vera29•1mo ago

My neighbor thinks a cheap anvil is fine for a beginner, but I completely disagree

Three years ago in my garage in Toledo, I started on a cast iron ASO and it nearly ruined my interest because the face chipped and the rebound was terrible. I tell every new person to save up for at least a 70lb steel anvil, even if it means waiting another month. What's the worst piece of 'starter' gear you've seen pushed on newcomers?

4 comments

4 Comments

jamiehayes1mo ago

My uncle's old cast iron anvil cracked in half on my third strike.

johnson.betty1mo ago

My grandpa's 80 pound anvil did the same thing last year, I mean it just split right down the middle. I was trying to straighten a piece of rebar and it gave up. It had a hidden crack for who knows how long. Maybe it's just me but those old cast ones seem to get brittle. I ended up having to get a new steel one, it was such a bummer.

brian_hart1mo ago

Guess it depends on the maker and how it was used.

mila_murphy3d ago

Grandpa's anvil just gave up like a bad party guest. One minute you're fixing rebar, the next you've got two 40 pound paperweights. Guess those old timers finally get tired of all the hammering. Makes you wonder how many hidden cracks are just waiting for the wrong piece of metal.