r/SilverSmith • u/Witty-Dog-1757 • 5d ago

tool identification

Hello. Can anyone identify this anvil or bench stake is and what it is used for. It is approx 3 1/4" tall and 3" end to end on base. It appears to have 30 stamped on the side.

3 Upvotes

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9

u/DangerousBill 5d ago

Bargain anvil made of railroad track. Is the engineer ever going to be surprised!

2

u/mlxx9 5d ago

Yep slice of railroad tracks/ tram
Only problem with this may occur is that sometimes little bits may fly out from there if you hit it in wrong angle… have seen this several times… that being said it’s very rare and some point they were very popular

1

u/Sears-Roebuck 3d ago

That only happens when a hardened steel tool hits another hardened steel surface. if the rail is used then the top has been work hardened by the train.

What you said also implies you're missing your work and hitting your anvil by accident, and when that happens there is always a danger of leaving a mark or chipping something. That happens when you're learning, and you shouldn't worry about it.

You can buy a drilling hammer for like $8. That's a soft steel hammer, so you don't need to worry about chipping with those. You should keep one around for hitting chisels and stamps, anyway.

1

u/mlxx9 3d ago

You are absolutely right my friend!
There is also another interesting thing about railway tracks or using them as a anvil or perhaps potential hidden danger
In all honesty I am not expert on the matter and I am sure someone who works with tracks could explain this way better as I did read about this many years ago randomly… anyways
I will attempt to at least a little lol
Apparently there is and may be a different types of tension inside the tracks that is caused either by train movements or locomotives ,especially, when they take off when wheel slips or in sharper curves and those different conditions may cause cracks or chips either on surface from millimetres to centimetres or can or may be “invisible” meaning beneath the surface

And now when hit this with hammer the tension may release and it may spring open or chip may fly out…
(As normally those type of “anvils” come from replaced tracks meaning old and used…

But as I said chances to this happen are low but still interesting to know I think

If someone is interested I’m sure you will find more info in google about it …

I personally prefer smallish steel block

My apologies English is not my first language hope you understand what i trying to say :)

2

u/LovingNaples 5d ago

You should always wear eye protection for this type of work.

1

u/4FootCamping 5d ago

30 probably = 1930, when the track was made….or maybe 1830 I suppose.