While looking through a flea market earlier today I seen what looked like a nice 80ish pound anvil for 40 bucks. Ran over to grab it up and got surprised by how light it was. I flipped it over to see a large void. It couldn't have weighed more than 25-30 pounds. Needles to say I was disappointed even when they offered to knock off 5 dollars. Is hollow anvils a common thing? Should have I bought it anyway? All I have now is a bit of railroad track.

I'm not an anvil expert but MFC makes hollow anvils for the horseshoeing trade. Another out fit makes a half steal and half aluminum. I shoe and I don't recomend them. I know it's Ben said before but anvilfire.com has some exilent articles on how to make a serviceable anvil out of your piese of track.

ur lucky to have the track. my first anvil was an i-beam, not even the nice big structural kind bu one that was about 1/4in thick. i bet that piece of track will be great so don't sweat trying to find an anvil. :)

If it is hollow and has a hole running thru it parallel to the face then it was originally part of an anvil/vise combination tool.
I have one that was given to me and is about the size of a 70#.It`s made of ductile iron(says so on the casting).I use it for light work,mostly sheet metal and odd out of shop jobs.
Once you get a real anvil It won`t see much use.

I keep mine around for the grandkids,they really like that they have their own anvil set up on their own little stump just like Grampy.They are a little distracting though as they try to ape my movements and timing.The wife usually runs to get the camera and then things go down hill from there. I usually just shut things down and end up chasing them around the yard making fun of the way they run to get back at them.

Gotta get `em in the forge while they`re young.
How come nobody makes kid size safety glasses?

Stephen Feinstein just posted photos of he and his wife with an anvil that does look hollow. If it were not Stephen would be flat as a road kill coyote.

Wow, I had the same experience this weekend. I snapped a couple photos with my cell phone. Is this similar to the one you found? It was priced $35.

Stephen Feinstein just posted photos of he and his wife with an anvil that does look hollow. If it were not Stephen would be flat as a road kill coyote.

I tried to find those pics. Did a search in the members section for "Stephen Feinstein" and got "No results"..... Got a link? Thanks :)

I tried to find those pics. Did a search in the members section for "Stephen Feinstein" and got "No results"..... Got a link? Thanks

Steve is on Facebook. He just said the anvil had "Peterwrong" stamped on the side.

Wow, I had the same experience this weekend. I snapped a couple photos with my cell phone. Is this similar to the one you found? It was priced $35.

Yes, it looks identical. Well I don't remember the hole in the back, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. When I found it was hollow my interest dropped and I quit inspecting it at that point.

Mainely,Bob, when my son wants to watch I make him put on some swimming goggles. I know there not safety rated, but I make him stay at an safe distance and the goggles are just a precautionary measure. My son is 3 1/2 and doesn't need up close yet.

Steve is on Facebook. He just said the anvil had "Peterwrong" stamped on the side.

Ohhh, THAT Stephen Feinstein :lol:

In 1969 when I was first looking for anvils I found this really nice shaped anvil for $75 and was going to buy it but it came with two bags of Redi-mix concrete to fill it up with. It was for sale at the CO-OP. It was a kit for farriers. :lol:

can you fill it with lead?

can you fill it with lead?

Why bother its not going to make it any stronger. Its a hollow cast iron anvil not really good for much.

Be happy you walked away from it. As a workshop steady rest for a mechanic or occasional sheet metal work that is one thing, but not for forging. You are better off with a piece of mild steel or rail.

Phil

AinA has a patent for an anvil with a hollow going up through it to allow for greater hardening of the face plate. (*NOT* cast iron!)