Hay Budden

[arcdawg]

cant you build up the face of that anvil and get it machined >?

dawg

[AZCoyote]

Cutter, you got a good deal. But, good anvils in the 100# range are not that hard to find. A 240# Hay Budden on the other hand, in top condition, is another story. So, the price goes up.

That guy selling that anvil is a neat old guy. I bought a 160# Mousehole anvil that's 180 years old from him last year. He tried to sell that Hay Budden before for $850, but the bids did not go that high. $850 is TOP DOLLAR even for a fine anvil like that, but still worth it IMO.

[AZCoyote]

Originally Posted by arcdawg

cant you build up the face of that anvil and get it machined >?

dawg

You can, but I wouldn't. It will never be the same. Besides there really is no need to. Anyone looking for a good anvil does not have to look hard. They are on E-bay all the time.

A rare old anvil that is really beat up should be left alone for collectors IMO. My Mousehole is 180 years old and smooth as a baby's butt. My Hay Budden is 100 years old and the same. You really have to abuse an anvil to smash up the tool steel on top.

[one_rod]

Originally Posted by Wyoming

Cutter, The worse thing that ever happened to anvil prices is the Martha Stewarts' of the decorating world who think an old anvil just adds so much to a backyard garden. Keeps the availability low and the prices high.

That will eventually come full circle. It has over here.

People have got these heavy, rusty, expensive, garden ornaments that are no longer in fashion and they are not quite sure what to do with them.

I swapped this ANVIL for wiring a mains feed into a neighbours garage. He paid quite a lot for the anvil, but did'nt want it cluttering up his re-modelled yard anymore.

The work I did for him was worth about £50 ($75).

Not as nice (or as big!) as the one you scored, but it shows that the bargains are out there if you keep looking.


one_rod.

[cutter]

I dunno, one_rod; it looks very close in size to me & mine really isn't all that perfect either. I'll try to think to measure mine in few minutes.

On another note, the old gent with the big anvil for sale emailed me back & invited me to send him the serial number so he could look up the mfg. date for me. Problem is now, I can't find it or I have seen only 2 digits on opposite sides of the waist, under the "manuel & ringo" lettering. I hope this isn't a lost cause because I really would like to date the old thing.
Have I ever mentioned that I love old hand tools? They just make me feel better about the world in general. I think its because they reassure me that humanity can survive and flourish without all this "must-have" foppery that we demand today; convenience, speed & power are nice & I enjoy them but pounding the snot out of a crooked piece of iron is a wonderful thing.

Originally Posted by cutter

Have I ever mentioned that I love old hand tools? They just make me feel better about the world in general. I think its because they reassure me that humanity can survive and flourish without all this "must-have" foppery that we demand today; convenience, speed & power are nice & I enjoy them but pounding the snot out of a crooked piece of iron is a wonderful thing.

Cutter, When I install drawer fronts I still prefer a good push drill and a Yankee screwdriver.

[bgott]

The serial number on that Hay- Budden is stamped on the front of the foot to the left of the horn, facing the horn. It should also have the weight stamped on the side under the trademark. Your anvil will weight a couple of pounds less due to the chips knocked off, rust, etc. Nice anvil!

[cutter]

Thanks for the info, bgott. That's probably going to be challenge, I think. I can see a couple of marks that might be partial numerals but they're not readable at this point. I didn't have any sunlight to help yesterday either. Knowing where to look helps a lot.

[Razorhunter]

Hey bro,
Did you ever date your anvil?

I just recently scored a 200lb Hay Budden for FREE!
It does have some edge chipping, but overall it's in decent shape. It actually weighs 195 lbs.

I can read the serial # too. The "200lb" marking is gone though, but the "Hay Budden" is still there.
I would love to show it, but my old computer won't let me resize pics too easily.
Wish I could show you guys.

I'm trying to decide if I should get this thing resurfaced. Anybody want to let me email them some pics, and give me your opinion? Anyone here know about resurfacing anvils?? I'm wondering if I can get a little work done to her, and have some nice clean edges ALL the way around again....
Any help would be appreciated fellas...

[cutter]

Originally Posted by Paul Cataldo

Hey bro,
Did you ever date your anvil?

Nope, no date, can't read the serial number.

Mail me your pictures; I'll resize them & send them back to you all ready for you to post. Then you can earn a big " you suck" for getting it free.

use this address: traderod(at)swbell.net