cheap anvil

There is even heavier track if you can find it. I have seen up to 140lb. That is weight per 3 feet. You can always go to the scrap yard and see if they have any large steel and make a japanese style anvil. I have been looking for some large DIA solid. I found a piece of 12" dia but could not get it. It was about 10 feet long. If you do decide on the RR track then get about 18" or better. The anvil does do a lot of work so the heavier you can get the more energy will be transferred back into the work. I have tried RR track and there was a lot of bounce. The best anvil i ever worked on was a 560# Haybudden. I could not beleive how much more the steel moved on the heavier anvil. Same hammer just a bigger anvil. I have a 250# fisher that is really nice. It is big enough but I can still take it to demonstrations with a little help. Put the word out to your friends and you may get a nice suprise. If you have to though us the track but keep an eye open for that hidden treasure.

Chuck
 
I think the heaviest rail track still made is 170CR which is for heavy rail cranes.

Avoid harborfreight cast junk. If you want to buy a new anvil oldworldanvils.com carries decent quality cast steel. not the best, but they wont break the bank either. You can do better many times with a decent used peterwright, fisher, trenton, hay budden, etc than with a new one.

My philosophy is, the cheapest anvil is the one you buy once, and your kids and grandkids inherit.
 
do a google search for homemade anvils.
a 12X4 inch piece of mild steel cemented in a 5gal. bucket makes a very good anvil.
railroad track is too springy, you will not be able to hammer shit with it.
although a small section placed on end will make a nice bench anvil for peining
pins
and other tasks.
if i knew how to post a photo on this antiguated forum i would share a photo of a bucket anvil.
buzz:grumpy:
 
justin is right. no fault of harbor freight. they sell whatever is shipped to them
don't i repeat don't buy a harbor freight anvil. they are junk.
do a search and you will see what i mean.
a good anvil will sell for at least a dollar a pound, at least. you can make one but you will have to do some studying first.
try to find someone who has an old anvil for sale or trade. 100 lbs. is a good size. you won't be sorry. make sure it is not damaged or has been messed with to cover up bad spots.
buzz
 
I got mine for free:p The shop I was working at was scraping an old gantree style EDM machine, and I ask if I could have one of the counter weights.

It's a approx. 125 lbs( never weighed it but it is heavy) . It is about 10 inches in Diameter and 15 inchs long. soild steel. nice and flat,
not the best rebound going but it works.

Keep looking you'll find chunks of steel in some of the oddest places.


I just traded a knife for a real anvil, a knife I made with the free anvil.

I still have to go pick it up . But it will be a huge improvement from what I have. Can't wait for a hardie hole..



Iwould try machine rebuilders in the area if there are any.



cya
jimi
 
A trip to the local scrap yards may turn up several ALO's (anvil like objects). A section of 4-8" round stock,a big block of 3" plate, any number of axles,etc. Scrap steel runs around $.30 a pound, so a 100# anvil could only cost $30.
 
Found mine at the local scrap yard. It's 24"X6"X3" and weighs about 150lbs. I have it sitting on end in a bucket of sand on a platform with rollers. It's starting to get pretty work hardened and works well for knives. Cost with bucket and sand was about $35.
 
If you guys would put your locstion below yer join date, someone in the area may see it and help ya out.
 
Well if you go get a chunk of rail 136 pound is the heaviest ive seen around. You could spike a 2 ft piece down to a half of a old switch tie 2 spikes would hold it down as far as the bounce after you spike it down im not sure. I do know its some of the finest steel in the world very hard chromium steel.kellyw
 
blackblt1 said:
Would something like a tractor counter weight also work?
Click to expand...

Should be good if it is steel. The reason you are looking for steel objects is cast iron absorbs a lot of energy from the hammer. The heavier it is the more energy from the hammer blow is used in the work piece.
 
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