Wasted $150 on a cheap anvil off Craigslist. Never again.

I thought I was getting a steal on a 100-pound anvil from some guy in Boise, but it turned out to be cast iron with a welded face. After three projects, the face chipped and I could barely set a hammer blow without it ringing like a bell. Did I mention the face had a crack I missed cause it was painted over? Anyone else get burned by a fake anvil and have a tip for spotting them before you hand over cash?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason56213d ago

I watched a video from some old timer blacksmith and he said to always tap the anvil with a ball peen hammer and listen for a clean ring. Cast iron gives off a dull thud or a high pitched clang while a real steel anvil has a clear note that fades slow. Also check the horn and heel for any signs of a weld line or strange texture under the paint. Real anvils usually have some maker's mark stamped deep, not just painted on.

foster.ruby13d ago

Huh, I've had good cast iron anvils ring just fine. Not sure that's a hard rule.