Paid $80 for a 'professional' anvil stand kit, ended up using a stump from my backyard

Saw this fancy anvil stand from a supplier in Ohio, all steel and rubber padding, looked real slick. Bolted it together, set my 150 lb anvil on it, and the whole thing wobbled like a loose tooth on the first hammer strike. Took it back, refunded my cash, and spent a Sunday hacking down an old oak stump behind my shed. Cost me zero dollars and my anvil hasn't budged since. Anyone else ditch the store-bought stuff for something free?

2 comments

2 Comments

evah4012h ago

Tbh, @dakota_fox, I gotta push back a little here. Is a wobble really that big of a deal for most people? I mean, if you're just doing basic blacksmithing or occasional repairs, a little shake isn't gonna ruin your day. Stumps can crack and rot over time too, so it's not like they're forever perfect. I've seen plenty of folks use a wobbly stand for years and still nail their work. Feels like the hype around stumps is mostly for the hardcore hobbyists who make it their whole personality. If it works for you, cool, but I'd rather spend my time hammering than hauling a log out of my yard.

dakota_fox1d ago

Stumps handle the shock way better than anything engineered. I bolted a steel plate to mine and it's been rock solid for years now.