One butt-ugly railroad anvil...I JUST NEED SOMETHING TO BEAT ON>>>

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This is the first thing I've welded, other than practice beads.   I  don't have a surface to hammer on other than the flat on my 5" vise and I  won't chance cracking that.  I've been searching for an anvil for about  a year with no luck, short of draining the bank account. This was welded up yesterday and today.  Since I've found nothing like  it, I guess this is unique.  Was able to get a 40" piece of RR track  from out behind our former very old general store.  Estimated age is  about 150 years.  No railroads within 40 miles of here so don't know  where it came from.  Barges used to be loaded with timber about 1/2 mile  from here over salt water.  I suspect that RR was the source and the  saltwater the culprit.  Very heavily rusted.  I submerged it in a 12  volt electrolysis solution and drew rust for about 2 weeks, cleaning  every couple of days.  Lots of crap came off, and it lost some weight.   Ends were torch cut, badly deteriorated and generally a disaster.  I  salvaged two 12.5" pieces instead of two 18" pieces I had hoped for. Cutting was done on my Wilton 7x12 horizontal band saw (Taiwan).   Internal cutting was done with ESAB 500i plasma torch where possible   and 4.5" angle grinder with a .045 slicer elsewhere.I've read hundreds of forum postings on black-smith sites about the  limitations of RR anvils.  Most focused on lack of weight and lack of  flat hammering surface.  Having no need for a horn, the thought occurred  to me...why not just weld 2 together and get maximum flat plus an  ability to slide a hollow item over a surface.  Base was ground to give  about 45 degree angles and a fairly tight fit.  Top was another  matter.   About 1/4" between upper surfaces so tacked a scrap piece  inside and used it as a backer for 6010 root.  What a mess!  Eventually,  after stress breaks of upper and lower root welds, managed to get it  together.  7018 the rest of the way, top and ends and bottom.  1" Hardy  hole was roughed out (still needs work) before joining using a slicer  blade on a 4.5" grinder and a chisel.Added weight was desirable, so I decided to close in the cavity between  the two rails.  Did so with some 1/8 sheet and welded the devil out of  it.  Heated it with an o/a rose-bud and filled it with melted lead from  trolling sinkers.  It added about 20 lbs.  Now weighs 62 lbs.More to do (like anchor holes) but thought I'd post current status.  Not  intended to be pretty by any stretch of the imagination.  Rebound over  the filled/solid area feels good with a ball-peen hammer.  The extended  portion has little rebound.  I don't have a 1" ball bearing to measure %  of rebound.  The white on some shots is from a coating of Ospho to  reduce future rusting.  Unexpected result is that Ospho shows all repair  lines....might be a dirt-cheap alternative to bluing dye to see  blemishes.  I later gave it a shot from a flap dick so the faults are  not so obvious.  Will probably use stove-black on the body to minimize future rust.Have at me!  I'm ready for a hammering! Attached ImagesLast edited by storeman; 10-28-2014 at 10:29 PM.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:seen worse. At least you've got a decently wide working area that is mostly flat versus continually curved.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I'll try to post a pic of mine tomorrow.  My great-grandfather was a blacksmith in a railroad town and I believe that my grandfather cut the one I have. My uncle mounted on a pole and wheel/tire for me. Nothing special to most but means something to me.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Doesn't look bad at all. Now  lets see what you can make with it..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks guys.  Some more pics.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:I just noticed. Is your hardy hole solid underneath, or does it pass all the way thru? If it's solid, you might want to think about drilling a hole thru so you can drive out any tooling that might get stuck from the back side..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks.  I will.  BTW: Stopped at Northern tool on the way back from Norfolk this morning to shop for an air driven needle scaler.  Their model is $39.99.  When I asked if any discounts were available, the clerk check the web and the unit is on sale for $19.99.  Great deal!  One year warranty.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Years ago, I ground the top as flat as possible, then welded a piece of 1 inch by 4 inch by 6 inch on top.Its always worked OK to beat on.
Reply:I've got 4 1/2x12" here, all flat except a slight dip behind the Hardy hole.  There are clean breaking edges on both ends and two different bending curves on the edges. Attached are pictures of it after treating with stove black and mounting on a 24" stump (maple).  Will get a larger diameter log when I can find one.  I think it will meet my needs.  Heated and trued up 2 8" USA made c-clamps this morning using a rosebud o/a tip.  That type work is likely what it will see the most of.  Front projection gives me a way to work on a hollow item.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Looks good to me.  I would use it.  It doesn't have to be pretty to work.Hemi-T"Ignorance can be fixed, but stupid is forever."Hobart BetaMig 2510Everlast PowerPro 256 TigMiller Radiator-1 Tig cooler
Reply:Thanks Hemi-T.  I do plan to use it.  In researching anvils I found there are "traditional" style anvils and "purpose built" anvils.  This one is the latter type.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Nice job considering what you had to work with. I have a very nice piece of track with no real rust on it (Arizona desert) that I am considering doing something with, putting the two pieces together was a great idea. This might just be the excuse I need for getting a HF band saw.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Thanks BigB.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Lot better than what I've got. I just have one piece. If I find another I'm copying you
Reply:I have a great old anvil.  Must be wrought iron with a not-so-hard steel top, as it's beat down in the center at least 1/2".  Looks like a swayback horse.  Don't know the weight but well over 100#.  My brother bought it off an old crazy neighbor of his for $35.  The guy had spent some time in a youth correctional facility in NJ many years ago.  The guy escaped one day while out mowing the fields on a tractor, just drove through the fence.  There was a long high-speed pursuit, at least as high speed as an old tractor would go.  Wish I had seen it.  They followed him until he ran out of gas, LOL.  Probably hit speeds of 15 MPH."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder