Frontier Living Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 So got some great help on a forge build, but now I am more desperate for an anvil. Anyone have any good info on wher to get some railroad track or iron I could use as an anvil? I am doing small projects, so I don't need much, but would really like to be able to get it local. Thanks in advance for the help, this is a great community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 there is a thread about ways to get an anvil, look for T P A A A T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Just posted this elsewhere here but it's a good take on an anvil using materials that are available: http://www.marco-borromei.com/fork.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hit up Jerry Frost when he makes it back from Calli. Id anyone up that way can sniff out a chunk of scrap that will work it will be Frosty. He has mentioned large axle shaves from earth movers before... not to mention scrap from the port, military and oil/gas industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Just saw a show on Alaskan Railroads last night where somebody had shot up a stretch of rail with an 30'06 ( they showed the casings) they were cutting 12-15" sections of rail out and loading on their maint. truck looked perfect size! I know about RR's and their rails but they also run around complaining about not making money, someone sets down the them and explains this "Profit Center" to them. They can certainly get more than scrap money for it. If they sold the stuff people might stop stealing it includes spikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 The port also has "trolly rail" wich is larger. But any lump of steel bigger than your hammer will get you started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Well you can buy brand new spikes by the keg from the same manufacturers that sell them to the RR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natenaaron Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 T P A A A T is a lesson patience. Remember that. People say it works and I have been contacted by a few people but their stuff was awful. I have no doubt it will pay off someday. Until then RR track is going to be what I work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuppiejr Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 I got in good with a few guys who regularly garage/estate sale and have picked up some good blacksmithing and old tools as a result. I also put out feelers on two forums specializing on totally unrelated topics and ended up with two hits that resulted in anvils I was able to purchase (one for $2 a pound, the other straight barter for labor). Craigslist and eBay are tough unless you are really patient and quick when an opportunity pops, focus on fishing where others are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 A lot of the used RR rail goes to manufacture bed frames, so they probably have contracts for the scrap rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Fishing in a different pond: I once traded a Wilton Cadet vise for a 165# anvil; I think both parties considered the other crazy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 This is a difficult place to find an anvil most of the time. One does pop up from time to time. You would do well to learn what you are willing to pay and how to evaluate the possible anvil so you are ready when you find one so you do not buy junk or wait to long and someone else gets it. until then a large scrap would be a usable plan and if you really like smithing you could decide to buy new, but don't really want to do that if you are not sure you will stick with it long term. Many here do not believe in buying new, of course we all would like cheap or free, but if you are not old and you consider the life of the anvil even new ones are not that expensive on per day of use basis. 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.