Anvil

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Been tryin to find me a cheap used anvil, a guy I know said (Harbor"Made in China"Freight) had them. Talked to some folks and they said they heard some on them but had not tried. Said they were not the right make/hardness, can crack or chip when used. Just wanting to know if you guys had heard anything. Thanks

[Oldknfmkr]

Hawk, don't waste your money. In the blacksmithing world they are known as an ASO's (anvil shaped objects). They are way too soft with zero rebound.
Put out the word to everyone you know that you are looking for an anvil. You will be surprised where it might lead. It took me 3yrs to find my first real anvil. A week later I found my second.
Here is a pic of my primary forging "anvil". It's a 200# piece of 4140. The dimensions are 5"x5"x25" in an angle iron stand welded to a piece of 1/2"plate. Check the local scrap yards.

Just holler if I can be of any help.
Mike

[Otter]

Something I've been curious about on the subject of anvils. Can modern railroad track be made into a decent anvil or is that material too soft too??

[DEADDAWG]

Otter, One of my favorite anvils is a chunk of railroad track I cut of a length I found in the woods up north.

[russ]

HF anvils make a great door stop or paper weight. They are cast iron and are a big hunk of junk. I picked up a brand new Cliff Carrol ferriers anvil on Craigslist for $70. Rail road track is fine for small stuff like flint strikers but cant be used for any substatial pounding.

[pilgrim]

     check out ebay, several up for bid,  one 55# for sale.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Thanks for the info. I do already have two decent chunks of railroad that work pretty good. I'll just wait until I stumble apon one.

[crazell]

you could use that darned hard head of yours ...

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

Or your belly, well for a tub mold.

[crazell]

you know a six pack doesn't work....a keg on the other hand!!!!  either way you and i have it covered ..

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Just went to a recycle yard today on a hunch. Saw 2 anvil's in a pile of metal. One was a double end. Tried to buy them and the counter guy said they are going to recycle them. I told him I would pay twice what he gets for scrap and he wouldn't do it. That's no way for an anvil to die. made me so sad I had to hit the jug.

[old salt]

That counter man is either dumer than a box of rocks or he has some one else he is holding them for.

[Oldknfmkr]

Hawk, I would try to talk to the owner of the recycle yard. Sometimes the hired help can't make decisions or are too lazy.
Mike

[Otter]

If all else fails let HIM hit the jug for a bit. Then hit him with the jug!!

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Well went back today with more money, talked to one of the managers they say it's against the law to remove the material  once it's been cataloged for shipping. I told him he's full of "used hay". He would not budge. However on a plus note I got a major score. I bought an old buffalo forge complete that works great for $50 big ones. In Oregon I couldn't  even touch the blower alone for under 100.  I go back to oregon tomorrow will try to post some pics. After I bought it I felt like a kid with a bagfull of candy. Can't wait to let it live again and pound some steel. It was a yard decoration.