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A bespoke charred timber anvil base with metal flat bars for a medieval look.
The project
I picked up this little anvil for a very reasonable price off Facebook Marketplace. I had no immediate need for an anvil in the garage, but if you love tools, you probably love anvils, too.
Naturally, an anvil needs to sit on a sturdy base, and I didn't want to just settle for the old tree-stump solution. I wanted something epic, preferably medieval looking, with a mix of charred wood and bare steel.
So, I started off with a 100 x 100 x 2400mm timber post that I cut in four and glued together to create a 200 x 200 x 600mm block to work from. I used a power planer to get the sides relatively flush without completely ruining its rugged looks, and also used a bevel on the edges while I was at it.
I traced the anvil's footprint and used my router to drop it by about 10mm, so that the anvil sat nice and snug and couldn't slide around.
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I also used the router to create 2 x 25 x 3mm channels around the base, and 150mm channels from the top and bottom ends. The milled recess will only really limit horizontal movement, so I still need to strap it down, so that using the front or back of it won't cause it to bounce out. Mounting also greatly reduces anvil ringing with each blow which can be so loud.
Once I was happy with the shape and size, I used a blowtorch to char the exterior and really bring out the wood grain. The charring was dead simple to do. I used a Bernzomatic TS8000 MAPP torch on full tilt and it made quick work of it. The challenge is to try and keep the burn even because, as you can imagine, softer pieces of wood char quicker than the harder, denser or more saturated bits. Then I did some quick scuffing with Scotchbrite to blend it nicely. I sealed the charred base with two layers of boiled Linseed oil.
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Finally, I created the two metal straps that fit snugly in the channels I had milled, welded the ends and drove 16 x 45mm coach screws through it to bring it all together. Overall, I'm super happy with the outcome. The last step will be to add the tool holder to the top and secure the anvil with some brackets that I'm yet to make.
You can see the welds I did where the ends of the Flat Bar met. I welded this because the strap sits in a channel and could not be fitted over. I did them with a little Ozito gasless MIG welder I bought. It works like a charm.
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Community member Rodney created a custom workbench with built-in tool storage.
Afternoon @MartiPedia
That stand and anvil really look the part! The way you described the process ticked off any ideas/thoughts of what if's 
Now the question is "Do you have a forge?" And also what is the first thing you will make?
Love the recessed top part to hold teh anvil in place, that is something I just wouldnt have thought of.
Dave
Hi @Dave-1 !
Yesss, I do have a forge as well as a homemade hammer rack that has since joined the party If you have a look at the original forum post, you'll see that I've shared some of the things that I've made, as well as my NEW anvil which is much bigger and better suited for the job. My first project was forging a small knife out of a masonry chisel I picked up during a walk one day. Since then I've made a good couple of knives, refining my process along the way and these have largely become gifts for friends. I'm yet to make one for myself 
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