Columbian cast chrome iron ' anvil '

[pendragon1998]

I often see these little red Columbian cast chrome iron anvils on ebay. They've got a 3" x 6.5" top. Am I correct in thinking they're what the blacksmith crowd calls 'anvil shaped objects' since they're cast chrome iron? I'd sorta like to have a little bench top anvil for hammering on once in a while, but not if it's a piece of **** that's going to break on me.

Pics from one auction:

 

[pendragon1998]

I don't own one, was just wondering.

 

[jakemac]

You are correct in thinking that Blacksmiths would consider that an ASO. However, they can be useful in the shop as long as you recognize that they are for light duty only. They're good for soft pliable metals and light hammering. If you need something that size that can handle heavier pounding, then you might be better finding a short piece of RR track. Cast pieces can't handle the shock of hammering like forged pieces can.

Still, it's good to have a nice little ASO on hand when nothing else is available (mine is an old import from Japan). It's better than pounding on the back of your vise. If you see one at an acceptable price, then I'd pick one up.

 

[Alan Douglas]

I have one, mounted on a 2" thick bench top directly over the legs. With a 2 lb hammer it's very useful for riveting or pounding bent steel flat. It's a more useful shape than railroad track (I have a section of that also).

 

[Rickenbackerman]

I have one of those, too. Always been afraid to beat on it, so it lives under the workbench. I need to find a hunk of RR track...

 

[bluebolt]

I have one somewhere. Nice little piece for light work.

 

[1982fxr]

sold mine...

 

[toolmaven]

I have one too. It is a nice bench anvil for straightening and flattening sheet metal, with more surface than vise anvils. I also have a smaller one (no-name) that I've even used as a hand-held dolly. As long as you don't go crazy, you CAN forge small object on one of these, like turning dead screwdrivers into wood carving tools. Stuff you can heat with a propane torch before hammering, not items you need to heat in a big gas or coal forge. I'd be cautious hitting one of these with much more than a 24 ounce hammer a 2-pounder as Alan D. suggests is getting near a real smith-sized forging hammer.

 

[toolmaven]

Here is a picture of three of my little bench anvils but not the Columbian, that's at my other shop. The tiny one is a German jeweler's anvil of steel on a cast base. The Grey one is by Prairie Tool, a company that went out within the last 5 or 10 years, after making old fashioned farm tools for a very long time. It is really pretty terrible cast iron. The red one is similar to the Columbian but has a nice, well-shaped horn.

 

[Alan Douglas]

Now you got me curious: I weighed the hammer and it really is 2 lbs. I wouldn't hit the horn with that however.