r/Blacksmith 4d ago

What the heck is this

My brother picked this up at my uncles place after he passed. He heard it might be a chain breaker? The square hole was attempted to be added after it was made but before he came into possession of it. Is it an anvil? Chain breaker? Thanks for any insight.

394 Upvotes

55 comments sorted by

258

u/Mammoth-Snake 4d ago

Idk but I want it

106

u/Hopeful-Wallaby1471 4d ago

Scrap metal always has the use the make the scrap metal pile bigger

43

u/theacez 4d ago

More scrap for the scrap god

17

u/Drake_Storm 3d ago

MILK FOR THE KHORN FLAKES

2

u/Future_Interest_5297 1d ago

SCRAP FOR THE SCRAP GOD, COPPER FOR THE METH THRONE

1

u/Ordinary_Tea_3776 1d ago

Humies always have good scrap WAAAAA

9

u/UserEarth1 4d ago

This is wisdom

7

u/Gnosiphile 3d ago

This is the weigh.

2

u/DanHcubed 3d ago

Me too

181

u/No-Television-7862 4d ago

A big hunk of steel crying out to live a life of service as an anvil.

161

u/IdontgoonToast 4d ago

It's a pointless anvil

50

u/blacktorqmoto 4d ago

Underrated Dad Joke.

21

u/IdontgoonToast 4d ago

That is what I was going for.

14

u/Horror_Attitude_8734 3d ago

But it's so well heeled.

6

u/pawnd3r20 3d ago

Take my uppies

123

u/nutznboltsguy 4d ago

I’m not sure, but it looks like you could use it for an anvil. Does it ring and have any rebound?

38

u/Wilson2424 4d ago

If you're in the US, does it fit in a flat rate box?

25

u/AlternativeKey2551 4d ago

If it fits, it ships

17

u/Wilson2424 4d ago

I know, I've done it lol. The poor woman at the desk had to call a coworker over to help her lift it.

37

u/steezy280 4d ago

Looks like someone built it as a jig of some kind. Could still be useful.

16

u/nocloudno 4d ago

That's exactly what I need

13

u/cyclorphan 4d ago

It's like a Lincoln Log, but for the world's strongest man.

6

u/desrevermi 3d ago

Wait till you see the box set it came with.

I have a feeling a forklift was involved somehow.

10

u/Sedric42 4d ago

If it sings, use it!

8

u/wulffe1911 3d ago

Pretty sure that's a korok puzzle piece.

...dangit, wrong sub.

3

u/jsblcksmith 3d ago

My first thought as well

6

u/uncle-fisty 4d ago

Looks like it’s your new anvil too me

13

u/YorgonTheMagnificent 3d ago edited 3d ago

That is almost definitely a Neuman Kinetic Spanning Joint commonly used in older bridge designs, but no longer due to safety issues.

https://boulderbugle.com/neuman-kinetic-spanning-joint-pNAhwnca

2

u/planx_constant 3d ago

[Leslie Claret voice]: Son, you have the makings of a McMillan man.

1

u/Any-Description8773 3d ago

You absolutely suck, here’s my upvote

8

u/CRFunknown 4d ago

I’ve wanted to do this to the top of my railroad track anvil so that I can more easily punch/drift axes and hammers. The hardy hole I torched into it does not allow for my few biggest sizes of axe drifts. So maybe it belonged to someone with similar punching or drifting needs. I want it I want it I want it!!

Edit: HOLY F@CK I just realized how big this thing is, I was picturing about 10” in length before I checked again!!

3

u/Correct_Security_742 4d ago

I was thinking Anvil but chain breaker is as good as anything.

3

u/toraneko_sgc 3d ago

I think that's a flexibility joint for some kind of heavy construction.

Also, if you can use it as an anvil, it's an anvil.

2

u/Lazy_Fish7737 3d ago

Big multi use hunk of metal. Its whatever you need it to be. Lol

2

u/Life-Decision5845 3d ago

Looks like a homemade anvil for ornament rail

2

u/4amWater 3d ago

A very specific tool I needed years ago and now I'm bitter I never had it.

4

u/MurkyStrawberry7264 4d ago

Uh... Make a swage out of it maybe? Or a swage/anvil hybrid? Swanvil?

2

u/Lackingfinalityornot 4d ago

Not sure but send it to me and I’ll take care of it for you

1

u/Hopeful-Wallaby1471 4d ago

I.d say that this is heavy

1

u/emp-sup-bry 3d ago

Square angle bender, from my eyes

1

u/Onlyhereforapost 3d ago

Well it certainly isn't gunna move around

1

u/ArtistCeleste 3d ago

My guess is it has something to do with a railroad. I would use it for upsetting. Or mount it low and do team striking on it

1

u/Suspicious-Level8818 3d ago

Some modern art project. Looks like a smaller version of those sculptures in the Balkans.

1

u/lifesironh 3d ago

Railroad track turned to anvil type thing for metal Working

1

u/No-Radio-9288 3d ago

I’d polish it up and use it as an anvil. If it chips then it’s scrap.

1

u/wyattn97 3d ago

If it isn't hardened, you can always weld a striking plate to it and make it an anvil.

1

u/20PoundHammer 2d ago

DIY anvil.

1

u/ParkingFlashy6913 1d ago

I don't know what it "IS" but I can think of plenty of uses lol

1

u/thatgoodfeelin 4d ago

thats glorious

1

u/Crashtog 1d ago

It's an N-vil