masonred Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Trying to decide if I should get an anvil or more tools. Haven't found a used anvil I could afford so looking at a small NC, mostly good reviews. I don't work on big stuff, 1/4 round or square and 1/8 flat bar is the typical size used for leaves, hinges, hooks etc. I do use 3/4 stock for campfire racks but only make a point on 1 end and make hole in the other. My main need is shaping curves, I made turning forks and use some things like cans and branches. Cone mandrels that I've seen are to big or small and cost to much. I don't have the ability (tools and such) to make one. Using a rivet forge and square piece of steel for anvil, also have a leg vise. I do have basic tools hammers, tongs, angle grinder and a few other assorted things. Suggestions or things to consider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Have you checked out the happybuy 66 pound cast steel accacio Anvil? It's about $125 and sounds like it would fit your needs pretty well. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonred Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Can't find any in stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 That's a problem for sure. I haven't looked in a while but the last time I checked a couple of weeks ago they were available. If I can find one I'll PM you a link. Pnut It's a shame they're out of stock. I live maybe twenty minutes away from the distribution center in Hebron KY where they ship from. I did find one but it ships from Sydney Australia and it's AU195.00. i don't know if you would want to spend the extra money. I'll keep you posted if I find one. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonred Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 I did see some out of the country but assumed shipping would be to expensive. Thanks Also considered a press or making a treadle hammer, occasionally it would be nice as I do want make a few knives and bearded axes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 195 AU$ == 118 US$; but shipping would be a killer! Using the TPAAAT is really hard when anti-socially distanced; but I would hold off on paying a lot for an anvil if what you are using is working for you until you can apply TPAAAT. The supply chain for many items has a hitch in it's git-a-long due to Covid-19; I'm waiting on an Insulin Pump and shipping dates for IT stuff have ballooned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonred Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 TP I've ask many people with no luck, 20 plus years ago many 2nd hand resale shops had them, sure everyone realizes this and I have been looking for a couple of years. The few found ones belonged to grandpa etc... and folks had to keep them even though nobody used them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 My last couple I've found from asking around after church service while folks are standing around drinking coffee. Better prices too. One was in a 92 year old lady's shed out on the farm. If I hadn't asked *everyone*; that one would have been invisible. Also my recent "hoard" came from letting folks know I was hunting...A person at our church volunteers with our community theater; they were told they need to move all their props and costumes as the old school they had been using a room in was going to be remodeled. Well they were spreading the word that they needed a new storage space and one of their friends said that had an old building they could use but it was full of junk and did they know anyone interested in old blacksmithing stuff that had been piled up inside the building for 25 years? !!!!!!!! Took about a week to get a deal done; mostly due to them saying; "Oh by the way we have 3 triphammers over at the house, would you be interested in them as well?" I brought in a friend to help pay the added price for the hammers with him getting the 50# LG and me taking the 25# LG and the 25# Hawkeye Helve hammer still for sale. I hope selling off the 248# Peter Wright anvil will help pay off my "loan" from our savings. Anyway that hoard was in town and a smaller town than Lockhart TX; so don't despair; but do talk with *EVERYONE*; not just the folks you think might have one. (And definitely NOT only with the folks trying to make money off of selling such things!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benona blacksmith Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 14 hours ago, masonred said: Can't find any in stock. Look at tooltopia for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Masonred you don't need an anvil a block of steel will work just fine until you find one you can afford. I started out with the back side of a machinist vice. Then got an anvil. When i teach i have a set of blocks with legs welded on for a lesser term a striking anvil. If a student dents it or chips an edge I can just clean it up with an angle grinder. Had a old Farrier show up to watch me teach at the end of the class he pulled me aside. he was skeptical at first but after the class he said"that's the only way to go" .Farriers use a thing called a Stall Jack small and efficient for shaping shoes. You can make one very inexpensively Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonred Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 I do use a square piece of steel for anvil, as stated in the 1st message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Found one in stock on eBay $146. It ships from California. I'll PM you the link if you'd like. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonred Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 Thanks and yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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