Having to pick between a belt grinder and a new anvil for my shop budget

I had $400 set aside for upgrades last month and it came down to either a decent 2x72 belt grinder or a 150lb Peter Wright anvil a buddy was selling. I went with the anvil since my current one is just a chunk of railroad track, and the first time I used it for drawing out a knife blank I knew I made the right call. Any of you ever had to make a tough call like that between two big tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

beth_baker691mo ago

_and honestly that's a solid move going with the anvil. people think a belt grinder is the shortcut to everything but they forget you still need a good solid surface to work on. the railroad track works fine for some stuff but when you really need to move metal, a heavy anvil makes a world of difference because it doesn't bounce or eat up all your hammer energy. i'd say you made the right call, especially since a buddy was selling it-those peter wrights are getting harder to find for a fair price. the grinder can wait, a good anvil won't come around like that again.

the_fiona1mo agoMost Upvoted

I mean, a belt grinder would've actually let you shape things faster though.