Brand new to the forum. Great information so far. I look forward to browsing and learning.
I've wanted an anvil for many years. I've missed a few good ones during the search. My dad recently found a 129lb (126lb actual) Arm & Hammer in WV and I brought it back to SC with me. I think it's in pretty good shape. Solid all across the face, decent rebound, very little sway. The face edges have some chips and the hardie hole has been a little abused. I love the size and design, don't mind the condition, and I think with a little cleanup it will serve me well.
It received many layers of various paints over the years so the first order of business was to sandblast it clean. It was then coated it with linseed oil and dried in a powder coating oven. I've been working on a design-as-I-go base for it. I started with a piece of well seasoned WV red oak. I have both ends of pretty well squared up and I decided to route an anvil base shaped recess in the top of the log. The anvil fits well down into the ~1/2" deep recess and sits solid and I don't think it will walk around much. I have lots of reshaping planned for the oak base later but my thoughts have now moved to anchoring the anvil down. Because I'm working in a small space, I will be making a rolling base and worry a little that it could tip off the log if a roller were to hit something on the floor and stop suddenly. For anchoring, I've had thoughts of drilling and tapping a single 5/8"-11 (or so) blind hole in the center of the bottom of the anvil base and use a length of threaded rod up through the center of the log to anchor the anvil. I'll also use this threaded rod to attach the log/anvil to my rolling base.
I wanted to ask for some advice.
Is anchoring the anvil to the oak base even needed?
Second question; is attempting to drill and tap into the anvil a dumb idea?
Thanks in advance. I'm proud to own the anvil. Here are some pictures:
