Frosty, here is another picture from above with a dollar bill to show scale. The anvil is 14” diagonally from foot to foot. The outside diameter of the upper drum is 17”. Maybe this is enough clearance to stand close to the anvil ? I will definitely try sand first as opposed to the steel plate. As far as the height is concerned , it is right within your recommendation of “The anvil face should be between knuckle and wrist height.” The other picture is of a 150 lb Peter Wright I just sold. I was told by a number of people that it was unstable. I doubt that any of them have the amount of experience that you have. Maybe the suggestion that Bubba gave is a viable alternative ?