Used to pound hot steel on a railroad anvil. Now I use a proper French pattern.

Started out 5 years ago using a beat-up railroad anvil my uncle gave me. Thing rang like a church bell every time I hit it. Switched to a 150lb French pattern anvil last spring from a guy in Vermont. Night and day difference. Anyone else start on a junk anvil and wonder why your wrist hurt all the time?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant_hart28d ago

Wait, 150 pounds? That thing must be a monster.

rose_cooper28d ago

So I had this buddy back in Ohio who picked up a 200 pound Hay Budden at a farm auction. Took four guys and a dolly just to get it into his truck bed. First time he set it up he tried forging a 2 inch round bar and the whole thing jumped off the stand on the second hit. He ended up bolting it to a concrete pad with anchor bolts and then pouring a 6 inch slab around the base. That thing is never moving again. Kinda makes you wonder if lighter is better just for the sake of your back and your floor.

angelar5728d ago

You ever try wrapping a heavy chain around the base of that railroad anvil? That trick killed most of the ringing for me before I upgraded. The French pattern is way easier on your wrists for sure.