Show me your ANVIL

[Exceller8]

Exceller8 - That looks an awful lot like my Columbian anvil.

It sure does... They probably made it for Sears.

 

[Outlawmws]

What are the weights on those?

 

[PCO6]

Not much! I'll weigh it tonight rather than guess at it. I have piece of rail that's about the same size and it's a fair bit heavier. It's a neat little bench top anvil. I should take a picture of the side that has "Columbian" cast into it as well.

 

[Exceller8]

What are the weights on those?

Mine weighs just over 8 pounds.

8-3/4" L x 2-5/8" W x 3-3/4" H

 

[PCO6]

Mine has a small hole in the top so I'm guessing it weighs slightly less than yours.

 

[Exceller8]

Mine has a small hole in the top so I'm guessing it weighs slightly less than yours.

 

[PCO6]

What are the weights on those?

Mine weighs just over 8 pounds.

8-3/4" L x 2-5/8" W x 3-3/4" H

Mine weighs a bit over 8 lbs. too. I can't say for sure but the "hardy hole" appears to be original. It's pretty small though. Maybe it's a "hardly hole".

The measurements are close but a little different.
- Length ... surface 6-1/2" total 9-1/4"
- Width ... 2-15/16"
- Height ... 4-5/8"

The anvil reads on one side ... "Columbian Vise Co Cleveland USA" ... and on the other side ... "Cast Chrome Iron"

The rail is just a bit larger and weighs 13 lbs.

 

[hifi_hokie]

I have absolutely no practical use for an anvil, but that 450 pounder is a thing of utter beauty.

 

[Exceller8]

I have absolutely no practical use for an anvil, but that 450 pounder is a thing of utter beauty.

Are you nuts? There is always a use for an anvil. I just bought another piece of railroad track today. I think that makes 10-15 anvils now.

 

[Full Size 66]

I have absolutely no practical use for an anvil, but that 450 pounder is a thing of utter beauty.

You can't be serious??? I have run into at least 14 times over the last 2 years when I could have used an anvil. I have not been in the garage for that entire time doing any projects. So many times I need to pound metal in to shape or bend something a certain way. The railroad track will be purchased soon.

 

[Exceller8]

Just finished this one up. When I bought it somebody had cut it with a torch on both sides and I had to spend a couple hours with the grinder to fix it up. A little paint and she looks pretty good and is ready for service.

 

[Tarnished]

Thought I would show you my new find, along with update on my other anvil's
Then first one you have seen before. It is my little 45# Vulcan anvil. From the early 1900's I believe. Near new with very little wear. The second is from my Grandfather, and is a 190# Armitage Mousehole. From around 1875. It has had a lot of use and wear, but still has a lot more years left in it. The last two are of a recent flea market find. It is a 58# Hay Budden, dated to 1895. This anvil shows near mint condition. I have learned that that this size is a rather rare anvil, for Hay Budden, and a lucky find.
Still looking for that 400lber though...

 

[mattmcginn]

Here's mine.

Bought this one a few years back.


Anvil by SportsCar Restoration Matt McGinn, on Flickr

Don't know much about it. No markings on it other than this:


Anvil Close by SportsCar Restoration Matt McGinn, on Flickr

Its a bit beat up, but has a great ring when hit. The rebound is nice as well. I've used it little as an actual anvil.

Does it look familiar to anyone yearwise, manufacturer, etc?

I also have a nice railroad track anvil. That's at home, I gotta get it back to the shop soon. Its nice and small and portable.

 

[Exceller8]

Re: Here's mine.

Bought this one a few years back.


Anvil by SportsCar Restoration Matt McGinn, on Flickr

Don't know much about it. No markings on it other than this:


Anvil Close by SportsCar Restoration Matt McGinn, on Flickr

Its a bit beat up, but has a great ring when hit. The rebound is nice as well. I've used it little as an actual anvil.

Does it look familiar to anyone yearwise, manufacturer, etc?

I also have a nice railroad track anvil. That's at home, I gotta get it back to the shop soon. Its nice and small and portable.

Very nice! I can't believe how much I use my railroad anvil. Its a must have for around the shop.

