Thread: Mini Anvil

Originally Posted by DZEC

Sounds like you’ve found a productive way to spend an hour or so.

Actually, I can do just like Ron Popeil--set it and forget it!

Thank you for the info Roy.

I just bought a nice looking section of rail.
Has nice end cuts.
It measures 10.5 inches long and is 26 pounds.
Cost was $38.50 with Free Shipping!

I may leave it be or I might have a small section, maybe 2.5" or so, cut off to use strictly as a pinning anvil.
It will be really useful for many things as is though.
We shall see.

Pete <:-}

I couldn't resist--- I bought a small 10# section. Should be interesting. I'm wondering what would happen if I cleaned things up a bit then heated the top of the rail to red hot and quenched it in water. I would think that it would harden at least the surface.

There are nice examples here but don't limit yourself to railroad track.

This is a gear box that I have used.

If you can find a fabricating machine shop, they will sell you hardened steel mistakes that they have made. They usually sell it by the pound, so it is cheap and is usually already milled flat and square. It might not look like a traditional anvil, but a 2" thick piece of milled hardened steel makes a nice pin setter.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I couldn't resist--- I bought a small 10# section. Should be interesting. I'm wondering what would happen if I cleaned things up a bit then heated the top of the rail to red hot and quenched it in water. I would think that it would harden at least the surface.

Hardening a piece of RR track.!!!
I don't see the need, and I'll be surprised how far you get with a HF saw blade. Mine was cut on a industrial sized saw. One hour per cut, roughly.

Checked with my local machine shop and he said he'd use a abrasive cut off saw and it would be about $5 per cut. i'm going to see if i can still get that piece i passed up at the garage sale.( if he still has it)

I have not done it this way but read to cut it from the bottom or flat side and then when you get close to the top that is hardened hit it with a hammer and break the rest.

Would probably work.!

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've got railroad track and a harbor freight bandsaw blade I'm happy to sacrifice. I think I'm going to have to do some cutting. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

while your sacrificing send me one or bring it to the next meet if you guys haven't overloaded the Caddie