GrahamH

I like the glue idea - really nicely damps the ring in that video. I've got easy access to a variety of epoxies - I'll see if I can find one with high toughness and low brittleness. Probably still add straps/chain just to share the load with the epoxy. And Glenn's right about putting those brackets 90 degrees out from the video - I like my knees and don't want them notched up.

Got it. No more sanding! Thanks for the tip and the warning. I've also now read the intro post and some of the links thereof. The wire wheeling suggestion from Daswulf makes sense, but I think I may leave the rest of the surface with the aged finish unless someone wiser than I suggests it's risky. I imagine the old rust is actually a pretty good protective surface and it looks great, in my opinion. And, FWIW, I did my first bit of hammering today to make some brackets to secure it to the stump. I'm leaning towards the chain attachment method that Essential Craftsman used in this video, as I have all the bits and pieces:

My in-laws got me an antique Hay Budden (I believe that's what it is - markings are very eroded) for Christmas. It's roughly 150lbs. This is my first anvil and I'm going to work with it a while, but it does look like it will need a bit of repair if I'm going to get serious. Any suggestions, thoughts, etc. are welcome. I'm in the process of mounting it to a stand - we just lost an oak tree in a windstorm so I've got a section of trunk that will serve as the stand. So far the only refurbishing I've done is to sand the top with 80 grit belt sander, and hit the bottom with some rustoleum as it's on a fairly green bit of wood.