Show me your ANVIL

[Thrumcap]

Thrumcap: the stampings for weight actually are 1 (112 pounds), 2 (28 x 2 pounds) and the last # 8 is just pounds. so is your Peter Wright anvil 176 pounds or close to that?

have no idea what the 7726 means unless it was PW's way of keeping track of how many anvils they made and sold.

the stampings are different than the PW's I've owned and I've have yet to see a "Made in" in front of the England stamp on any of mine. how is the rebound??

i sold a 150 pound PW and a 6 inch Record with the quick release mechanism last year and would gladly give my client back all his Benjamins for them because they are a nice duo.

Rebound's good, a 1" steelie is 80% + in the middle and end, less near the horn.
It is indeed 176 lbs.
The made in england stamp looks modern, that and what I think is a lot number on the bottom leads me to believe it is from the 30's - 40's.

Here is that anvil getting a workout at it's previous tenancy

There's another anvil on the local classifieds, 110 lbs. but no markings noted when I called. Hmmm......go for a drive or not tomorrow.....

Thrumcap

 

[75dixie]

Finally got a pic of my extra anvils.
120 pound Fisher
300 pound hay budden
500 pound hay budden

Im glad I built my shed floor on the heavy side

 

[nine4gmc]

I have a 260# Hay Budden, I'm all at that 500# monster!!

 

[joe.striper]

I need anvil advice. Customer wants to trade a 177# Wright anvil for my Parker 976 b vise which is in gorgeous original condition. I went to his house 4 hours away to buy a vise and he offers the anvil. I think it is in good original condition.

My question is regarding how it is setup. If you look at the pictures you can see he mounted it on a stump and put a piece of 1/2" plywood in between. Is it possible that this plywood could act as a damper? I ran a ball peen hammer over the top and the sound was solid but the vise didn't 'sing'.

last pic was taken from his mountain top home's driveway.

Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

 

[oakundeisen]

My anvil - unmarked 24 1/2 overall length x 11 high, face is 4 1/4. Bought it 30 yrs. ago for $40 bucks. I think it weighs around 180 lbs. Some chipping on the one side but in overall good shape - has served me well over the years. When you need an anvil nothing else will do. Some day I'll pick up 'Anvils in America' and figure out who made it.

 

[catalytic]

I need anvil advice. Customer wants to trade a 177# Wright anvil for my Parker 976 b vise which is in gorgeous original condition. I went to his house 4 hours away to buy a vise and he offers the anvil. I think it is in good original condition.

My question is regarding how it is setup. If you look at the pictures you can see he mounted it on a stump and put a piece of 1/2" plywood in between. Is it possible that this plywood could act as a damper? I ran a ball peen hammer over the top and the sound was solid but the vise didn't 'sing'.

last pic was taken from his mountain top home's driveway.

Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

Google 'ball bearing anvil test." Bring a big ball bearing (McMaster has them) next time you go to look.

 

[drivesitfar]

Oak: nice looking anvil and stand. I really like your small anvil looking hardy a lot. in case you didn't know this hammering on an anvil with cold steel is the reason the edges chip off. i'm guessing you use yours for hot, but just in case you do use it for cold every now and then it would be best if you mounted a piece of RR tie to a stump and beat on that instead.

thanks for posting pictures of your anvil and set up.

 

[LX-Markham]

Picked up this little 20lb anvil.
Has "TF" stamped on the bottom.
If anybody has info about it, would appreciate it.

 

[stu999]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the forum, starting to get 'in to' Anvils so thought I would show you one I picked up at a farm sale last month.







It's has had a hard life, but it will only be used as a garden feature for me so I'm not too worried about it's condition.

I'm trying to work out it's weight and age.
Details I can see on it are:
Peter Wright, Paten, Solid, W2T, 24, Wrought.

 

[LX-Markham]

OMG! you are going to put a Peter Wright out to pasture!?

sorry, but that's criminal

 

[stu999]

You mean it's too good to be sat outside?!

As I said, I don't know much about them, what can you tell me?

Made me smile that the first person to reply to my post is from Markham. I have family there, last time I visited Canada I stayed there.....

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: I agree it looks pretty decent and i wish you were closer and i'd give you a few Benjamins for it ($100 bills). the 2's on the side of the anvil are part of the weight so i'll need to see what all 3 #'s are to tell you what the vise weighed when it left the factory. any chance you can post another picture with all 3 #'s.

if the 2 is the first # then you have close to a 300 pound anvil. if your anvil hasn't been in a fire which it doesn't appear to have it's still a user so make a trade for other yard art and let a blacksmith smile all day when he gets to use your anvil.

 

[stu999]

Stu: I agree it looks pretty decent and i wish you were closer and i'd give you a few Benjamins for it ($100 bills). the 2's on the side of the anvil are part of the weight so i'll need to see what all 3 #'s are to tell you what the vise weighed when it left the factory. any chance you can post another picture with all 3 #'s.

if the 2 is the first # then you have close to a 300 pound anvil. if your anvil hasn't been in a fire which it doesn't appear to have it's still a user so make a trade for other yard art and let a blacksmith smile all day when he gets to use your anvil.