 

[littletoes]

Well guys....I'm getting of the age, I don't think I will be using either of my anvil's, or the tongs, or the small forge, or the even the big one I've been working on...

I'll get some pic's up a bit later, just not sure what I should ask for, as to price....

 

[Alan Douglas]

Yet another Columbian, that I bought at my next door neighbor's yard sale:

After all, I can't go pounding on a machinist's vise.

Incidentally the bench frame was in the barn when we moved here in 1955, but it took me several years to realize that all the scattered parts went together. Well I was only 12. I don't know what it was, but it's held together with tusk tenons and tapered wedges. I added the planks on top.

 

[marinusdees]

An anvil should be mounted on a wood base to absorb the blow. There was a blacksmith in my hometown I am 75 this was in Michigan and I looked in his shop and my uncle was apprenticed to him in a WWii program There was an anvil in my uncle/grandpas forge garage mounted on a section of an oak tree trunk. It was the best I have ever seen. My own anvils are mounted on a section of bridge timber and the other on a section of glue lam beam because I don't have access to bridge timber anymore. Hope this helps.

 

[DieselDent]

Was given an anvil the other day its about 120lbs and has a few markings including "Wright" and can only make out an L and a 6 on the other side and a 6 down on the front base. Problem looks alot more like a mouse hole than a peter wright.
View media item 27154View media item 27155View media item 27157View media item 27156

 

[Lippyp]

Heres mine, slightly unusual double bick pattern, haven't found any information or manufacturers details anywhere on it, bought it at a farm auction a few years ago.

 

[Exceller8]

Phil, that is a nice anvil!

 

[LutzTD]

just got one after years of searching, paid way too much according to some posts here but I will beat out my frustrations on top of it so it will pay for itself in no time, not to mention the chipped concrete and bent metal edges of machines that thankfully wont happen any more. These are the advert photos, I havent had a chance to take my own

 

[Flamed181]

had this one for about 15 years

 

[Exceller8]

had this one for about 15 years

Very nice!

 

[farmerdude]

My father gave me his the other day. It weighs about 127 lbs. according to the old sheep scale.

 

[BB767]

For those who might not have read about the old shop I restored in the Garage Galley section,, this anvil was found among all the old blacksmithing and other "material" left behind.

It's a Hay Budden made in 1917, 204 lbs.

Mr Johnson started the business as a blacksmith and also did welding repairs. The stand was made partially out of an old tractor rear end. Because it's round at the base I can "walk it" by myself anywhere I need to move it to. Other than cleaning off the old surface rust I'm not to sure what if anything to coat it with. Any suggestions?

Thomas from the Restored 1930's Auto Shop

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567

 

[LutzTD]

For those who might not have read about the old shop I restored in the Garage Galley section,, this anvil was found among all the old blacksmithing and other "material" left behind.

It's a Hay Budden made in 1917, 204 lbs.

Mr Johnson started the business as a blacksmith and also did welding repairs. The stand was made partially out of an old tractor rear end. Because it's round at the base I can "walk it" by myself anywhere I need to move it to. Other than cleaning off the old surface rust I'm not to sure what if anything to coat it with. Any suggestions?

Thomas from the Restored 1930's Auto Shop

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567

Im just going to coat mine with light machine oil, I like the look of the bare metal

 

[marinusdees]

to be correct, an anvil should be mounted on a wooden base, to absorb the force. Mine are mounted on a piece of bridging timber and the smaller one one a piece of a sizable glulam. My grandpas was mounted on a section of an oak tree. I wish I had it. Proper anvils are forged, not cast. Sometimes the working surface is a separate piece that is welded (heat) to the body. You can discern the seam.

 

[Zengineer]

$2 a pound for a decent anvil is a steal...

 

[ZRX61]

It's a Hay Budden made in 1917, 204 lbs.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567

204 isn't the weight in lbs. Anvil numbers are Cwt (hundredweights, which is 112lb). 1st digit is Cwt's, so the 2 means 224lb, the 2nd digit is for 1/2 cwts (56lb), which would be either a 1 or 0, in your case it's 0. 3rd digit is lbs, so your anvil is 2cwt (224lb) + 4lb for a total weight of 228lb. If you ever have it dismounted from the base put it on scale to check

Columbia guy called me back. He wants $400 for the anvil I offered $50 for. I told him to enjoy it, be sure to make up some lies about it, and show it to his friends. I just want something to work with, not invest in as art.

