kindrage Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 hey I've been told by alot of people I could use a rail road iron for my first anvil but I can't for the life of me figure out how the top is curved and the bottom is flat but wide and kinda thin and if I use the bottom how can I mount it and on whatcan some one email me some photos on how to use and mount them and one what to mount it on. Again my email address is [email protected] thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Get a longer section of track, say about 4-5 feet long or more and stand it on end or bury one end in the ground. This way all the mass of the track is directly under the hammer. This requires a square(ish) cut end to work but that is not difficult to find. Rail road track can be used as an anvil in short sections by securing the flat bottom flange to keep it from walking or moving about. Short sections usually do not have the mass to really effective as an anvil for heavier forging, but work well for lighter stock. I am fortunate to have a section of track just under 3 feet in length. It lives beside my anvil next to the forge. Most times it stands on end, secured to a post or table. But you can find the same piece of track on the work table where I use all corners, curves, and other design features of the track as swages, 90* angles, inside curves, outside curves, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Worn rail has a flat top; but standing it on end is a better idea. Or you can look through "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" and see how he reworked rail into anvils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kindrage Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 thanks. I will try both ways. I guess it will work until my baby comes tjen I can spend more money to buy the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernesto Brown Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 i am eleven i thought a piece of I beam was good for an anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 You need something with a mass of 50-100 pounds, the more solid the better and the heavier the better. An I beam will work while you look for your next (and better) object to pound on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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