Anvil Blasting

GibsonFan · May 15, 2007

Too cool... I just saw a 2002 episode of "Ripley's Believe it or Not" where they used explosives to toss an anvil 560-some feet in the air... it looked like a double-horn, maybe 100# or less, no clue who made it... they had to dig it out of 3' of dirt when it landed. Musta been a good one because it didn't look cracked or anything.

Think your anvil would take that?

fitzo · May 15, 2007

They call that an "Anvil Shoot", IIRC. That must've been fun to see.

warrior24 · May 15, 2007

even funner if they'd let you keep it.

Matt Shade · May 15, 2007

Never seen one in person but I've read about them. Looks pretty fun. You take one anvil and turn it upside down, then fill the concave base with blackpowder. Sit another anvil right side up on top of it, with a peice of wick stuck between them and let her rip!

I didn't realize they could toss them that dang far though

GibsonFan · May 15, 2007

I was channel-surfin when I came across it, couldn't tell you how they set it up. It did look pretty fun though

They must have had it planned out just right, because the anvil went straight up and came straight down.
Here's some vids

.... it appears Matt is right about the basic procedure...
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anvil+shoot&search=Search

JCaswell · May 15, 2007

Careful how you hook up your forge or you could have your own anvil shoot!

GibsonFan · May 15, 2007

JCaswell said:
Careful how you hook up your forge or you could have your own anvil shoot!

!!!

Jared Stenoien · May 16, 2007

I'm not sure whether to be amused or saddened by that video...

GibsonFan · May 16, 2007

Hey, it's no worse than pumpkin-launching!

J.McDonald Knives · May 16, 2007

that just made me cry to see a good anvil being launched into the air like that. not to mention they are using gun powder. makes me want to whip their butts. whos with me?!?!?!?!?!

SamuraiDave · May 16, 2007

I think they are using Anvil Like Objects (ALO's), they are all soft. One guy says "if you try this with a working anvil it will go to pieces".

It makes sense, if you were doing it you would want the anvil to bend and crack, not shatter. Go ahead and blow them up, no loss there.

John R. Fraps · May 17, 2007

If I offered to provide the black powder and fuse, would anyone offer to provide the 2 anvils to do this. It sounds cool! but I don't know of a safe place around here to fire off such a projectile..It would be cool to do/see though....
I've never totally outgrown the rocket making , fireworks shooting I liked so much as a kid. I may grow older, but never intend to completely grow up (smile).

Rob! · May 17, 2007

We do this every year at Ed Storch's symposium in Mannville Alberta.

It's no fun at all - everyone hates it. We just force ourselves to go through the motions for the sake of tradition.

Rob!

Barkes Knife Shop · May 17, 2007

I saw that also on Ripley's Believe it or now. That was cool ---------:thumbup:

SteelSlaver · May 18, 2007

Never shot an anvil, but have launched some fun stuff. My dad (he built mussle loaders) found out we were messing around creating our own fireworks and he jumped into supervise and make sure we learned to play safe. Nothing wrong with burning some powder making noise, busting stuff and launching it. If we would have launched grandpas anvil the old man woulda launched us though.