maple smith Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Did I make a mistake? I bought my first ever anvil and it is a 144# Vulcan. Reading thru all of the brand reviews in the anvil section, I found no reviews about Vulcan anvils. One asked a guestion about what a number on a leg might mean, but no reviews. I paid $175 for the anvil and I see no flaws , the edges on the top have no chips, the bench has some nicks. The horn is good. The only chips it has are at the 1" hardy hole, but they are only about 1/8-3/32 down into the hole, the rest is good. The top is flat and the edges have what I think is like new rounded edges. The guy I bought it from said it was 160+ pound, but I weighed it on my shipping platform digital scale and it weighs 143.6#. Did I do OK or was I given a HUGO at a VW price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Vulcans are decent anvils, but by no means top shelf. However (and assuming that you have decent rebound), at that price, you did very well indeed. Live long, and prosper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 You did very well as long as the hardened face hasn't been ground on or de-laminated. The Vulcan's have been scoffed at by many but those of us who use them really like em because they are quiet. How about some pictures of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maple smith Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 I don't even have a stand made yet, but I'll try to get a picture of it. Right now it is setting on the wooden floor in my over crowded shop. I plan to build a blacksmith shop off the back of my shop next year. Thinking 14x14, maybe up to 14x22. The new shop will have a base of crusher run limestone base and will be topped with 3-4" stone dust. That packs well with some moisture and a plate packer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 If you have the room & funds, a 14X22 will make you much happier. Smithy's have a tendency to fill up rapidly. Our forge is 10X30 attached to a 24X30 garage and it has been crowded for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maple smith Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 I know it would be better, but being retired, on SS and a small pension I need to be practical. I'm 73 and don't plan to do this full time, just a hobby. Besides, I'm thinking 14x14 may help be good reason not to buy (or make) too many uses for more space. On this property I already have a 16x24 sugarhouse, a 14x28 work shop, 2- 10x10 storage barns, a 10x12 and a 12x12 storage sheds. If I was 15-20 years younger I'd likely build a 24x36 blacksmith shop but at my age reality sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Sorta me too, at 77 I'm contemplating adding a 12X12 addition at one end of the smithy. I started this hobby when I was 41. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I had a Vulcan that was a lot smaller and broken on the tail and tip of the horn. It wasn't the best by any means, but it enabled me to smith and make many things. I think for that price, you did well. And I bet it will serve you just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 It sounds like you did pretty good. If it's in as good as shape as you say. If the rebound is at least 70 percent I would be dancing around it in a fit of joy. You don't see anvils for less than two and a half dollars a pound and usually much more if they're in good shape around my neck of the woods. My advice about the building is go as big as you can afford. You will be able to fill it up no matter how big it is. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo the welder Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 That’s sounds like a good deal indeed. Some guy here in LA is selling an 85lb Vulcan for $375 and he’s not willing to talk on the price. I tried to go see it he lives like 45 mi inland, and I tried to meet him a Saturday morning, and his answer was...”I don’t do mornings”, lol. I guess deep inside he does not want to sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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