Show me your ANVIL

[NickWheeler]

Hey guys

I do realize this thread is old, but it was just refreshed on the board...

FWIW- Rail makes a poor anvil. With an anvil, you want mass under your work. Rail is basically just a really stout, crowned I-beam. I worked on a track crew and replaced miles of track... so it's not like I haven't been around it

When guys cut it down to make it look like an anvil, they're just reducing its mass and making it less useful than it already was. The best anvil you could get out of rail, would be to take a 3' long section and stand it on end, preheat the top end, and weld a heavy billet of steel to the top of it. That will make it more like a post anvil.

I have quite a few... but this one is by far my favorite. A 450 pound Nimba Gladiator.

Notice the super thick waist.... no thin flange under the work surface here

 

[Richard D]

Wow, $2,000 for a new one. Is that an average price for anvils that size, is is it more expensive than most?

 

[NickWheeler]

There aren't too many places that make them that big anymore... but that's about what one is going to cost.

The problem with buying an anvil nowadays, is that people decided they make neat "decorations," so anvils that (just 10 years ago) used to sell for about $1/pound, now typically sell for $4-$5/pound!!!

If a guy is just tweaking sheet metal, a piece of rail would actually work pretty well. Especially if you could get something large like 136# or 140# which was clarified in this thread... but that's weight per 3 feet of length... not per foot.

I wasn't meaning to come off like an anvil snob either... I kind'a forgot that most guys on this forum are probably just wanting something they can use for whacking on some part with a hammer. For me... the anvil is one of the first tools used on every project that pays my mortgage... so it's pretty important in my shop

 

[JGRAFF]

Here are my two beauties.

Left is a 150 lb Peter Wright (rough shape) and on the right is my 257lb Fisher.

These pictures are from when i just bought the Fisher. But it's all cleaned up and mounted now.

Ill try and get some more resent pics later. Enjoy!!

 

[Richard D]

I just need something to drop on roadrunners...

 

[TireTracks]

There aren't too many places that make them that big anymore... but that's about what one is going to cost.

The problem with buying an anvil nowadays, is that people decided they make neat "decorations," so anvils that (just 10 years ago) used to sell for about $1/pound, now typically sell for $4-$5/pound!!!

If a guy is just tweaking sheet metal, a piece of rail would actually work pretty well. Especially if you could get something large like 136# or 140# which was clarified in this thread... but that's weight per 3 feet of length... not per foot.

I wasn't meaning to come off like an anvil snob either... I kind'a forgot that most guys on this forum are probably just wanting something they can use for whacking on some part with a hammer. For me... the anvil is one of the first tools used on every project that pays my mortgage... so it's pretty important in my shop

And then theres the problem of even Finding the dang thing used in the firstplace. Craigslist is useless around here for that, nothing but old crappy lawnmowers in the tool section.

I'm trying to find one to have around for hobby forgeing, and I havent even seen one for sale at anyprice.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Hey guys

I do realize this thread is old, but it was just refreshed on the board...

FWIW- Rail makes a poor anvil. With an anvil, you want mass under your work. Rail is basically just a really stout, crowned I-beam. I worked on a track crew and replaced miles of track... so it's not like I haven't been around it

When guys cut it down to make it look like an anvil, they're just reducing its mass and making it less useful than it already was. The best anvil you could get out of rail, would be to take a 3' long section and stand it on end, preheat the top end, and weld a heavy billet of steel to the top of it. That will make it more like a post anvil.

I have quite a few... but this one is by far my favorite. A 450 pound Nimba Gladiator.

Notice the super thick waist.... no thin flange under the work surface here

Nimba's are very nice, want it.

 

[bgott]

That Nimba is a freakin' monster, isn't it? I like the tennis ball. It won't work around here, I have a couple of tennis ball freaks running around.

 

[littletoes]

Yes, it is a 1966 Dodge W500 Power Wagon that I purchased from the Michigan DNR. They used it for fighting forest fires and it was set up to pull a large V-plow to create fire breaks through the woods, also carried a 400 gallon water tank and pump. It has a GVWR of 20,000 lbs. and according to factory records there was 350 of these made with the 318 V8 in '66.

How 'bout a few more pics of the truck???

 

[fomocoforrester]

I havn't got a proper anvil yet - but when I do get one, I want to challenge this guys championship status....

 

[twangnut]

I just need something to drop on roadrunners...

