Rob N.

I love this place. Thank you for all the replies. If ever there was consensus, there is on this topic! I definitely will save the $100.00 and use it towards a real anvil. Thanks again to everyone.

Hello all, I have an opportunity to buy a 200 lb grizzly anvil for $100 dollars. Of course it's cast iron. I am a newby to blacksmithing. I primarily want to bladesmith, but would also love to take up some classic blacksmithing projects. I guess I'm requesting advice as to whether or not, buying a 200 lb grizzly cast iron anvil for only $100 is a smart buy or not. Will it hold up to bladesmithing/blacksmithing or is it really just a very heavy doorstop. I presently am using a 20 inch piece of RR track in the vertical position spiked to an old heavy tree stump. It works well for a person of my ability, I guess. I just wanted some good advice from some good people in regards to the grizzly anvil. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for the kind welcome. And thanks for the info regarding the chats. Timing is everything I suppose, so I couldn't make last night's. But, I have been looking around, and will continue to, the site and educate myself. Thanks again.

Hello everyone, Another newbie here. I've been doing a lot of lurking and searching and have seen references to "blue prints" in the forums (example blueprint #133). My question is where do you find these blueprints? I'm really interested in plans for a charcoal forge. I already have plans for a propane forge from Zoellerforge.com, but wanted to have a charcoal forge, too, for a different forging experience Thanks in advance. Rob