Sorry Thomas! Didn't mean to make you feel old man! Just tryin' to be polite...I'm new here and don't want to step on anyone's toes.
Thanks to everyone for the great ideas and reasoning behind not using the lead...I like the silicone idea Peacock.
Brianbrazealblacksmith, I haven't actually hammered on it yet, but that chain is through-bolted to the base and cinched down very tightly with lock nuts and washers...no matter how I twist and pull the anvil, it feels like a solid mount to the base and both the base and anvil move as one. I don't know if it will tend to loosen with use, but if it does I guess I'll have to go back to the drawing board.
Nakedanvil, I hear your concerns about tripping over the legs - that is a concern of mine too. Having never forged anything, I don't know if they'll be a problem or not...I guess time will tell. I have stood near the anvil in several positions that I think I may use when hammering and they don't seem to be a problem.
I've searched the web for good designs and the tripod with it's natural stability seemed like the best. A stump is not good for my application; since I'm in the military and I won't have a permanent shop for the foreseeable future I will have to roll this thing in and out of a shed for now...my whole setup is going to have to be somewhat portable. That's another reason I mounted the anvil with the chain and the bolts...I can easily separate the anvil from the stand and load them both in the back of my truck when it's time to move in a year. (But I've filed away your idea about a socket and post for when I do eventually have my dream shop!I think it has merit.)
Right now I'm in the process of painting the stand and researching a design for a propane forge to build...hope to be fired up by next weekend or the week after at the latest!
Thanks all, -Jason