My anvil started wobbling mid-project and I nearly lost a finger

Was working on a railroad spike knife last Tuesday and my old 110 pound anvil started rocking something fierce. Turns out the wooden stand I built three years ago finally rotted through at the base from all the grinding dust and moisture. I had to stop everything and bolt it to a fresh oak stump I cut down last fall. Has anyone else had their anvil stand fail on them like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

val_wilson10d ago

Oh man, that sounds terrifying! I had a similar scare with my anvil stand a few years back but not from rot. Mine was from termites. I bought this big old stump from a guy at a flea market and it looked fine, but after a few months I noticed it was getting wobbly. One day I took a swing at some hot steel and the whole thing just crumbled underneath me. Now I only use pressure treated lumber or concrete blocks after that mess.

rowan26210d ago

Termites are no joke. That's why I inspect my stump every few months now, can't trust 'em after stories like that.