Anvil

885
14
On occasion I need an anvil and I had been using the small one on the side of a bench vise. I have a friend who is still working for the railway, so he got me a small piece of rail.  Rail is classified by lbs per yard so this is 139 lb rail. This piece is about 9 inches long. I  smoothed the ends with a miter saw, then cut 14 pcs of 5/8 inch plywood in the shape of the profile of the rail and glued them together and attached  4 bolts for the handles. Now if you slide the rail in upright you have a rounded surface, and when you turn it upside down you have a large flat surface.  Its sure not a good looking build but it sure makes a good anvil.  Thank you for looking.

Jack

14 Comments

That’s kind of a perfect anvil for a woodshop. Just enough options to make it useful, but not do big it dominates a space. Well done!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

I could use that on occasion.   looks very usable.   

Ron

great way to use the rail jack. 

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I have a few chunks I could use for something like that stand, very cool!
Great idea! Every shop needs a surface like this from time to time and functional = good looking in my book.
Thank you guys, it’s a handy piece except when I have to move it. Heavy for an old man.

Jack

I had a 6' section one time, planned on using it as a bumper for my truck ( I was young and inventive ).

Basically collapsed the springs when I laid it up to check for length. Some heavy steel!
Nice set up for a piece of rail. Hard flat surface comes in handy more often than you would think
Now that I look back on Jack's anvil holder, I feel like I'm being mocked with that face sticking its tongue out at me 🤔
Thank you guys for looking, that’s funny Splinter  ,I didn’t see the face until you said that. Reminds me of one of my old girl friends.

Jack

I like your rail anvil Jack. But I don't know where I would get a chunk. And like you.... the weight. Gads! Still... it's pretty creative what you've done. Good on ya!
Nice small anvil Jack. 

Splint I had a guy I knew growing up and he did have the front bumper. He had a 3/4 ton truck, and it could evidently carry the load. I had no idea it was that kind of heavy though.