Making a Railroad Track Anvil

JG Custom Metal Works

JG Custom Metal Works

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Nov 27, 2013
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I have a section of railroad track and am wanting to make an anvil out of it. It's a 20in piece so I'm not too limited by length. What I'm wondering is how I should go about this project. I've researched this a bit and haven't found a ton of info on here about making one, hence this thread.

I was thinking I would just draw out some lines for the shape of the thing and go to town with an angle grinder. Being a knife maker I understand the concept of not being able to put metal back. Is there any design features I should avoid? I like the idea of cutting a concave relief under the back of the face for a pritchel/hardy hole but I'm not sure if it will weaken the structure too much...

Also, I work a lot with lead and have a few tons of it at hand. I was thinking I could use some of it for mass and possibly mount it in a big block of lead. My idea is that I could fill an ammo can about 3/4(or maybe even less) of the way full with molten lead and let it harden up. Then, I could put the base of the anvil in the ammo can, if the design will fit, and fill the rest of the can up with more molten lead. This would encase the base of the anvil in the lead and add a ton of weight to it.

I only have two concerns with this idea. Would the lead melt from the heat from the anvil? Would the banging on the anvil loosen it's position in the lead? I don't think the anvil would get up to lead melting temp(600f) and I could probably put mild steel over the top to prevent hot slag from dropping on it. I'm not sure if the lead would take the impact of the anvil being stuck though. I imagine if I left it in the ammo can it would retain it's form better... What do you guys think?

This anvil looks awesome and I'd love to build one like it(only with a pritchel/hardy holes). Does anyone have critiques on it or suggestions on how to make one this nice? Would it be possible without milling equipment or a surface grinder?




Lastly, I've read multiple opinions in regards to hardening the surface of the face on these things. What lead me to come up with the lead idea was reading what Stacy posted in another thread:

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
High hardness is not the issue, or really all that desirable in an anvil. Most are moderately hard, Rc 48-52. Mass and inertia is what an anvil is all about. Even an unhardened Rc42-45 cast steel anvil will work fine if it has enough mass. For forging a knife, you want at least twenty times of mass of the hammer. So for a 3# hammer, you need a minimum of 60#, 75# is better, 100 pounds is good. Some folks go as high as 100 times the hammer weight.
Click to expand...

I've also heard Ed Caffrey state that he likes having a harder surface on the face of his anvil and softer hammers....


So, if anyone has advice about how I should go about this endeavor I'd definitely appreciate hearing it. I'll do my best to keep this thread updated along the way of the build.
 
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Why not sell or trade the lead for an anvil? Anyone I've met who made a railroad anvil has spent countless hours and consumables ended up with a crude product.
 
Sosa said:
Why not sell or trade the lead for an anvil? Anyone I've met who made a railroad anvil has spent countless hours and consumables ended up with a crude product.
Click to expand...

Haha you make a good point and you're probably right. The thing is that I have a few other needs(mainly a heat treat oven) that take priority over an anvil at the moment so I'm trying to make do with what I have. I just want something I can use to get my feet wet with forging. I'm a stock removal guy and need to keep my equipment purchases in that realm at this point.

That being said, that anvil I posted a pic of in the OP didn't seem crude to me at all...
 
2000 pounds of lead is about $1000 scrap. That will buy a nice anvil or just about pay for a HT oven.

A RR anvil is Ok for a starter anvil, but will be limited. As for mass under it, a big stump will work fine. Forget hardy and pritchel holes. They aren't needed or desirable on a RR anvil.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
This anvil looks awesome and I'd love to build one like it(only with a pritchel/hardy holes). Does anyone have critiques on it or suggestions on how to make one this nice? Would it be possible without milling equipment or a surface grinder?

Click to expand...

That is one pretty RR anvil!!!! I sure wish the one I have was half that nice. I use my RR anvil for pecking on stuff - inside for small things to hammer on. The 70lb anvil is outside mounted on a big wooden support.

You're talking about a forging anvil? RR anvil just isn't good for that.

Ken H>
 
Well I guess I kind of expected to hear what you gents are saying, I just didn't want to. :)

I'm wondering if it would be worth while to make a vertical anvil out of it to put more mass under the face? Like this: http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/anvils/making/RR-rail_anvils.php

Does my lead/ammo can base idea have any merit or should I not even bother with that route?

I've been shopping for anvils constantly but haven't found one yet that I can afford. I know a guy that has a 100lb anvil that he wants $250 for but that's just a little too steep for me at the moment. The face is a little beat up too and I'm not sure if it would be worth it...

The one I'm looking at(that he want's $250 for) is on the right. It's the biggest of the bunch and seems to be in the best shape, except for maybe the smaller one at the top.





He said the average weight on these things is 100lbs. Kind of vague but I assume, if true, then the one on the right should weigh at least 100lbs. Any opinions on these things? He thinks they're ACME or Fisher.

As always, thanks for the help guys.
 
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Have you been checking craigslist? Show up with cash. Money talks BS walks haha.
 
Hi there. I'm new to the forum and to blade forging. Just wanted to chime in and say that you absolutely CAN turn the rr track on end and use it that way. That's exactly how I built my first anvil. 4 ft of track welded to a 1/2" thick baseplate. Found a 6"x 6" x 1/2" tool steel plate and welded it to the other end. I was using this as an anvil for quite a while before buying a new emerson anvil. (Cheaper than any used one I found). One thing to keep in mind... it ain't gotta look like an anvil to be an anvil and just because it does look like one doesn't mean you'll want it. Just my 2 cents!
 
Problem solved. Scored a 155lb anvil today for $150. It looks like it might need some work but I'm pretty happy about it. It doesn't have any markings on it that I can tell.

It does look like it has a red ish circle painted on the face. I think it just might be marking the sweet spot. No I just need to build a stand for it, make it as quiet as possible, and possible smooth the top a bit.

Anyone have any ideas as to what it is?

image.jpg
 










If anyone has an any ideas as to what type of work this thing needs I'd appreciate the input. Being a stock removal guy this is all new territory for me.
 

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I would have bought that for 150! That's a good deal now days. If you can get a good profile shot we may be able to identify it for you.

Good score!
 
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