Best anvil under $150?

[BDS167]

I originally purchased the $70 forge harbor freight one, it hasn’t been used yet but I’m thinking maybe I should have gone with a slightly more expensive one.

Any suggestions for a decent anvil under $150?

 

[eisman]

I don't know where you're at, but in the PNW good used anvils run $4-8 a pound depending on the size, make, and accessories. A good 200 - 300 lb anvil is going to cost over $1000. 100 -150 lbs are over $500 if you can find one.

 

[D-weaver]

I have none. I think if you can save money for a while and come up with enough to buy a 100 pound plus farrier's anvil (an older one) or something that's got good bounce, you'll be ahead and if you get in a pinch, you'll be able to sell it and get your money back.

The cheapest clean straight anvil I could find years ago was a soderfors pattern 125 pound anvil. It was $325, and would be about $500 now. I'd love to have a 250 pound anvil like it but the going rate for such a thing around here is about a grand.

Keep your eyes open for a good flat older anvil and save your money for a while instead.

Not sure if you could find a large piece of hardened plate that you could attach to a base and use like an anvil, but would be surprised if someone made such a thing flat and it was much less than a decent 100 pound anvil.

 

[P.C.E.]

I got one of the smaller 55 lb. Harbor freight ones free from a coworker, it works fine for the tasks that I've used it for.

If nothing else and you can find it, a nice solid piece or rail line will work too.

 

[afishhunter]

might have better luck n the makers subforum

 

[tltt]

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For a cheap anvil, a lot of hobbiest like these Chinese "Acciaio" pig anvils. The usual size is #66/30kg for 100 - 150 shipping included, but I have seen ones in the #110/50kg range for not much more on Ebay.

This guy has a whole series on testing one -

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He has a bunch more on his channel, and compares it to a few other imports and makeshift ones, so dig around it if interested.