harbor freight anvel

[texasranger]

when you can't afford better you can't beet HF. But I usually only buy stuff that I am not going to use very often.

[Jeremiah]

I am the same....if it's something I am only going to use once or seldom, I will use Harbor Freight.  I have bought things there that have lasted for years though.  It just really depends on what it is.  Something like an anvil....I might be a bit leery.  I keep my eye on Craigslist all the time as they will show up there every so often at great prices...but don't last long...which is why I still don't have one!  I definitely cannot afford a new one...wow...very pricey!

[Blue Hill]

Kris, don't waste your money. They are junk. My fav anvil is a 2' piece of 5"x5", mounted on end in an angle iron frame. It weighs about 200# and cost me $50 at the scrap yard.
Mike

No HF in my neck of the woods, but we have similar stores and I wouldn't consider buying an anvil from them, while some of their other stuff is not too bad for the money.
Oldknfmkr I really like the mount you built for your post vice.  Very nice. 

[spooked]

I have a coupla pieces of railroad iron..but me favorite for bigger work I acquired at a sale where the auctioneer (friend) couldn't get a bid on a stack of concrete blocks..He said you'll take 'em for 5$ won'cha? I said only if that beam they are stacked goes with 'em..huge steel beam about 5' long..

[Red Badger]

I have a coupla pieces of railroad iron..but me favorite for bigger work I acquired at a sale where the auctioneer (friend) couldn't get a bid on a stack of concrete blocks..He said you'll take 'em for 5$ won'cha? I said only if that beam they are stacked goes with 'em..huge steel beam about 5' long..

That's the way to get a nice piece of steel!...

[flintstriker]

I was wanting a light duty anvil and didn't want to pay the price for the heavy duty ones, so I went looking for a piece of railroad track. Couldn't find that locally so I ended up getting the 15lb anvil at HF on sale for about $15, as I recall. I do some light hammering and shaping on it and use it as a weight for glue-ups sometimes and that's all I need.

Like some have said, you gotta be careful what you buy at HF so read reviews carefully and watch for sales and you'll fill a need for <$$. 

'Course there is that thing about not being made in the USA, I don't like that a bit, but I couldn't find a dang piece of track!

[Don]

I have visited HF a few times and didn't notice anvils in the store; at least the one I went to so can't comment on them.  I purchased a couple of generators from them 2 years ago and they work quite well.  I agree with the general membership that if you depend on your tools for a living you should pay for higher quality tools.  I am sure that most of us would know of at least a couple of guys that could mess up any anvil with a rubber mallet no matter what it's quality.     

[Vintovka]

HF might be ok for occasional light work but not sure. I have many very very early HF power and hand tools that are great. Newer stuff is iffy.  Always thought best stuff was made when they actually fed prisoner/slave laborers.  Without proper steel thats hardened correctly surface may easily dent and leave impressions in your work. Also may have voids and  just bust in half. Returns are  also a bit problematic at my HF.  Fwiw i always wondered why they include a spare set of brushes for ten buck grinders.

[Blackfeet]

One of my best buys ever was a set of ball pein hammers from Harbor Freight. They were so soft that they mushroomed in a manner in which you could anticipate and pre-grind the faces for particular work. It was like having a set of brass drift hammers. I just wish that you could get the same bad characteristics every time from them. On a better note, I bought a set of pipe wrenches from them that has lasted over 35 years and is still going strong. An anvil is a place to beat metal against metal. Being metal itself, you get what you pay for and shouldn't expect more.

[beowulf]

interesting ! I bought a set of ball peen hammers from them about thirty years back , and they are all still in good condition despite being used in ways never intended !  guess with harbor freight it`s the luck of the draw when you buy as to how it`ll work out !

[Blackfeet]

As I stated, it was a 'Best buy' because at the time I needed a hammer that would not shatter. . I was not being facetious for a change

I do suppose that your mileage and expectations may vary when buying at that price. I was happy, and apparently you were as well.

[DandJofAZ]

Love their natural bristle brushes....paint once and throw out or use at BBQ for sauce...They also carry Estwing 16oz straight claw hammers (seconds, I think) that are as good as any you will find for full price at hardware store..

Doug