Kris-D Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 This was sold to me as a antique anvil and I don't really know anything else about it other than it weighs about 11 pounds. I removed the paint from the forging surfaces and polished them with ceramic polishing pads. There are no maker marks or stamps on the anvil but I'd love to know if it's cast steel or iron. From the little bit of research that I've done it sounds like steel but I'm not certain. broken video removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 11 pounds is not a blacksmithing anvil and the video did not show up. Test it with the spark test and/or the drill test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedar Crest Forge Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 A picture or two would help. Video not usually needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris-D Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 I'm not sure why the video isn't showing up. I'm going to upload it again. If it doesn't work I'll add photos in the morning. I'm a jeweler and not a blacksmith hence the 11 pound anvil. I hope you won't hold that against me It did spark while I'm was removing the paint with a rotary wire brush and grinder. VID_20190519_204910.mp4 This might help. It's a screenshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 No; the amount and type of sparks when touched to a grinder can differentiate between cast iron and steel: do a browser search on spark test welding for instructions and examples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paragon Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 For a jewelers anvil it will be fine for what you need. Looks like a new china anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 When posting pics, just stills, if you're trying to post video from your phone the file size is probably bouncing. Iforgeiron is seen all over the world, more than 50,000 members and many are on dial up connections and have to pay for it so we try not to burn a lot of bandwidth. Still pics under about 240k are good, we can get a good look. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paragon Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 To elaborate, the foot looks like the 11lb cast iron anvils found if you search google for '11lb anvil' but the casting, or at least the paint, on yours looks smoother. There are some photos of a 24lb anvil with the smooth finish. the current photo of the 24lb on the grizzly site has a rough finish so yours could just be either from an earlier production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris-D Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Thanks everyone. I tried to post the video so you could hear the sound it makes. I'll refrain from this in the future.I'll see if I can figure out the spark test. Thanks for the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 It would help to know where in the world you are located, hence the suggestion to edit your profile to show it. READ THIS FIRST - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I have never seen cast iron take a mirror shine like that. So, unless it is chrome plated I'd say it is steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris-D Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 1 hour ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: I have never seen cast iron take a mirror shine like that. So, unless it is chrome plated I'd say it is steel. Thank you. This was my thought too. I appreciate the information. I did a little research on spark testing and never having welded I don't think my eye would be able to tell the difference. I also researched New China anvils and I haven't seen one yet with smooth paint like this one. I'm feeling more confident that it's steel and not iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Difference between a regular steel and cast iron is easy to tell with a spark test; where you run into issues is with high alloy steels or real wrought iron vs cast iron. Neither of which will you see in a cheap modern anvil. I saw some new ASOs on my trip; the Manufacturer was "Real Steel"; but the anvil is marked cast iron on the box under the Real Steel. They also claim to be makers of "professional Blacksmith tools". I find I don't trust any of what they say... Of course the "bargain" store wanted US$2 a pound... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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