After all that, I'd have expected them to be cutting corners, and generally sick of making something, only to have a boss claim it. I am led to believe that the two apprentices ended up making at least 8 anvils prior to mine, and had at least another 4 to complete after mine. I asked them to weld the table to the head of the rail, with appropriate overhangs, clearances, etc as per the drawings and templates I'd supplied.įrom what I understand, the guys who'd made my anvil were apprentices tasked by the tradesmen between jobs. I asked them to drill a pritchel hole in the table of a minimum of 1/2' diameter. I asked them to rough cut the rail with the oxy, and to cut the table from the 1 1/2' plate with either oxy or plasma cutting. To reduce the demand on the workshop, I only asked them to do what I couldn't easily do at home, or to do what was considerably easier (and more efficient) to do with the machines at work. If I could afford the purchase and shipping on a commercial anvil I'd have bought one.instead I made one. I relate it to show that most people who work with metal like the idea of having an anvil, but would rather someone else made it. I don't relate this story to criticise the workshop - far from it. By the time I got my anvil, all the heavy plate was used up, and I had refilled the rail offcuts bin at least twice. The workshop would then start another one for me, and another boss would walk through. the problem was some of the 'bosses' spotted my anvil in the workshop whilst it was being cut - each time the bosses would spot it, they'd claim it. Payment for getting the cutting done was to supply additional lengths of rail offcuts so other anvils could be made.

I also provided a sizable piece of 1-1 1/2' plate and marked up a 'table' to be cut at the same time. Since oxy cutting is not in my list of proficient skills yet, I asked one of my friends in the workshops to cut the rail for me. I was given access to a source of rail offcuts, and so was able to grab a number of lengths of rail ranging from 200-1200mm (8' - 48') in length. The first anvils I made were made of material which was too soft, and would scar when I attempted to flatten coat hanger wire on them, let alone anything substantial. People tend to make them too light, or out of materials which ring. The biggest issue with home made anvils is mass, and 'ringing'. Anvils are one of those things which can be 'home made', or totally unorthodox, but it's hard to make a cheap home made anvil which is good, and matches the traditional pattern.

Diy railroad track anvil plan