I got this new Holland anvil today. I put it on this pile of lumber to check the ringing. Surprising considering this makeshift pile of lumber it is quite quiet. Just a little ringing when lightly struck at the heel. I put this 1/2" aluminum plate under the anvil and it eliminated any ringing. How will the steel and aluminum react?  I think the aluminum may react to the steel. Any ideas?

 

Yes, dissimilar metals can react with each other in a galvanic reaction like the anode and cathode in a battery or an electrolysis set up.  However, the reaction needs an electrolyte to work.  It will not work dry.  If your shop was on a pier over salt water it might be an issue.  But if it is inside and dry I wouldn't worry much about the possibility.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

It will be inside and in SD we have low humidity. I  could use rubber belting under the anvil but thought the aluminum was more dense and might provide a firmer base. 

Honestly, while this is an interesting effect, there are better ways to deaden an anvil that wouldn't require the aluminum plate. Better to leave it free for other uses or for resale. 

Clamping down the base or gunking it to the stand with silicone caulk will do the job.  Going to stand some of those wood pieces vertical for the stand or weld up a metal one?

Don't know how long those 4X4s are but 4 of them held together with bolts or bands, set vertically like Thomas said would be the best use of them.

I have some better 5x6 lumber I plan to stand on end, bolt and glue together. The reason I am hesitant to use silicone is the cleanup if I change to a different  stand. I have some conveyor belting, not soft or rubbery so it shouldn't easily compress. Has anyone tried something like this? 

The anvil isn't very loud without anything under it but it could be more quiet. 

I have seen anvils set in lead, leather, tar paper, rubber etc. just about anything one can think of. It's not hard to clean off cheap latex calk when it's set and needed, it's only a bead around the perimeter of the anvil base.

Ok, a bead wouldn't be bad. I thought people were covering the entire base. 

I've done both, depending on how much I needed the caulk to provide structural strength as well as sound deadening. Either way, make sure that the bottom of the anvil and the top of the stand are clean and free from grease, wax, paint, or anything else that will interfere with the bond, unless you have something else (chain, bracket, spikes, etc) that will be holding the anvil down.

(Side note: nice anvil. If I were in the market for a new anvil and had the budget, Holland would definitely be at the top of my list.)

This is how I mounted it last night. I will put some silicone under it and later will build a stand using the 5x6 posts I have. It definitely has a ring at the heel end, will need some silicone under it. A magnet works good but will not stay in place when hammering.  

 

Nice anvil, nice stand! Does that stand increase the ring over the the wood? 

 

That table/stand looks like cast iron which doesn't do well with shock loading. I know some some companies, Fisher for example, made cast iron stands for their anvils so you might be fine... However, those were designed and cast with anvils in mind... Hm.. I'll defer to others opinions.

She's certainly a purty anvil.

It is cast. It has held up for many years under ASO and my HB. I am not sure it is the best material but I wanted to  get it mounted it and use it! I will build a decent wooden stand. Thank you, I like the looks of it too!

 

Nothing is as permanent as a temporary fix.        If something works I tend to let it go on working and deal with other stuff that is not working.

48 minutes ago, Michael said:

Nice anvil, nice stand! Does that stand increase the ring over the the wood? 

 

Yes it is louder than the wood. My HB was quiet on this stand but it won't be a problem to quiet it. 

I have a couple of old cast iron cream separator stands similar to that one, I haven’t found a use for yet, I might experiment with one an mount an anvil to it to see how well they hold up,

On 2/19/2022 at 5:54 PM, TWISTEDWILLOW said:

I have a couple of old cast iron cream separator stands similar to that one, I haven’t found a use for yet, I might experiment with one an mount an anvil to it to see how well they hold up,

This is the same stand I am using. I have used it for 30 years and my wife's grandpa had an anvil on it before that. I think it is durable enough but upright wood or steel may provide more mass. When it warms a bit I plan to build one, it was -17 last night so is still chilly in the shop!