, $1.50/lb for my third?) And I have determined that 200lbs is my upper limit for how reconfiguable my garage shop needs to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 OK; I just get worried when folks start deciding that a sway is a problem as that sort of thinking can lead to major anvil abuse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootlegger Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Mine is much smaller than yours , but the edges on the top of the anvil are very much like mine. I doubt if yours has been refitted. Mine does not have the P-hole.....TB Note on the Stand ; If you reload your own ammo ( and a lot of folks do). Looks to me lika a good place to mount a press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lassen Forge Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I was chasing 2 different Mouseholes, both over #150, and both beautiful condition... the hard part is Mouseholes are literally a collectors item, so when they show up as a working anvil, they almost go stratospheric. They ended up beyond what I could spend comfortably... but xxxx, they were pretty anvils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 If you are just looking for an anvil to use don't set your sights on collector grade. Find a user. Unless you already have one and just Want one in great condition, then thats up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I don't know that Mouseholes are any more collectible than any other older brand; Shoot I've known folks to collect Vulcans. Are you using TPAAAT to go after anvils not on the market? Stay away from auctions and the internet they can be some of the most expensive places to buy anvils! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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