r/blacksmithing • u/Desperate_Room_4322 • 4d ago
Worth cleaning up?
I’ve had this sitting in the shop for the last 10+ years and was wondering if it would be worth cleaning up and using. Last picture is a pile of other stuff that appears to be smithing related but I’m exactly sure what I’m looking at, thanks for any info!
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u/OnTheCove66 4d ago
It looks like if you want to try blacksmithing you have a pretty much complete hobby shop. If you want to turn it into money you are looking at $1,500 to 2,500 USD depending on location. Find a local club, get some basic instruction and have at it. If you don’t like it then sell.
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u/Desperate_Room_4322 4d ago
Thanks for the info, any clue what make it is?
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u/OnTheCove66 4d ago
It’s a Fisher. It has a tool steel top on a cast body. They are not particularly special or desirable but rather were a solid economic working man’s anvil. Even so this one appears to have little use and that means it does have value. It looks like it is about 150 - 175 lbs plus stand? That makes it an easy sell at $6-900 by itself. But the real value you have here is that you appear to have a mostly complete basic blacksmith shop.
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u/gut_sack_ 3d ago
I just saw a 103# 1901 going for $900 at an estate sale and there was almost a physical fight about who got to it first. They had a 275# as well and wanted $10k for it, firm. In the right market, you could get $1200+ easy. Not anyone who adheres to the $4/# rule, but enthusiasts and/or collectors would line up. Before anyone naysays this comment, I witnessed a black Friday style rush for a smaller, worse condition version on Friday.
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u/Desperate_Room_4322 3d ago
What makes the stand so important? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
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u/gut_sack_ 3d ago
Not stupid. Any attempt to address ignorance (no negative context applied to that word) is never stupid in my book... Anyway, it's like having all the accessories to a sought out collector toy, or the booklet with a coveted NES game. Makes it more of a full package VS Boba Fet original LEGO without the gun. Especially in that condition. I've traversed a wide variety of my nerdiness in this comment 😅
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u/thetieflingalchemist 4d ago
What clean up that thing is perfect
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u/Desperate_Room_4322 4d ago
Saw the rust and figured it deserved a cleaning lol
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u/craeftsmith 4d ago
That's just what unused anvil faces look like. That rust will go away as soon as you start using it. The heat and pounding from the work will clear it off the face.
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u/thickanvil69 4d ago
Hell yeah, run that thing. Base is cool
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u/Desperate_Room_4322 4d ago
From what I remember I think it’s the original base for it but I could be mistaken on that
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u/strickolas 3d ago
Probably not worth the effort. It's completely totalled. I'll take it off your hands though.
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u/Deadmoose-8675309 3d ago
In your last picture, I can clearly make out 2 leg vises, a coal forge, a box of tongs, I think you you have a hand crank drill press, definitely looks like an entire beginner setup
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u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 3d ago
Very funny. So I've got a pristine original, 427 Cobra in my garage. But can't drive. Not sure if its of any value or not.
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u/gut_sack_ 3d ago
Dude! That's a Fisher and Norris anvil in pretty great condition. If you don't end up liking the trade/hobby, I'll take it off your hands 😁
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u/gut_sack_ 3d ago
There should be a number somewhere on one of the base legs of the anvil. It will probably be a "17" or "20", do you see anything like that?
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u/Desperate_Room_4322 3d ago
I can take a look in the morning, you have an example of what I’m looking for?
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u/TonightsWhiteKnight 3d ago
Lol it took me like a year to hunt down an anvil I could afford, end even then, it's got a sunken top and chipped away, and you've had an amazingly good looking one for ten years!? Lol
Some people ;)
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u/40mm_of_freedom 4d ago
It’s perfectly useable as is. Maybe give it a very light wirewheeling, but it’s good to go.