Height of anvil top

S

SAK

Joined
Sep 28, 2001
Messages
508
How high should the top surface of an anvil be? I just picked up my first anvil. I have a maple tree trunk for the anvil support and want to cut the maple to the proper length so the anvil will be at a useful height.

(At the same time, I also picked up an old coal forge with a hand crank blower. I am just beginning to experiment with using it).

Thanks,

--SAK
 
I was told that you should stand straight up, and with your arms hanging to the side, you should be able to rest the knuckles of your fist on it......I might be wrong =)
 
I like mine to be just a bit lower than that. I have mine so that when my most used hammer is is layed on the anvil, the handle is right at my grip level with arm near the bottom of swing. I hope that makes sense.
 
The knuckle method is the general area you want to be. The idea behind that is one of body ergonomics and mechanical advantage. Mainly, adjust the height from that "knuckle-height" to where you are comfortable, and most importantly, your hammer hits square and flat to the surface of the anvil. Any other movement or hammer angle is simple body language by you.

Also, if'n I may... May I suggest dumping the idea of using a stump? Lots of folks like the idea of using a stump (myself included in the past), but they are extremely hard to get both sides parallel. They crack and move, and soon they wobble. A good anvil stand can be made from many diffent things, but my favorite is made from layers of MDF subflooring material. Dense, strong, and absorbs vibrations from the anvil very well. Just a thought.
 
Another anvil stand can be made out of a 55 gal drum cut to the appropriate height and filled with sand with a wooden plate for the anvil to stand on.
Better to start with the anvil a tad higher as the sand will compact during use.
The best height is where the hammer face strikes square to the anvil without you having to bend over it to strike correctly.
 
This is what I was told years ago and how I set mine. The hammer head(striking surface) should be flat on the anvil face with the handle at a 90 degree angle when held in the hand. This will cause the hammer blows to be flat and square, other wise you'll be hammering off the heel or toe of the hammers striking surface, causing the steel to push or pull. A neighbor thats been a blacksmith for years told me this and it does appear to work well.

Bill
 
All of the above! I'll just add what feels comfortable to you. I like mine just a tad bit on the high side. Mainly so I can see it......
 
I agree with Raymond, but will add a little to all of them. Be careful about how you set it as you can do strange things to your wrists (carpal tunnel), and lower back (herniated discs), and these aren't fun. Set it up to be comfortable to start with, and be ready to resituate as necessary to fix the issues above.

I personally like to have my elbow slightly bent with the hammer on the anvil, but mostly that is for shoulder and elbow shock. I do strange things to my hammerheads anyway.

Doc
 
I would really like to thank all of you guys - a lot of responses in an amazingly short amount of time. I am going to set this up on Saturday.

Thanks again - I appreciate it,

--SAK
 
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