Rant: Had to pick between a power hammer and a new anvil, picked wrong

So I saved up about $3,000 over 6 months and had to choose between a used 25lb Little Giant power hammer or a new 200lb anvil. I went with the power hammer thinking it would speed up my work. But now I'm stuck because my old anvil has a dead spot in the middle and rings like crazy. Should have just bought the anvil first, anyone else make a similar mistake on which tool to prioritize?

3 comments

3 Comments

gonzalez.rowan1mo ago

Drown that anvil in some thick oil or even used motor oil to kill the ring, it works better than youd think. For the dead spot, you can try welding a hardface layer right on top of it if youre careful with heat. But honestly, keep that power hammer for now and hunt for a beat up 150lb anvil on craigslist or at farm auctions. They pop up cheap if you wait long enough, then you have both tools instead of kicking yourself.

jordan3051mo ago

You ever weld hardface on a dead spot before yourself?

margaret991mo ago

Grabbed a beat up 150lb anvil off facebook marketplace for 200 bucks last year. Guy wanted 400 but it had a chipped horn and rust so I talked him down. For your current anvil, try bolting it down tight to a heavy stump or base, that kills the ring way better than oil. You made the right call on the power hammer honestly, a clean anvil is easier to find than a good machine. Just keep your eyes peeled for a deal and youll have both before you know it.