Bought a cheap anvil from Harbor Freight and it cracked after 3 months

I was trying to save some cash and grabbed their 70 lb cast iron anvil for about $60. The face started chipping on light hammer blows, and a full crack developed right across the horn last week. Total waste, now I'm out the money and have to buy a proper steel one anyway. Anyone have a good source for a decent used anvil around the Kansas City area?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese1241mo agoTop Commenter

Honestly, not surprised. That's not a real anvil, it's a cheap cast iron ASO, an anvil shaped object. They're basically decorative. For any real forging, you need a hardened steel face. Cast iron just shatters. Seen it happen a dozen times. Check local farm auctions or blacksmith groups online, sometimes you get lucky with an old Peter Wright or something.

jade_johnson1mo ago

Man, why do they even sell those things to beginners? I felt that same gut punch when my first "anvil" dented like clay.

angela6871mo ago

Ugh, that explains why my first project ended with a cracked "anvil"!