Hi All,
I need some advice. As some of you know, I've built a new shop. Until this point, all of my hot-work has been done at a facility that was not my own, so I've always used whatever equipment was available. All of the anvils at this facility were between 100 and 250 lbs.
My first anvil for the new shop is a beautiful 110lbs Fisher Norris that I got for a steal from a friend in the next town over. I plan on having at least three anvils at the shop, and for my second one I've been thinking of something around 250 lbs. The other day, a friend posed the question "why not go bigger? Like 450 lbs ?" I answered "well, a really large anvil like that ends up being very difficult to move around and reposition, so it's kind of inconvenient." He responded, "why would you need to move it around so much?"
I realized that I had that idea in mind because of where I had done my hot-work; there were classes of different size and different needs in the forge area at different times, so the equipment had to be moved around frequently. But why would I need to do that at my own shop? I couldn't come up with a reason.
So, yesterday I was hanging out with a bunch of blacksmiths, and I asked one of them if he knew of anybody who was looking to sell an anvil in good condition between 250 and 450lbs. He told me he happened to have a 508 or 528 lbs (couldn't remember which) Peter Wright at his shop that he he hadn't used for ten years. I went with him to check it out, and this thing is in mint condition. It's got a thin film of rust, but everything is true and square, no flaws, etc. I asked him how much he'd want per pound on it expecting him to say something like $4-$5 at least, and he said he'd part with it for $1200--which is about half what you'd pay for a brand new 275lbs Peddinghaus. And he can deliver it, which means I don't have to pay anything for shipping, etc.
But I'm a little gun-shy, and that's why I thought I'd throw it out to you. Is 500+ pounds just too damn big? I don't have any lifting apparatus in my shop. I know I'll be able to slide it around some, but I'm concerned that it'll just be a pain in the neck (maybe literally). Anybody have any thoughts? Experience working on an anvil of this size?
Thanks,
Zack
Zack Jonas
Journeyman Smith
Hello Zack. Personally I would jump on it for that price. Peter Wright is a great anvil, I have two of them. a 107 and a 121. My main anvil is a 305, maker unknown. You will be amazed at the difference a large anvil makes when forging. When I got my big anvil I noticed that my forging time went down, larger mass means moving metal more efficiently. Yes they are a pain when it comes to moving. I set mine up and it has pretty much stayed in the same place. It took four men to get it up on the stand, it is not going anywhere. I would say go for it. If you decide to part with it, you could get way more than you paid.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Hello Zack
I would jump on that in a heartbeat. I haven't worked on one that large, but I could probably figure which end is up on that thing.
I had a chance to go to an auction that had one in that size range, but it was like 300 miles away. I saw a picture of it, you could see your face in the top of it. Really nice!
You can figure out how to move it. The bigger it is the less likely some one will steal it and sell it for scrap.
Russell
Zack I think shifting it is a secondary concern, as Brion says larger is going to move less under the hammer and will equate to faster work.
My Sodorfors (180ish) is pinned to a huge oak stump which helps a bit but I can still get it to dance if I am working it hard which ultimately is effort lost.
I have used a 250+ lb (memory fails) anvil while working at the Mystic Seaport and when compared to my much lighter Peter Wright the difference is telling.
The price is fantastic as you know. If moving it is the issue give me a call and I will come up and lend a hand.
Just my $.02
Hey Zach,
You don't want that massive heavy thing clogging up your shop. I'll tell you want. As broke as I am, I'll round up the money (plus 10% for your pocket (a finders and handlers fee)) to save you from having to hassle with it. I know, it's a sacrifice for me, but you're a nice guy and shouldn't have to burden yourself with such inane decisions.
<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//tongue.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />
Are you kidding me?! You know how hard it is to find a good hefty anvil in good shape? Almost impossible! And one at that incredible price?! Go for it! And if on the outside chance you actually do find it unwieldy and impractical for your shop, you will have NO problem selling it (for a profit).
Have you posted any pix of your shop anywhere?
Aloha, Phil
Can't be too big. That is a hell of a deal, if you have the money jump on it.
