Got an ASO

**Crusty** · Nov 30, 2020, 04:45 PM

Finally got me an ASO (anvil shaped object). It's a one foot length of some seriously heavy railroad track (weighs 60#) and should do nicely for the pounding on steel that I do. I'm going to make a concrete pedestal for it to add even more mass and since it's been forged should have a nice hammer rebound to it, much better than any of those asian ASOs which are offered everywhere. I have some 1" plate steel and the thought occurred to me that I could make and weld a horn to it.

**Crusty** · Dec 3, 2020, 01:34 PM

And here it is mounted onto a section of red oak trunk that I found this morning, so Bob's yer uncle. It's got a nice rebound with no ringing and it will fill my needs just fine.

Also got a 5' shaft with two 12" chain sprockets and one 6" sprocket, all for free at the same place.

**ibdennyak** · Dec 3, 2020, 08:28 PM

That looks like one of my solutions to a problem

**Crusty** · Dec 3, 2020, 09:00 PM

A tool is something that performs a useful function and I couldn't care less if it's art. I definitely don't have the time to waste making art.

**Crusty** · Dec 4, 2020, 08:28 AM

Today's project is to temporarily remove the anvil from the pedestal and paint at least the end grain to keep water out since it's likely that the ASO will sit outside uncovered. I'd paint the whole pedestal but the bargain bin paint that I have is an awful red color.

**calvinnichols1430** · Dec 4, 2020, 08:34 AM

The college that I attended Univ. of North Texas had a machine shop professor that would make Anvils out of Railroad iron. He would mount it on a engine lathe and turn the horn. I didn't get a chance to make one but I sure wanted to. It would be much better that the cast iron anvils you buy.

**Crusty** · Dec 4, 2020, 08:55 AM

That track is definitely forged steel but the thought of turning it in a lathe makes me shudder. Certainly not in my 9x20. I might make a horn from some 1" plate that I have and weld it onto one end if a need for a horn arises.