I am trying to get back into Blacksmithing after more than 20 years. I have aquired, among other things, an anvil that looks like it says Peter Wright on it and is stamped with 1 1 5, which I translate to 140 lbs. I'm looking for a way to mount it. I can't afford to dedicate space to a smithy, so it will have to share space with everything else in my garage. While it doesn't have to be on wheels, I do need to be able to drag it around. I will be cutting down an elm tree soon so I could mount in on a chunk of that. I am concerned about it being top heavy. I don't have a welder to build a metal stand.

You could soak that elm stump for a week or so and see if it gains any weight. That never hurts in a flame rich environment anyways! If you have the means you could also mount a thick piece of plate to your elm chunk with countersunk lag bolts from the bottom.

You can still make a metal stand by drilling some holes and bolting the metal parts together, no welder needed.

There are several threads on the subject. The search engine is your friend once you figure out how to use the thing by asking the right questions.

Anvils have been traditionally mounted on stumps. I am sure part of this was because the stumps were available and inexpensive. I have seen all manner of bases for anvils, stumps, rammed earth, assembled timbers, metal, and the list continues depending on the ingenuity of the blacksmith and what materials were available. One that I use is an old grease drum filled with sand, which killed the ring of that anvil very well.

As to moving the anvil and stand, add a set of wheels to the base so they just touch the floor. On the other side, attach a couple of pieces of pipe. Slide handles into the pieces of pipe and lift to shift the weight onto the wheels. (thank Uri Hofi for that one)

If the elm is a big one not to worry. Only one (out of 3) that I have thoughts about
is a 88 lb H-B mounted on a stump small enough that the feet are right on the edge.
Anchor it down tight and roll it around on the edge.
Ken

If you use an elm stump, (was the wood of choice for the Old Blacksmiths) be sure to remove all the bark. Wood rots faster with the bark intact. On the bottom of the stump use a router to remove about 1/2" from the center leaving about 3/4 to 1" ring at the outer edge, this will help with remove some of the 'rock' from an uneven cut. You could also cut this edge to give 3 legs on the base. Then make your own nails to secure the anvil to the stump. You can also make loops or a ring to hang tongs and hammers on and mount this to the stump, tools at your reach.

Edited December 17, 200916 yr by Thomas Dean

In Otto Schmirler's book, "Werk und Werkzeug des Kunstschmieds," he talked about their shop anvils sitting in a steel box of sand. I have done this with two of my anvils. I arc welded 3/16" plate together for the boxes. The anvil is held fast by threaded rods and nuts to keep it from shifting. Two flat bars with holes either end sit on the slanted base, horn and heel sides. The rods are welded to the side of the box and go through the holes where they receive the washers and nuts. I can "walk" it around the shop.

http://www.turleyforge.com

my big double bick is on a 100+yr old red elm stump burried 4ft in the floor. 4 steel horseshoes are drove in on the feet. the other 4 are on angle iron stands that i built. and the 77# emerson on my rig is on a swingout and i have stump on aluminium legs that is laminiated marine grade plywood 15in thick.

I have seen anvils mounted on RR ties strapped together, stumps, large steel angle bolted together, 2x8 cribbed up to working height nailed together, CMU filled with concrete and rebar, just about anything solid and sturdy. Mine are all welded steel large box tube or pipe filled with sand.

As long as the stump is large enough it will not be a problem, I have 400lbs sitting on top of an oak log which sits on a dirt floor and it isn't top heavy at all, just make sure the dia of the log is larger than the base of the anvil, does'nt even have to be by a lot, you just don't want the feet/base of the anvil hanging over the edges.

welder19