Made a post anvil and already need another...

[Kevin McGovern]

I finally got my 130# block of 4140 mounted. I'm happy with it, but I have another issue... I've been asked to do a little demonstration at my churches men's retreat in the fall. I thought I might be able to use this anvil, but it is hella heavy. If you look in the lower left on the floor, you'll see a 4" diameter solid steel rod. A neighbor gave it to me, i have no idea what it was for, possibly part of a tiller or mower? Anyway, I'm thinking that could make a nice portable anvil. Any suggestions on mounting it? Anything I think of would make it pretty heavy as well. (concrete in a bucket). Maybe some sort of wood mount like I did on the current one, though I'm not sure how I would make a round hole that size in heavy lumber. Another alternative is a piece of 12"W x 14" H x 12" L I beam I have. Maybe cut some 2x10" to fill in the sides and deaden sound? Suggestions/ critiques appreciated.

 

[kuraki]

I would fill that keg with sand and sink the bar in. Bar is easy in, easy out, won't move when buried 3/4 of the way, keg has handles, easy to move with a dolly, etc. Lots of mass but no ringing.

Maybe that's still too heavy to move like you want. But it's cheap and easy. If you have access to kegs you could even just leave one at the church or wherever and just bring the bar when you do your thing, taking it home after, if you're going to do this more than once.

Otherwise I would probably laminate 2x4s and 2x10s or 12s to make a stand that the post can come in and out of, like this:

 

[Kevin McGovern]

I would fill that keg with sand and sink the bar in. Bar is easy in, easy out, won't move when buried 3/4 of the way, keg has handles, easy to move with a dolly, etc. Lots of mass but no ringing.

Maybe that's still too heavy to move like you want. But it's cheap and easy. If you have access to kegs you could even just leave one at the church or wherever and just bring the bar when you do your thing, taking it home after, if you're going to do this more than once.

Otherwise I would probably laminate 2x4s and 2x10s or 12s to make a stand that the post can come in and out of, like this:
View attachment 948150

Thanks that's a great idea with the keg. I could separate the sand into buckets if need be. I actually just found this video, and I like what he did here. What do you think?

 

[kuraki]

That looks really good too. But woodworking to me involves inordinate numbers of drywall screws and a chainsaw; a sawzall if you're going to get finicky. When I see wedges and mortises and flush cut japanese saws I know I'm not the target demographic for this video

 

[Kevin McGovern]

That looks really good too. But woodworking to me involves inordinate numbers of drywall screws and a chainsaw; a sawzall if you're going to get finicky. When I see wedges and mortises and flush cut japanese saws I know I'm not the target demographic for this video

Oh, I think my version would include some crazy long lag bolts and liquid nails...

 

[tr3yanderson]

Not to hijack, but this got me curious as to where one would go to get a block of 4140 steel or similar? This would be a step up from my railroad rail.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Not to hijack, but this got me curious as to where one would go to get a block of 4140 steel or similar? This would be a step up from my railroad rail.

I got it from New Jersey Steel Baron. NO I did NOT have it shipped. I live in Maryland and travel to New York sometimes for work. I stopped in to buy my usual steel and asked if he happened to have any anvil stock. He had a lot of it...

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Kecvin,
A really useful tip is to weld handles on the sides of a block/post anvil. That makes it easier to remove from the base and much easier/safer to transport. You can hang tongs or hammers in the handle loops when on the base.

3/8" to 1/2" round stock works well.

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

I have a post type anvil with 4 inch rod like you show in the pic. The piece I had was 8” long and is now welded to a 1.5 inch thick 8x8 chuck of steel from the scrapyard. 3/8 holes in the corners and lagged down to a homemade stump I made of 2x10’s. The whole shebang weighs about 85 lbs and is easy to move. I wish I had a pic to easily load.