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Why does nobody talk about how a cheap anvil can be a good start?

Last month, I helped my nephew set up his first shop in his garage in Springfield, and he only had about $300 for an anvil. Everyone online said to save up for a $1,000+ one, but we found a 70-pound cast steel one at a farm auction for $150. He's made a dozen decent knives on it already (you know, learning the basics). Has anyone else had a solid start on a budget piece that people told you to avoid?
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3 Comments
murphy.val
murphy.val25d ago
Wasn't there a whole article about how old railroad track anvils work just fine for beginners? The gatekeeping in some hobby forums is wild, but your nephew's knives prove the point. A cheap anvil that gets you hitting hot steel is way better than no anvil at all.
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kelly.nora
kelly.nora25d ago
Exactly, like @murphy.val said, a cheap anvil beats just watching videos.
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loganthompson
Man, this reminds me of my first welding cart. I built it out of an old bed frame I found on the curb and some cheap casters. It was ugly and wobbly, but it held my welder for two years while I learned. Sometimes the perfect tool is the one that lets you start right now.
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