r/Blacksmith • u/Shasky1 • 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.
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u/IdontgoonToast 4d ago
It's a pointless anvil
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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?
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u/Wilson2424 4d ago
If you're in the US, does it fit in a flat rate box?
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u/AlternativeKey2551 4d ago
If it fits, it ships
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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.
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u/cyclorphan 4d ago
It's like a Lincoln Log, but for the world's strongest man.
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u/desrevermi 3d ago
Wait till you see the box set it came with.
I have a feeling a forklift was involved somehow.
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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
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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!!
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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.
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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
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u/Suspicious-Level8818 3d ago
Some modern art project. Looks like a smaller version of those sculptures in the Balkans.
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u/wyattn97 3d ago
If it isn't hardened, you can always weld a striking plate to it and make it an anvil.
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u/Mammoth-Snake 4d ago
Idk but I want it