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Posted by Donald F. Blair [108.96.35.109] on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 21:41:32 :
In Reply to: Some blacksmith tools... posted by Brian A [96.27.105.102] on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 17:37:06 :
I'm well equipped with tools, forge, anvils, vices, etc. Just need to build a new shop to house them. I used to be the blacksmith at a State Park. Hay Budden's are among the best US made, they went out of business before WWII. I have a 175# Peter Wright and a 110# Peter Wright which is easier to haul around to shows. The problem I have with offering a per pound price is you don't say "okay, cut me off 50#'s." You're pricing an anvil as a whole tool. Ebay will give you an idea of the top-end value. Not having to pay shipping should be considered in the net cost. How much you should pay for an anvil
is really determined by how badly you need one and for what purpose? In a serious shop, one size doesn't fit all needs. A 500 lb anvil is something many smiths start out thinking they have to have, but the larger face makes fine work very difficult when you're bending over the anvil to work a bend
from the far side. If you're just wanting a piece of steel to pound cold metal on, a length of railroad track can suffice. The anvil in question looks pretty good. I'd be careful about dressing the face with a grinder. Generally, an anvil has a 1/2" to 3/4" plate of hardened steel working surface welded to a malleable cast iron body.
Off hand, I can't think of any current domestic anvil makers, although there are domestic blacksmith tool and anvil suppliers:
the few quality anvils left come from Sweden and Germany as far as I know. The worst out there are referred to a ASO or Anvil-Shaped
Objects. If you go to Google you'll find all sorts of lists of makers past and present and current sources for tools, anvils, etc.
Even if you don't think you'd need the tools, I'd get them if possible, you may end up getting hooked or if you go to sell the anvil, having tools draws in more interest.
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