HAAA! that was great!

 

[TruckJunkie]

How 'bout a few more pics of the truck???

I do not want to hi-jack this thread, may start another thread for people to show off their truck projects, if there is not one already, will have to look when I have time.

 

[JGRAFF]

And then theres the problem of even Finding the dang thing used in the firstplace. Craigslist is useless around here for that, nothing but old crappy lawnmowers in the tool section.

I'm trying to find one to have around for hobby forgeing, and I havent even seen one for sale at anyprice.

when you are on Criagslist keep your eye on the "antique" section also. A lot of people believe anvils to be antiques not tools.
and also try "searchtempest.com"

 

[Jianis]

Here are my Anvils
I rarely use my bigger one ( a 100 lb Vulcan 10 ) respecting my neighborers
I am using my small ones more often.There are some more small ones but I cant reach them right now for a picture.

Jianis

 

[Zeppe807]

I thought I had some good pictures of mine, bit could not find them. I have been unable to use them for a while and they have been sitting in my dads garage.

Here is my very very heavy swage block:

<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/?action=view&current=2011-10-30_19-56-25_947.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/2011-10-30_19-56-25_947.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

and my 126 Peter Wright made around 1850:
<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/?action=view&current=2011-10-30_19-56-42_177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/2011-10-30_19-56-42_177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/?action=view&current=2011-10-30_19-54-38_536.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/2011-10-30_19-54-38_536.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
and to throw it in too, my 6in Babco:
<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/?action=view&current=2011-10-30_18-02-35_574.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/2011-10-30_18-02-35_574.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Hope You like Them,
Joe Zeppe807

 

[Zeppe807]

So I was going off of my memory and I was wrong about the age. sorry.

here is a quote that I found about the age: "If it does not say Solid Wrought on it either in a straight line or in a circle you got a really old one (pre 1850). If it said solid wrought in a straight line it would be 1850-1860 after that it was in a circle. After 1915 they started marking "England" under the word Patent"

and here is a quote I found about the weight: "The 1-1-1 on the anvil is the weight of the anvil in an old system of units. The first "1" = the weight in "hundredweights". 1 hundredweight = 120 lbs (if I remember right). The next "1" is the weight in tenths of a hundredweight, or 11 lbs, and the last "1" = the todd pounds, or 1 lb."

***Note: this is what I found on the web, so I guarantee nothing.

Here is another picture of the side of my anvil:
<a href="http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/?action=view&current=2011-10-30_19-55-28_41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/Zeppe807/Garage/2011-10-30_19-55-28_41.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

So it would make mine: made after 1915, and 123lbs.

Joe

 

[Jianis]

Joe

I sure like your collection i hope you will be able to use them soon too.
Enjoy your hobby

Jianis

 

[bgott]

and here is a quote I found about the weight: "The 1-1-1 on the anvil is the weight of the anvil in an old system of units. The first "1" = the weight in "hundredweights". 1 hundredweight = 120 lbs (if I remember right). The next "1" is the weight in tenths of a hundredweight, or 11 lbs, and the last "1" = the todd pounds, or 1 lb."

They got it wrong. The first number is multiples of 112, which is a hundredweight, the second can only be 0,1,2 or 3, which is multiples of 28, which is a quarter hundredweight and the last number can only be between 0 and 27, that is the pounds.

 

[Zeppe807]

They got it wrong. The first number is multiples of 112, which is a hundredweight, the second can only be 0,1,2 or 3, which is multiples of 28, which is a quarter hundredweight and the last number can only be between 0 and 27, that is the pounds.

So mine is only 115 pounds.

I still love it.

Anyone know anything about the swayed block?

Joe

 

[Zengineer]

1-1-1 would mean 141lbs by my math, using the above explanation. 112 + 28 + 1

 

[johno]

There aren't too many places that make them that big anymore... but that's about what one is going to cost.

The problem with buying an anvil nowadays, is that people decided they make neat "decorations," so anvils that (just 10 years ago) used to sell for about $1/pound, now typically sell for $4-$5/pound!!!

If a guy is just tweaking sheet metal, a piece of rail would actually work pretty well. Especially if you could get something large like 136# or 140# which was clarified in this thread... but that's weight per 3 feet of length... not per foot.

