Questions to ask when looking to buy a staking set

[mbwatch]

2 hours ago, praezis said:

If you want to use this short term procedure, use a flat stump inside, the domed stake outside!

It took me months to figure this out for myself after being led astray by probably that same video.

10 hours ago, watchhammer said:

I'm hoping you guys can give me some insight on condition, what its worth, what it's missing and what to check out if I go take a look at it. 

$250 is in my opinion a great price for this set. Even if it is missing something here or there, it is really well kitted out. It includes the balance staff removal tool and what looks like its punch near the back left, and includes just about every stump I can imagine. I see a centering punch (the one with the knurled knob on the back end) but it would be nice to get a view if it has a good point and isn't broken. Even if it is, you can get a replacement from Cousins for about $15.

The condition of the punches from these photos look a little rusty but not terrible. They should clean up just fine with some steel wool and WD40, same with the die plate. It's several hours of work but worth it in the end.

I think this is a good buy. A kit this complete would go for $350 on ebay.

[watchhammer]

50 minutes ago, mbwatch said:

It took me months to figure this out for myself after being led astray by probably that same video.

$250 is in my opinion a great price for this set. Even if it is missing something here or there, it is really well kitted out. It includes the balance staff removal tool and what looks like its punch near the back left, and includes just about every stump I can imagine. I see a centering punch (the one with the knurled knob on the back end) but it would be nice to get a view if it has a good point and isn't broken. Even if it is, you can get a replacement from Cousins for about $15.

The condition of the punches from these photos look a little rusty but not terrible. They should clean up just fine with some steel wool and WD40, same with the die plate. It's several hours of work but worth it in the end.

I think this is a good buy. A kit this complete would go for $350 on ebay.

Thanks for the response MB 

[Pigskinfanboy]

On 3/1/2025 at 10:33 PM, watchhammer said:

Thought this wasn't worth starting a new thread.

This is for sale on my local marketplace. $250 US

I'm hoping you guys can give me some insight on condition, what its worth, what it's missing and what to check out if I go take a look at it. 

Thanks.

 

Just saw this reply and thought I’d chime in with what I see, from looking at these sets every day. This set appears to be one of the original K&D Inverto sets. It could possibly be a 17 or an early 18, I’ll look at mine really fast and make sure which ones were closed front. I think the anvil itself is an original Inverto with the closed front.  I have numerous versions here in my hobby room I could compare it too if you need. It’s definitely K&D in nature. 
 

I see at least 7 stakes that are broken, damaged or modified in some way. 1 stump appears to be broken. There’s a wide assortment of stumps that are period correct and also a period correct centering stake. There are extra stumps in the stake holes so you should be fine in that area. 
  The key points would be your skill level and if you are willing to take the time to check each stake for being bent, mushroomed on the end, plugged holes, broken tips and any chips, scratches or rust/corrosion that could prevent smooth inverting and accurate tool usage. The more sets I do, the more I’m learning daily and it’s really a fun hobby. It could come down to price also. If you could get this set for under $275-$325 (after reading your post again I’d jump all over it for that price and at least double my money when sold after complete restoration) it would be the perfect candidate for restoration and would make a very nice set with some limitations, because these older sets didn’t have a lot of the newer stakes that K&D 18R/600 series or C&E Marshall made at later dates. Hopefully this helped you some and if there’s any questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to send me a message 

 

  Good luck  

Rick 

Edit to attach some photos. 
 

these are 5 examples of early 1900’s anvils from K&D c. 1902-1925

L-R 

R1 77G (unknown 2 piece exact model #) 

New Style Frame D 6/1/1909

2 -Original Inverto 4/7/25 open fronts. 

1- Inverto 17 closed front aug 6 or 26 1902

Edited March 5 by Pigskinfanboy
Photos added

[watchhammer]

1 hour ago, Pigskinfanboy said:

Just saw this reply and thought I’d chime in with what I see, from looking at these sets every day. This set appears to be one of the original K&D Inverto sets. It could possibly be a 17 or an early 18, I’ll look at mine really fast and make sure which ones were closed front. I think the anvil itself is an original Inverto with the closed front.  I have numerous versions here in my hobby room I could compare it too if you need. It’s definitely K&D in nature. 
 

I see at least 7 stakes that are broken, damaged or modified in some way. 1 stump appears to be broken. There’s a wide assortment of stumps that are period correct and also a period correct centering stake. There are extra stumps in the stake holes so you should be fine in that area. 
  The key points would be your skill level and if you are willing to take the time to check each stake for being bent, mushroomed on the end, plugged holes, broken tips and any chips, scratches or rust/corrosion that could prevent smooth inverting and accurate tool usage. The more sets I do, the more I’m learning daily and it’s really a fun hobby. It could come down to price also. If you could get this set for under $275-$325 (after reading your post again I’d jump all over it for that price and at least double my money when sold after complete restoration) it would be the perfect candidate for restoration and would make a very nice set with some limitations, because these older sets didn’t have a lot of the newer stakes that K&D 18R/600 series or C&E Marshall made at later dates. Hopefully this helped you some and if there’s any questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to send me a message 

 

  Good luck  

Rick 

Edit to attach some photos. 
 

these are 5 examples of early 1900’s anvils from K&D c. 1902-1925

L-R 

R1 77G (unknown 2 piece exact model #) 

New Style Frame D 6/1/1909

2 -Original Inverto 4/7/25 open fronts. 

1- Inverto 17 closed front aug 6 or 26 1902

Thank you for taking the time to help. This place is special.