![]() You can find them at state sales, auctions, maintenance yards, scrap yards, and auto repair shops, or ask somebody who may have it. Do not try to find them on railroad property because you can get yourself into legal issues. Keep in mind that railroad tracks are not always easily available. Because of their hardness and strength, they are the most popular choice. They are usually made from medium steel, but that does not always have to be the case. Railroad Tracks are the most common anvil alternatives used by blacksmiths. Recommended for: Jewelers and medium-size projects Railroad Track (I-Beam Anvil) Check on Amazon So, spending about 50$ (or less) is not a bad idea for starting purposes.Īs you are getting advanced and work longer hours, you will need to get yourself a steel anvil (Amazon link) due to its durability and quality. The problem with real anvils is that they are getting more difficult to find and also their prices are higher than ever. If you are an aspiring blacksmith and have some money to spend, ASO is a good starting point. As we said earlier, cast iron is not ideal for anvils due to its brittleness. Anything that looks like an anvil but, in most cases, is badly manufactured. That is a popular blacksmithing term for Anvil Shaped Object. Recommended for: Cheap for beginners and medium-size projectsĪSO is usually cast iron, the lowest quality material for an anvil. Anvil-Shaped Object (ASO) Check on Amazon In this article, we decided to show you the most common ones.Ħ Best Anvil Alternatives for Blacksmiths 1. There are many different alternatives when it comes to anvils. You can find all shapes of DIY anvils for cheap online or other materials around the house. Depending on what type of blacksmithing you plan on doing, you might need a flat or round surface. The final feature to look for in an anvil alternative is its shape. Anything heavier than that will be harder and more inconvenient to move. The most convenient portable anvils are 100 to 150lb (45 to 68kg). Do you need to move your anvil frequently? That is also a very important question you have to ask yourself when choosing a proper anvil for your needs. Anvil PortabilityĮxcept for size, the related factor is portability. However, it is impossible to use large projects on small anvils. For example, a 3-pound hammer and a 150-pound anvil are excellent matches.Īlthough not ideal, large anvils can be used for small projects. For average blacksmithing work, the ideal weight ratio of the hammer to anvil is about 50:1. Size should be proportional to the project and the hammer size. When choosing an anvil substitute, consider that size is a great factor. Steel is stronger and harder than iron thus, it is the best material for an anvil. Though it only contains about 2% of carbon content, it makes significant physical changes. The carbon component is what differentiates the two. Iron occurs naturally as an element, whereas steel consists of many different elements that aren’t found naturally on the earth. Because of its strength, it is a better choice for an anvil.ĭifferently, steel is an alloy that primarily consists of carbon and iron. After every heat-treating process, it becomes a little harder. ![]() Wrought iron anvils (affiliate link) are much stronger than ones made out of cast iron. In case you are using iron, make sure it is wrought iron.Ĭast iron has been melted and cooled down afterward, while wrought iron has been heated up to high temperatures and then worked with tools. For example, cast iron is a terrible choice, while cast steel is excellent. ![]() Material is also an extremely important characteristic. Keep in mind that there are different ways of anchoring, so pick the most convenient method for you. On the other hand, make sure you do proper anchoring if the anvil is small. The more massive it is, the less it will move under the hammer striking. ![]() That is why it is recommended to have a large piece. The larger and heavier the piece is, the more stable it is. Stability is also an important factor to consider before choosing any substitute for an anvil. Early anvils were made from wrought iron, but after some time, they were slowly disappearing from the market as they are not hard as steel. When it comes to anvils, steel is a better material than iron. The face of the anvil should be the hardest as it will take the most beating.Īlways check for dents, cracks, and chips before usage. It should be able to endure constant hammering without breaking. Hardness is probably the most important factor of all. 6 Best Anvil Alternatives for BlacksmithsĦ Features to Look for in an Anvil Alternativeīefore analyzing anvil alternatives, we must discuss the important anvil characteristics to make a proper decision.6 Features to Look for in an Anvil Alternative. ![]()
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