New Anvil....? Should I buy it? Do I really need it

[fred d]

I have found a place that has 2-100# anvils

They started out at $400 each.
I have been watching them for a few months. They are down to $132 each.

Don't know I NEED an anvil. But I don't have one, so that must mean I should have one.

Thinking of trying to buy them both for $100 each to get them out of his inventory

Thoughts

 

[bczygan]

I have found a place that has 2-100# anvils

They started out at $400 each.
I have been watching them for a few months. They are down to $132 each.

Don't know I NEED an anvil. But I don't have one, so that must mean I should have one.

Thinking of trying to buy them both for $100 each to get them out of his inventory

Thoughts

Houston, we have a problem......



You know the answer!

 

[Zeke]

Of course if you can flip one to cover the cost and get a free anvil, you can't beat free. Just remember how tough it has been for the seller to move these. You'll have to find another market if you follow this plan.

But first, what do you know about them?

 

[sberry]

You asked yourself if you needed it. You should be asking yourself it you want them. I have a full time shop and only occasionally use an anvil and even then only a plate or chunk of rail iron and most things are done in a vise or on a table top.
It was a must have and near every piece in a hand forging operation utilized the anvil. Now with modern welding and easy localized heat with a torch for bending and cutting plus the advent of plasma a guy usually doesn't have to pound a lot of steel.
Not only that engineering has changed, so much is lighter.

 

[BD1]

There are lots of anvil out there. Even harbor freight sold some. Any name or ID marks on them ? Maybe post a pic for a more intelligent response.
My first thought would be low ball the guy and see what happens.

 

[Fordman7795]

Are they new chinese ones or something? Something doesnt seem right.

 

[nine4gmc]

At that price, buy now and ask questions later.

 

[fred d]

Brand new in the box
Can't find COO
Guessing China, but not sure

 

[Lassen Forge]

I need to see a picture, and get a description... It's either the screamingist deal of a lifetime, or a pig in a poke.



If they're decent quality anvils with good bounce and not a Chinese cast iron ASO (Anvil Shaped Object) then I'd say go for it, but at the price they're down to, (a buck a pound?) my guess is they're either well abused or ASO's.

Also there is the thing of "Need" VS "Want". Me? I could find so many uses for a good anvil that I'm saving up for one (been looking a Peddinghauses for a while, expensive as hell but awesome "machines" and brand-stinking-new), but if it;s just that you *want* one, then it's likely a waste of time. How much hot steel do you pound, and does it come with any Hardies or will you have to get those sepaarately?

 

[Fordman7795]

http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200519522_200519522?hotline=false

This it?

 

[Shiftless]

http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200519522_200519522?hotline=false

This it?

The Northern tool referenced above is a Klutch, made in China out of cast iron, not steel. That qualifies it as an ASO. You'd be better off with a short piece of steel rail from the train yard.

But the cast iron anvil would still work fine for dropping off a cliff onto the roadrunner....

 

[fred d]

http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200519522_200519522?hotline=false

This it?

Actually yes.
To be honest didn't want to say where so it didn't get bought out from under me till I decided to buy or not.

Really don't NEED it as I said
Truth be told, it Would probably be in the way more than it was used

 

[zkling]

For $100 you can build a nice post anvil that is far superiour to many traditional anvils....unless you require a horn.

 

[Hammer1963]

Need is never the issue for me. It's the wanting. I just purchased another vise and I have 7 .......

 

[sberry]

I understand collectors. Its a totally different thing than a real practical matter a lot of the time. I find enough stuff I really need without even touching the want list and try not to get one at the expense of another. As a must have an anvil would be way down my list of must have tools.
Turns out this is a question about import stuff can be had at any time, its no deal that couldntt be had any other day if I read this right.

 

[sberry]

Thinking of trying to buy them both for $100 each to get them out of his inventory

Just out of curiosity as to how the human mind works is ,,, Why would you care? The key as the seller is to get you to care about me. Seems many of the sales decisions don't really have much to do with tools.

 

[fred d]

Well I stopped today and the anvils were still there.
The were marked down to $196 each, but were $132 in the computer last time I checked

Today they were still marked $196, but came up $44 each

I bought both

Glad I didn't offer $100 each before

 

[nine4gmc]

That's a good score for something to bang on! Now try selling one for $100 and have one free!

 

[FadedGray]

Nice snag.

 

[rsanter]

but are they real anvils, or are they ASOs...
anvil shaped objects

bob

 

[CAOS]

but are they real anvils, or are they ASOs...
anvil shaped objects

bob

I am going to go with ASO's!

 

[Seppala]

Well I stopped today and the anvils were still there.
The were marked down to $196 each, but were $132 in the computer last time I checked

Today they were still marked $196, but came up $44 each

I bought both

Glad I didn't offer $100 each before

If that purchase is for two ASO's from Northern Tool, you've just spent $ 95.26 for dreck. Return them.

 

[nine4gmc]

Not so Seppala, everyone needs an ASO to bang cold metal on. Save the good anvils for actual blacksmithing type work.


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[Shiftless]

I agree 100% with nine about this.
An anvil shaped object is handy to pound on...just don't pound REALLY hard and you should be OK.
And if you drop one on your foot, it hurts just as bad as a forged anvil !
As most already know, a short piece of railroad rail makes a great substitute for an anvil.

 

[fred d]

I agree 100% with nine about this.
An anvil shaped object is handy to pound on...just don't pound REALLY hard and you should be OK.
And if you drop one on your foot, it hurts just as bad as a forged anvil !
As most already know, a short piece of railroad rail makes a great substitute for an anvil.

I actually thought about getting a section of rail and shaping it.
But for $44 (or less if I sell the second one for profit) is right up my alley

But I am not a blacksmith. I work in my garage shaping metal to fix rusted out old cars. The thought of spending hundreds of dollars on a "real" anvil just because others think this one is substandard is not going to happen.

Seppala
This is perfect for what I, and many like me will be doing in our hobby environment

If it does meet up to your standards, I'm glad you didn't buy it.

Guess that's just your "New York state of mind"

 

[fred d]

Apparently.......didn't need one after all
Sold them both for $125 each
Made $155 profit

Now on to the next deal

 

[nine4gmc]

Even better!


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