memyselfandI Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 during the arts and ag festival in our county this year,I met a blacksmith named chris kelly who was demonstrating. i am new to blacksmithing and don't have any tools yet. i asked him what anvil to get and he said that 20 lb harbor-freight anvils are real good ones. from what i have read here, it seems like maybe they are not. also, is 20 lb to light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 A 4x4x8" chunk of steel like they are selling right over there will be a much superior anvil to a HF cast iron ASO. I've owned a HF ASO and we makde it into a propane stove to heat coffee at blacksmithing conferences. Drilled like butter and had so much graphite in it you could use it for a pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 i agree w/ Thomas. I happen to know a blacksmith by that name. was the guy u met tall with brown hair and braces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memyselfandI Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 that sounds like him. he was working with a tall skinny guy who was a better blacksmith. thanks for the advice, i guess i won't get a harbor freight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pupmaster Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I don't know, but i think this is some dumb joke. I know Chris Kelly, and I know he would not have recommended a HF anvil. I also know the ''tall skinny'' guy, and is by no means ''way better'' than Kelly. I understand that Tc2 also knows Kelly, as well as the ''tall skinny'' guy and i have no doubt he will agree with me. In the mean time ,memyselfandI, I would suggest that you keep your opinions on a blacksmith's ability to yourself, as they may be offensive to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I don't know who you are, but I agree that Chris a very skilled smith. I have no authority on this forum, but I would ask that you , pureluck, would express your opinions in a kinder way. I hope you do not take offence or see this as a personal attack on you, i just want our forum to stay a friendly place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pupmaster Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I am sorry. I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFLIFe Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I have the 55 lb harbor freight anvil... It works okay for the money, I suppose; but after 2 solid months of forging, mine already looks more beat up than grandpas 100+ yr old anvil. Then again, I got it for free, so I'm not complaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Chunk of scrap steel is generally cheaper and will work better; free isn't free if you have to replace it on a regular basis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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