[TheForge] How bad are the HF cast anvils?

[Marc]

I bought a 55lb cast steel anvil from them about a year ago.  It served its 
purpose, that being a hard (somewhat) place to hammer on.  But it isn't very 
hard.  The ball-bearing bounce test had about a 60% return bounce.  And the 
ball dimpled the face, too.  The face has all sorts of dents from working 
steel that got a bit too cold (hey, I was just starting out :-).

The horn was more of a float-top than round.  Not much more than a 1/4" 
radius edge.  But I ground that down a little better.  And there were some 
holes in the casting on the horn.

So that's my review.  I don't think it would last a very long time, so you'd 
probably be better off with a large piece of mild steel 3" - 4" plate.  That 
would be cheaper still if gotten from a scrap yard.
-- 
-Marc Godbout
http://rain.prohosting.com/ironring

On Friday 28 December 2001 10:28 am, you wrote:
> From another list I've seen a request for information on the Harbor Freight
> 110lb anvil.
>
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46707
>
> They say its "cast steel."  Anyone ever seen one of these beasties?  Their
> products are generally, uhm... "less than desirable", but you can still
> find some good deals.
>
> I know their cast iron anvils aren't any good, but I hadn't seen the "cast
> steel" before.  At 1/4 of the price of a Czech anvil, its starting to look
> good, if it isn't just a boat anchor.
>
>