I wasn't meaning to come off like an anvil snob either... I kind'a forgot that most guys on this forum are probably just wanting something they can use for whacking on some part with a hammer. For me... the anvil is one of the first tools used on every project that pays my mortgage... so it's pretty important in my shop

Nice anvil, HUGE, whats the base made from, I have to make a base for my own so am curious.

 

[StumpXJ]

I got a piece of train track about a year and a half ago for a home made anvil...finally got around to cutting/shaping it today. I ought to be able to beat on this for a few years to come.

Was a b*tch to cut...mostly did it with the portaband, followed up with a cutoff wheel and the plasma.

I think im going to set it up in the mill and fly cut one of the ends on top so its nice and flat.

 

[Zeke]

That is a work of art.

 

[ZRX61]

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

I think im going to set it up in the mill and fly cut one of the ends on top so its nice and flat.

Very nice job! I'd suggest just fly cutting a potion of the rail, (maybe a good portion) but I'd leave the "horn" with the gusset...)

You might cut one side edge square while you have it clamped up, and drill in a pritchel hole at least... (A hardy hole too if you are willing to use a square file to dress it up...)

 

[5lima30]

I picked this farm fresh 90 lb anvil recently for $50. When I got home I cleaned it and discovered that it was a Mousehole made in Sheffield England. Further research dated it between 1820-1835.

 

[805gregg]

Here is my Cliff Carroll on a Cliff Carroll stand with a built in foot operated clamp, in the back with the small c-clamp in it. I used it to hand bend the gate after heating the metal in my N Carolina forge.

 

[metalmagpie]

Some years ago Centaur Forge had a Christmas sale where shipping was free if you bought 500 pounds of stuff. So some guys got together and we made a group purchase and I wound up with a new Vaughan-Brooks 140 pound anvil. I made a stand for it from an old walnut stump, bound the ends with iron strap, and made a couple of hold-downs. Since I did this the blue paint has gone, the anvil is now looking much more used, and I have added a piece of lead sheet under the anvil to deaden the ring. The walnut stump shrank somewhat after ten years, so I had to reweld the iron straps to be tight again. - metalmagpie

 

[Hades12]

Seen this thread a few days ago and thought I would ask at the scrap yard about a peice of track, was at a neighbor house tonight and found this. Took $40 to get it from him but should give me a bit to work with.

 

[Zeke]

I picked this farm fresh 90 lb anvil recently for $50. When I got home I cleaned it and discovered that it was a Mousehole made in Sheffield England. Further research dated it between 1820-1835.

That's a "you ****" for sure.

 

[Exceller8]

Here is my no name 250+ pound anvil:

I got the idea for the stand from another forum. The trash can is filled with sand and there is a round plywood disc in there that you can use to adjust the height.

I have a few other anvils that I'll take pictures of later today.

 

[Exceller8]

Some more of my collection:

 

[MoparTrucks]

Man I just saw this thread and have anvil envy. I do have a piece of rail though and this has given me some ideas.

 

[Exceller8]

Man I just saw this thread and have anvil envy. I do have a piece of rail though and this has given me some ideas.

I just find them to be so handy around the shop. They sure save your workbenches too...

 

[MoparTrucks]

I just find them to be so handy around the shop. They sure save your workbenches too...

You have some nice ones too.

 

[Exceller8]

You have some nice ones too.

Thanks! I just saw a Nimba Titan 120 LB anvil that I want. $900!!

 

[MoparTrucks]

Thanks! I just saw a Nimba Titan 120 LB anvil that I want. $900!!

I was at a yard sale last week and bought an old vise and when I was there he had an old blacksmith anvil that must have weighed over 200lbs but he had sold it right before I got there for $75.00. It was the first old anvil I have seen for sale since we moved here 3 years ago and we hit a lot of farm auctions and yard sales.

 

[Exceller8]

I was at a yard sale last week and bought an old vise and when I was there he had an old blacksmith anvil that must have weighed over 200lbs but he had sold it right before I got there for $75.00. It was the first old anvil I have seen for sale since we moved here 3 years ago and we hit a lot of farm auctions and yard sales.

I hate missing out on deals like that. It's always the case when I'm looking for something cool. "Hey buddy, you just missed it!".

 

[coolreed]

I have two anvils a Nimba Titan and a Kolswa. Both are right at 100 lbs.

 

[Exceller8]

Coolreed, How do you like the Nimba?


Note: shows 120 LBS on their website??