New Anvil!

Metalhead0483

Metalhead0483

Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
539
I have been forging on a 4x4 stump anvil since I moved to Georgia from AK a year and a half ago. It's been working reasonably well, but isn't ideal, and it gets marred pretty easily. Finally pooled some Christmas money and some sales money and ordered a new Atlas anvil. Can't wait!!! :D:D:D:D:D

So question, what are people using for stands these days? I want a well weighted stand to make up for the anvil being lighter. My last anvil I used 4x4s, but fought shrinkage and warping pretty much constantly. So I'd prefer something a bit more stable. Suggestions?
 
My favourite anvil, I use a piece chainsawed from a maple trunk. The small amvil sits on a section of glue-lam beam.
Its not rocket science.
 
I just use a big shag hickory section my Dad let me have when we took a tree down on his property a few years ago. Insects killed the tree so it's full of holes and is a bit spunky in spots.

It took me and my Dad to move the thing from the tractor to my truck when it was still wet haha - after being under my anvil for a couple years it's cracked in spots and has likely lost alot of weight. But it still works!

Did you use pressure treated 4x4's? They may work better for you. The weight difference between pressure treated lumber and regular lumber always blows my mind.
 
A few years ago I got rid of my stumps and welded up tri-leg stands from 2" square tube and 1/2" plate for the top (and feet). I filled the legs with oil and sand. They are significantly better and worth the $ and time to make them.

I bolted the anvils down to the stands and put some horse mat in between the anvil and the stand (which may have been unneeded). They are very secure, solid, easy to move and hard to tip over.
 
I think a steel tripod with sand and oil filled legs would make an excellent stand for the Atlas anvil.

I build mine out of 2x12s for my TFS double horn 100lb and wish I had just bit the bullet and had a Tripp’s stand made(I don’t have a welder). Once I get the positioning right and bolt it down it will be better.
 
Lieblad said:
Ha !
Those anti teetrer totter shims !
My anvil stumps underside I slightly hollowed to sit on 3 points of contact.
Unless I set it down on a definite chunk of something, it always sits solid.
My floor is badly cracked and has many high & lows about of 1/8".
Click to expand...
Its settled down a bit since I built it. I concaved the bottom ever so slightly so I could get it on the corners when it was brand spanking new, but now I've made a dozen or so sessions on it and it didn't even wiggle last time. When it gets good and dry I'll band around it somehow and maybe add a 2x around the base. MUCH better than the metal stand I had.
 
tkroenlein said:
270b9c7a-899c-4618-8598-2ca4da2f6372-jpeg.1270247
Click to expand...

Those shims... Are they cutoff shop apron leather? :P
 
I have really been liking my set up. The chains make it VERY solid because you can really tighten them down. 140 lb. anvil. I had the angle iron so the total for the 2x12s, chain and bolts was about $40.

I set it a foot into the ground here but since have moved into a new shop with a concrete floor and cut the extra foot off. Still works fantastically. The staggered 2x12s make slots for hammers. I also have since put a spike in one to catch my brush handle and a bar across the gap to hold tongs.
anvilstand1_orig.jpg
 
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