The going rate is $3/lb, $400 was a bargain...

to be correct, an anvil should be mounted on a wooden base, to absorb the force.

Traditionally Elm is used.


In realted news, friend picked up a Fisher at the Estate sale I was at on Friday. I'll swing by his place this week & get a pic or 2.... & find out what else he snagged

 

[BB767]

204 isn't the weight in lbs. Anvil numbers are Cwt (hundredweights, which is 112lb). 1st digit is Cwt's, so the 2 means 224lb, the 2nd digit is for 1/2 cwts (56lb), which would be either a 1 or 0, in your case it's 0. 3rd digit is lbs, so your anvil is 2cwt (224lb) + 4lb for a total weight of 228lb. If you ever have it dismounted from the base put it on scale to check

Thanks Rick for the input. The following from a Hay Budden site about Hay Budden anvil markings...

"Actually the number on the front of the foot is the serial number and the book Anvils in America by by Richard Postman indicates that the serial number 15136 was manufactured in 1894. However, it looks like there is another number stamped before it. It also looks like your anvil is a later style that was manufactured after 1908 so that would put it in the serial number range of approximately 150,000 and greater.

The '4' stamped under the horn is believed to be an inspector's mark and the '07' stamped on the side are believed to be be a steel heat number.

What appears to be a '110' stamped on the side below the Hay Budden stamp would be the weight of the anvil in pounds.

In my case that number is 204 which I take to mean 204 lbs. From another source is this...

"HB's like most american made anvils are marked in Pounds no need to confuse the issue with CWT."

That's always been my understanding too. American anvils are generally marked in pounds but then I'm a pilot so consider the source!

Thanks Rick, Chris and I still have a spare bedroom waiting for you when you want to come and give the anvil that Willams paste treatment.

Thomas

 

[demographic]

The first number on an anvil (hundred weight) is 112 pounds (8 stone) the second number is the quarter hundred weight (2 stone) and the last number is in pounds. That is just what the man listed above. It might not make sense to you but then again, this was back in the days of stones, rods, fathoms and other strange (to us) measurements.

Makes perfect sense here. Most people still measure their weight in stones and pounds.

 

[demographic]

I think railroad track weighs about 90 pounds a foot.

Our UK high speed line used to weigh 110 pounds per yard, not sure if its the same now as I've not checked recently.

 

[Slurfi]

Here is one of the anvils in my garage, it is a lowbudget 50kg/110pound
China? made with no name.
I drilled holes in the base and fastened it with we call French-screws to the log.

 

[75dixie]

Here are the two I have currently,

304 pound hay budden

97 pound trenton

 

[skeletonizer]

Found this 100# FISHER half buried in the ground next to the rail road tracks behind my sons garage. It cleaned up very nice, don't have a current pic though.

 

[Journaler]

Found this 100# FISHER half buried in the ground next to the rail road tracks behind my sons garage. It cleaned up very nice, don't have a current pic though.

Wow, that's an awesome find!
The only thing around here that's buried in the dirt is more dirt!

 

[MP&C]

 

[ZRX61]

That's identical to the one my friend picked up, said 100 on the side, weighed 126lb. Does your's also have a *N* on it someplace? N is for Norris, so his a Fisher-Norris. Emblem on the is an eagle & an anchor.

My father gave me his the other day. It weighs about 127 lbs. according to the old sheep scale.

 

[farmerdude]

That's identical to the one my friend picked up, said 100 on the side, weighed 126lb. Does your's also have a *N* on it someplace? N is for Norris, so his a Fisher-Norris. Emblem on the is an eagle & an anchor.

I just went out and checked, no *N* on it. Looking at it after reading your post, I could see the eagle, and anchor. I had never noticed the anchor before so, thanks for that!

 

[ZRX61]

Something to do with the son of the founder who designed the logo, he was in the Navy. There's a bunch of stuff on the web about Fisher Norris.

http://njba.abana-chapter.com/2006/jn06/jn06.htm