Anvil?

[Chuck TaperParticipant @chucktaper]

I am in process of purchasing an anvil – specifically. (<–link to Vevor item for the cautious amongst us.)

I thought I would ask for anvil opinions/observations before I press the button.

Current thinking:

Second hand items are either frighteningly priced or too far away.

I currently use a short length of rail line but that has its limits.

“The Internet” is as useful as it is in its opinions on these things – but, in the end, it’s just surface to hammer on.

Thanks in advance for any observations etc.

Frank C.

[JuddyParticipant @juddy]

Aim tools sell a similar product: https://www.aimtools.co.uk/products/402450-black-smiths-working-anvil-3lb-to-75lb?variant=32022566986

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Frank, it’s not unusual for a commercially made anvil to have a high price, even old worn ones are not that cheap, as some people buy them just for ornamental use. But you might get lucky, if someone just wants to get one out of the way.

Here’s one I made years ago, from an off cut of a brand new piece of flat bottom railway line. it didn’t even cost me anything to make.

 

Regards Nick.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

It all rather depends on what you want to use it for ? A good flat anvil is fine for some work but a worn one is better for straightening out things. A small bench one of 10 Kg or like mine at 130Kg. If it’s just for odd jobs a lump of 1″ plate will work. Heavy work on a cast iron one can soon chip it or even break it. Noel.

[parovozParticipant @parovoz]

Sideways rabbit hole…….

 

“It depends what you want to use it for” 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

Try googling ‘anvil firing’ and think Wylie Coyote,……

 

Regards.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Frank – whereabouts are you, as I know of a Record No. 11 for sale in Preston, Lancs £50

Rob

Edit – never mind, had a look at your link and it would be too small for you.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Here’s a review of a slightly larger one; hopefully the video will start at the relevant place

See also for a different model

Seems to be in stock with free UK shipping
https://www.vevor.co.uk/cast-steel-anvil-c_10827/vevor-single-horn-anvil-66lbs-cast-steel-anvil-high-hardness-rugged-round-horn-anvil-blacksmith-large-countertop-and-stable-base-with-round-and-square-hole-metalsmith-tool-for-bending-and-shaping-p_010345977724

Bill

[Chuck TaperParticipant @chucktaper]

Appreciate the replies.

Said anvil is just for general use. Nothing special, just want to upgrade from using misc. lumps of scrap to something dedicate to the task.

Also wanted to see what “wisdom of the crowd” might throw up – literally in case the ‘anvil firing’ thing – that has to be one of the most bizarre (whatever it is) I have seen.

I think I’m good.

Regards

FC

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Good morning Chuck,

The anvil in your link looks more than OK for “bench top” use, and at a reasonable price (check shipping cost).  It’s also cast steel, unlike many of the cheap anvils that are cast iron.  At least Vevor have got the pritchel hole in the right place with this model (I’ve seen some with it bisecting the step).  What always surprises me with anvils, is there’s seldom any holes to bolt them down.  Yes, you can use bent pins hammered into a log, but that’s hardly ideal for a small bench top anvil.  Also, being temporarily out of stock may not bode well.

peak4’s suggestion with free shipping looks like a good deal.

[Martin Johnson 1Participant @martinjohnson1]

I have had an old british equivalent to the vevor item for some years.  I work in relatively large scale (1/3 & over 1/2 size) and it does come in handy occasionally, especially the beak for beating rings and arcs over.   I have never come across fullers or hardy’s to fit the small hardy hole, though it would widen the use.  Mine roamed free on a big butt end of birch, I don’t think bench use  would be as sturdy.

The vevor price looks good to me.  Go for it.

Martin

[Chuck TaperParticipant @chucktaper]

What I lose in versatility I should gain in convenience (or vice versa!!)

Current “anvil”.

FC

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Hum. Often centuries (millennia in this case) of development have refined the design with reason. Holes for bolting down were probably found to just weaken it and break. Cast iron deadens the blows but is soft so a hard steel top is used to reinforce it and take the blows. An all steel one will ring although it is probably actually ductile iron not actual steel (that is cast iron with modifier elements added to transform the way the carbon performs – typical use is a car exhaust manifold).

I too have a spare sledge head for makeshift but like your scales weight idea so wonder if I can persuade the guys at the ‘Shed to repurpose one.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I got this unused 1cwt Brooks on eBay maybe fifteen years ago for £114 I think it was. A bit more expensive now!

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, this is my small indoor one, which is made from a piece of narrow gauge railway line. Very useful for small parts and hammers, but I don’t class it as a Jewellers one though.

Regards Nick.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

The cost of proper anvils went through the roof when people started to use them as garden ornaments Etc. They need an old and used one not something painted. Before this craze got going I got a very good 2.5 Cwt (130Kg )one (flat ) for £50. Only recently I was asked if I would sell it. When I said they couldn’t afford it, knowing they would never use it, they still persisted – at a not unrealistic £400 they lost interest !   Noel.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Can I reinforce Bazlye’s comments by listing what makes a bad anvil?  Avoid materials that:

• ring like a bell
• shatter
• spall (dangerous to the eyes)
• dent
• are too light (shouldn’t bounce about!)

Fairly obvious why anvils aren’t made of light, soft Aluminium or heavy soft Lead.  Other metals have pros and cons.  Cast-iron doesn’t ring, but it might shatter. Cast-steel won’t shatter and resists denting, but it rings, partly reduced by mounting on a heavy oak block.  Alloy steels make better anvils than the Carbon Steels because they’re tougher but are more expensive.  Traditional top-quality wrought-iron works well, but is all but unobtainium now.

New high-end anvils are expensive, I suspect because they’re composites, such as a tough alloy steel surface bonded to a cast-iron base.  Cheap anvils come with disadvantages: don’t hit them too hard!

Old railway line is good for small work.  Made of extra tough Manganese Steel.

Don’t assume old anvils are better than modern ones. “Too cheap” has always been a problem!   Ordinary wrought-iron contained too many impurities to make a good anvil; the best were made of much more expensive triple wrought metal.  Buyer beware, even though  time tends to filter out the rubbish.

Dave

[VicParticipant @vic]

This is the current model of my Anvil. Made of a single piece of cast steel with a face hardness of 63 – 68 Rockwell. Note the price – excluding VAT.

 

[VicParticipant @vic]

I also bought this one many years ago 😂

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