Question on anvils

[RichardG]

I have a piece of old rail road rail it works ok but would setting it on a piece of lead about 2 inches thick make it work better? It would have more mass and maybe not ring so bad, I have the lead so that is no problem.
Thanks Richard

[PixMan]

Sounds like a great idea to me, as long as you can find a way to fasten it well.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that if you were to melt the lead and set the iron in it, lead will shrink away from the cold iron as the lead itself cools. It's just a tiny amount, but could be enough to not be so secure to get the desired effect.

[chainfall]

Richard,

A rail anvil is pretty light weight as far as anvils go. If you put it on top of lead, the led will just deform underneath. But I suppose it depends on what type of work you are doing.

You'd be much better off trying to find an actual anvil but I'm sure you know that.

What is the anvil sitting on now?
If you bolt it to a heavy piece of tree stump, that will help a lot. Or chunks of railroad ties set on end.

[sawlog]

I have a piece just like you describe. Since I just use mine for light work sitting on the workbench works for me. What I would do is cut or drill holes in the lower section so the section of track could be bolted to something stronger.

[RichardG]

I have the rail anvil setting on about three feet of solid tree stump was hoping to ad a little more mass and lose a little ringing I don't use it a lot but would be used more if it worked a little better and did not ring quite so bad. Real anvils here are to much money (seattle) I guess I'll have to give it a try and see how it goes.
Richard

[Ironwoodsmith]

I for one would be interested in hearing how well the lead worked. Can you just make a form and pour it around the base? Preheat the steel rail first maybe. If it shrinks you can always form it with a hammer as it cools. Go for it!

[C_lazy_F_Guns]

The lead will never stand the pounding, it will fatigue and crumble. Find heavy steel plate to bolt to the bottom, many layers if you want. For the ring put a thin piece of rubber mud flap between . . . Or just wrap a rubber bungee around the waste.

[RichardG]

The lead I will be using will be from a old sail boat keel will cut a piece with the chain saw i don't think its pure lead ,not quite as soft . I have tried to cut with a cold chisel and not had much luck . Have also beat the heck out of it and it does not crumble at all. If it does not work I can still use it to make sinkers. I will post how it works when done.
Richard

[PixMan]

I'd sell the lead and the piece of RR for scrap and use the money to buy an actual anvil.

[Toolguy]

I'd go ahead and try it...nothing to lose.

[RichR]

Hi RichardG
I don't think bolting it down to lead is going to help with it ringing. Try bolting a couple of pieces of wood down so they wedge
hard against both sides of the narrow vertical sides of the piece of rail.

[Boucher]

This has worked well for my Anvil.

It is tacked to a piece of steel pipe which is then filled with cement. A similar arrangement would work for your rail. I don't do a lot of forging and prefer that the Anvil not ring.

[Alistair Hosie]

I wouls also opt for a large clump of heavy wood.It works great for anvils. Alistair

[chainfall]

If you want to stop the ringing, simply stick a couple heavy magnets to it.
Makes a huge difference.

[lost_cause]

If it does not work I can still use it to make sinkers

make sure to keep track of the local regulations. they made it illegal to fish with lead sinkers of a size less than 1oz or 2 1/2" in length.