Why does nobody warn you about rust pits inside a 100 year old anvil

I picked up a Peter Wright at an estate sale outside Columbus last month for $250. Looked fine on top, face seemed flat. But when I started using it, my hammer blows felt dead, like something was absorbing the rebound. Turns out the whole underside was pitted out from decades of sitting on a dirt floor. I had to grind off almost a quarter inch to get past the corrosion. Has anyone else dealt with hidden internal rust on old anvils, or am I the only one who got burned buying one sight unseen?

1 comments

1 Comment

wood.john17d ago

That pitting underneath is a classic trap on old anvils that sat in dirt or moisture for decades. The face can look perfect while the body is rotting out from below. You did the right thing grinding down past the bad stuff, but check if you still have decent rebound and a nice ring after that. If it still sounds dead, you might have hairline cracks in the steel that grinding won't fix. Most folks check the top and the edges, but nobody flips them over or taps the sides with a ball peen hammer to listen for hollow spots. Next time, bring a small flashlight and a magnet to inspect the underside before you hand over cash, and don't be shy about asking to set it on its side for a quick look.