Hi, Thanks for your reply. Numbers are 2 2 4.

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: Peter Wright anvils used the old English weight scale so here's what you have. the first # is how many 112 pound units, second # is how many 28 and last # is just pounds. i'm sure 112 pounds is the weight of some object and can't remember what they called it. maybe a stone or a Scottish bride's weight?

now for the math you have 224 plus 56 plus 4 so 284 pound Peter Wright anvil that some blacksmith would love to own. by the way an anvil shouldn't be hit on with cold steel and use a chunk of RR track for that. do you have a one inch steel ball you can drop on the anvil's top from about a foot above it? if it comes up almost a foot you have an almost perfect anvil and if halfway it's still usable.

i saw a post on Wazzza's garage thread that you own some pretty nice trailers so do you know a local blacksmith? i'd give the blacksmith the vise for future work to be done on making parts nobody else can because not all blacksmith's are wealthy. never know when you'll break something that can't be fixed or replaced. just a thought or sell it and buy something you can use.

 

[stu999]

drivesitfar

Thanks for your reply. I will try the drop test you mentioned. I don't know of any blacksmiths. I will research the market here and see if it's worth me selling, as I quite like having it around. I have a much smaller anvil too, I will post up some pictures when I get a chance.

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: sounds like you should find a stump for it and become a blacksmith or golf club maker since you live near the home of golf.

cheers and yes please post more of your anvil pictures

 

[jpickar]

You mean it's too good to be sat outside?!

As I said, I don't know much about them, what can you tell me?

Made me smile that the first person to reply to my post is from Markham. I have family there, last time I visited Canada I stayed there.....

Dang right it is too good to sit outside!!!! You ****!!(That is a good thing to be called here....it means I'm jealous and you got a great deal) It is ooone of the better vises to get. It is in very good condition. I'd use it and out bid drivesitfar by $50!!

John

 

[Outlawmws]

Dang right it is too good to sit outside!!!! You ****!!(That is a good thing to be called here....it means I'm jealous and you got a great deal) It is ooone of the better vises to get. It is in very good condition. I'd use it and out bid drivesitfar by $50!!

John

Except its an Anvil John!

One track minds!

 

[Mpower5266]

It was my great grandfathers, currently it is in my fathers possession but it will eventually be mine.

 

[jpickar]

Except its an Anvil John!

One track minds!

John

 

[stu999]

Here is a picture of another much smaller Anvil I have.
Bought it off a guy in St Andrews... that's as much as I know about it. There are no identifiable markings on it.







I would be pleased to hear any ones comments if you can identify it..

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: shipping would kill me so maybe i'll bring a couple empty suitcases to Scotland and pick up your anvils from you. that one looks very clean. have you dropped a small one inch steel ball off the top of either of your anvils from about 6 to 12 inches above them?

i can't see any markings on your last anvil so a few more close up pictures from both sides and while you are at it from the ends so we can maybe give you some clues.

by the way I've been a scratch golfer for about 45 years and a pro for the last 12 and I've never seen St. Andrews golf course in person. do you or can you email me a few and i'll PM you with my email address if you like. i'll also give you a few golf tips if you play and want some from a 60 year old that used to hit it 400 yards off a tee.

 

[stu999]

Stu: shipping would kill me so maybe i'll bring a couple empty suitcases to Scotland and pick up your anvils from you. that one looks very clean. have you dropped a small one inch steel ball off the top of either of your anvils from about 6 to 12 inches above them?

i can't see any markings on your last anvil so a few more close up pictures from both sides and while you are at it from the ends so we can maybe give you some clues.

by the way I've been a scratch golfer for about 45 years and a pro for the last 12 and I've never seen St. Andrews golf course in person. do you or can you email me a few and i'll PM you with my email address if you like. i'll also give you a few golf tips if you play and want some from a 60 year old that used to hit it 400 yards off a tee.

driesitfar: I have not got around to doing a drop test on my anvils yet. The small anvil has no markings to be seen. I have closely inspected it.

Re St Andrews, next time I am there I will get some pictures for you. My parents stay there most of the summer and I like to go walk the beach at the golf course. Would you believe I'm not into golf at all..!! I work with some keen golfers but I have not had the notion to take it up yet!

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: PM sent

also post close ups of all sides and maybe some of the anvils might see a marking or shape or hole you missed or didn't know meant anything.

beach does look nice in all the British Opens I've watched at 3am. it's the only major golf tournament i can watch in peace in a house full of kids and in my PJ's too.

 

[Jere]

Not a traditional anvil but I thought it might be useful to someone looking to mount vertical RR. I guess rr track is a better option for hammering cold steel too. The total cost was about 5 dollars ( aside from the China vise, fuel, and time) for the used old casters and dolly frame. The stump is oak, which I got from a friend making an addition to his house. The rail came from a road crossing that was no longer used, where the city pulled up the track and smoothed the road. I torched off a couple of feet off the track so the usable piece is about my elbow hieght on downwards hammer strike.

