Kenny Fields Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I am getting my forge put together here in the next few days but i still do not have an anvil or the money to buy a new one. What would be some good things that can be used in place of an anvil till i can find a proper anvil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Hall Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Any chunk of steel, preferrably big, a very common one is Rail Road rail. Just head to a scrap yard and look for something. Ideally you want something fairly heavy with good mass, avoid cast iron anvils like the ones they sale at harbor freight....................... Rocks have been used, I am not recomending a rock, I was just saying that a starter " Anvil " something to get you going on the low budget is one of those things that seems to be over thaught often. Your best bet is to probably head to a scrap yard. If you share your location that may help. A lot of guys on here know some really great sources of such things local to them. You may be pretty close to someone willing to help out with some of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 A big sledge hammer head works well! Have fun :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Big chunk of I beam was my first anvil. about 75 lbs, webs about an inch thick. Had to stay over the center of it, but it worked. On end would have perhaps put the mass under the hammer face, where it belongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 For over 2000 years a big rectangular solid chunk of metal has been used as an anvil; the London pattern got it's pritchel about 200 years ago. So which one is a "real anvil"? They are not substitute anvils they are ANVILS! May I commend this to your attention as one possibility: http://www.marco-borromei.com/fork.html Also I once used the broken knuckle of a RR car coupler as an anvil---it had a flat place and a curved place and weighed about 80 pounds and was a whole lot better than a HF ASO made from cast iron! In my shop I have a chunk of large shafting about 9" in diameter and 5 thick---it can be oriented to either work on the flat or the curve. Also keep your eye open for old damaged anvils---I bought an anvil that is missing it's heel; but it still had an excellent face and a fair horn. I paid $40 and it weighs over 125# even missing the heel---it's the one I had my advanced class sledging on yesterday as they are unlikely to dammage it further! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.