Hey, Hypno here.

 

     Put simply, I was just wondering if it would be possible to make an anvil out of concrete. My idea would be to put it into a form of some sort and let it cure into a useful shape. Would it be strong enough to endure hammer blows? Would it make a useful surface material?

 

Just a thought, Hypno.

Cast Iron would be better, granite would be even better. some steel would be better, even if a sledge hammer.

 

In a word, no.

 

It would not tand up against the hammer blows. But, you could try it. For $3 a bag, you might be able to let us know how it worked. But I would say no.

Greetings newbie,

 

You ever hit a concrete block with a sledge?  Yep thats what will happen... You can cure ti all you want butttt pop it will break....I think your time is better spent finding a old rail track or chunk of iron for you anvil needs...

 

Wear safety glasses...     Jim

Imo it would be best if welded up a pyramid shape out of as thick of plate you can get your hand on then weld in rebar inside criss crossing then get a even heavier piece of plate thats wider to give you a good sized foot print. Set your pyramid on that then weld it down to the plate. Then go rent a concrete vibrator and pour your mud make sure no holidays in the mud. I dont know much about anvils per se but i know some about concrete. It breaks easiest when it has somewhere to go, if you can control that the concrete is strongest....but then again im a plumber lol

Heat will cause concrete spalding and send fragments flying everywhere.

Bad thought! Don't even try it...

Wow, thanks for the heads up guys! I definitely don't want it to crack or fall apart with a hot piece of steel that could fly away. I will try to think up some other anvil alternatives and pass it by you if I think of anything  :)

 

Thanks for the feedback as always, Hypno.

If the cost of an anvil is intimidating or out of reach for now and you really need something to bang on, I'd recommend looking into a die block.  Call some local tool and die makers and ask them if they have any blocks laying around that they don't need/use anymore.  I got 2 blocks that weigh just shy of 75 lb each for $15 each just by walking into a tool shop, introducing myself to the owner and telling him I'm starting a blacksmithing hobby and I need something to hit on.  He had three large chucks (about 12" in diameter and 3" thick) and 2 blocks just sitting all shiny-like in the corner, coated in oil, waiting to be used for something.  
 

If you were closer I'd give you one but the cost of shipping one across the continent would be somewhat prohibitive, putting you back at square one.  

I got three 50lbs chunks of steel just by asking around a few friends... Have given one away as an anvil already.  Is it perfect? No. But it will get you going.