 

[joe.striper]

Aaarrrrgggghhhhh....drove 3.5 hours into VT only to get within 30 miles of my new Peter Wright anvil and had to turn around!!!! What was supposed to be rain turned to heavy snow. What a death trap. I knew i was done when the seller said if I made up to his driveway he'd bring me the anvil with his tractor because he didn't think my new F150 could make it up.

I did stop by an antiques mall and found the attached anvil/vise, pretty unique. Guy also had 5-6 anvils including a 500lb behemoth (which he had just sold for 750). Lots of small anvils under 100 lbs going for 1.50 a lb. I tried taking pics but was told to put the camera away.

 

[stu999]

Sounds like a mammoth trip Joe.....

 

[stu999]

As requested to help if possible to identify my little Anvil here are some closer pictures. I cant make out any markings at all....









I did a drop test on both this one and my Peter Wright, with ball bouncing back up nearly same height. They also ring like a bell when struck, so I'm happy.

 

[drivesitfar]

Stu: that is also a great looking anvil. definitely should "NOT" be yard art and either sold or loaned to a blacksmith for some hot metal pounding. i probably already mentioned this and will again because you don't want to hit cold metal on these old anvils and that's how the edges chip and damage them.

get a good chunk of RR track to hit cold steel on.

Joe: Bummer you drove all that way and came up empty. he wouldn't drive the distance in the blizzard that your car wasn't able to drive in? i'm guessing the anvil vise you found is a welders's home made one taking a Cole vise and welding it to an anvil or an anvil vise.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe: Bummer you drove all that way and came up empty. he wouldn't drive the distance in the blizzard that your car wasn't able to drive in? i'm guessing the anvil vise you found is a welders's home made one taking a Cole vise and welding it to an anvil or an anvil vise.

I'm telling you it was awful, no one had forecast it. I was driving a ford 150, 4x4 brand new, but no snows. It was a slushy snow and the truck was all over the place.

As to that vise, I saw it up close and it was all original and made that way. No markings of any kind. Pretty cool.

also saw a giant early drill press that mounts to the wall. It was $150 but my wife xnayed it.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice setup Jere, I may have to copy that rr design from you!

I finally got my 260# Hey Budden on her oak stump, casually looking for a deal on a forge or parts to build one.

 

[nine4gmc]

Ouch!

 

[mistervelocity]

My dad picked this up probably 30 years ago and it got left at my house when I bought it from my parents. It's always lived outside until the block it was nailed to finally rotted away. I blasted the 3-4 layers of paint off and ran the numbers finding that it was, at a minimum, 100 years older than I am. Definitely been used over the years and has a decent ring/bounce. And before any of you spend too much time commenting on the stand -- it's filled with dry concrete mix and the base sits on a rubber mat. Seems to work pretty well.

 

[Jere]

Nice setup Jere, I may have to copy that rr design from you!

I finally got my 260# Hey Budden on her oak stump, casually looking for a deal on a forge or parts to build one.

I like your dual stumps, if only I had some more space (and a great anvil) I would be doing the same thing. How did you cut your dish in the one stump? I have been thinking about hammering in a dish over time but I don't think I have that kind of patience. Oh and there are some pretty inexpensive dig forge designs that use propane floating around the net. Or there is the semi truck brake drum hairdryer forges that would be a quick and easy diy forge.

 

[59chief]

Nice equipment MesquiteForge, I've got a pretty worn Peter Wright that's somewhere around 150#, I'll try to get a pic later. My "portable" forge is a Buffalo rivet or pan type forge I got for 60.00, from about 1890's, works great but makes me glad electric blowers exist by the end of a day forging....

 

[nine4gmc]

Here, I cut the bowl with a standard circular saw using plunge cuts and rotating the saw each cut. It took about 3 minutes or so, took me longer to think about it than to actually do it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Nines: great looking anvil. have you bounced a steel ball off the top from about 10 inches to check it's rebound? if it comes back up 8 inches you have an 80% rebound which is better than average. i heard the best ones are about 95%. i haven't started pounding on hot metal on any of mine yet, but some day i will.

awesome stump for forming and did you have a specific project in mind or just for general pounding to get some things starting to bend?

 

[nine4gmc]

I did the ball drop, everywhere over the base it bounces right back up, I'd say 90% or better, back between the two holes it don't bounce to well.

The forming stump was done for fun, I've needed one before and had to use makeshift forms to get the job done. When I found that oak stump, I knew what it would used for next time I needed it.

 

[zkling]

I hope you guys appreicate the picture. I almost got a hernia getting them setup.

My working "anvil" looks nothing like a traditional anvil at all. Some day.

 

[drivesitfar]

ZK: i also have the little aluminum one. cool little red one and is that your working anvil??

Nines: sounds like your huge anvil is a real keeper and i'm sure you'll figure out a way to make some cool straps to secure it to the stump. after you made the stump with the rounded out piece cut out I've thought of a lot of ways i could use one. i'll be chopping down some trees again or shopping for stumps now. hard part is maybe finding a spot for it because i doubt that years of rain setting it outside would do it any good. i could stain it i suppose.

great idea.