Outside of the usual online venues, I would notify any local auctioneers that you were looking for one. They are usually glad to notify prospective bidders of what will be coming up for auction.

Gary

I found mine for sale locally on an online classified ads site. I kept checking for several months and it paid off. If you have one of those "smart phones", you can download apps for some of the very well known classified's sites and do a search. You can set it so if something matches your search, it'll tell you so you don't have to keep checking over and over. Also, it's worth it (in my opinion) to search a bit outside your particular area. A few bucks in gas and time driving is well worth saving a couple hundred dollars on a brand new anvil. You can also do some searches and see how a lot of guys start by making their own anvils. You seem to be a pretty handy guy and I imagine you could do just fine with some scrap until a good find comes along. One thing I will say is be careful about spending much money on ASO's (anvil shaped objects). It might look like an anvil, but if it's one of those poured in China jobs, I've heard fun stories of guys busting off parts while trying to forge. But on the other hand, if that's all you can find and/or afford, an ASO can be a lot better than nothing.

Good luck to you.

Jeremy

Does your state have a farmers association? If so they probably publish a magazine. I see anvils for sale in my state's farm bureau magazine every now and then. Tell all your friends that you are looking for an anvil. I got my first anvil that way. A co-worker saw an anvil it a friend of his's garage. He asked about it and I ended up trading a knife for it.

Dale

Jeff

Farm auctions are your best option for anvils in IA. Check out the auction listings in your area to find one.

The auctions down here usually let you preview items the day before the auction so you can see the anvil first. Most auction companies also will take an absentee bid and will bid on you behalf if you cannot attend the auction.

My experience is that about 1/2 the anvils at farm auctions in SE IA are pretty beat up, but there are also some jems. Typical prices that I have seen for really beat up ones are 1.50 - 2.00 per pound.

good luck in the hunt

Brian

Try Antique stores and look for shops that sell old tools! and ask them if they have any, or were you might find one! Im in Alabama! (Roll- Tide ) and me and a friend drove to Missouri to get good anvils!! I got a Peter Wright 126# But my best anvil came from an Antique Dealer I know! 200# for $100.00 Ray

Another source would be your local ABANA. I have been to a few meetings with my local ABANA and there is usually some there who knows where to find anything. I'm sure there is at least one of those guys in just about every ABANA chapter.