Making Aso / Railroad Track Anvil Using Angle Grinders.
Introduction: Making Aso / Railroad Track Anvil Using Angle Grinders.
Hi
In this instructable i show you easy way to make Aso (anvil shaped object ) / Anvil using a piece of railroad track.
Most likely you have seen several videos about the subject, i have too.
You might have noticed that straightening the top section of the track can be tricky?
Luckily it doesn't need to be that " hard " work at all. No need for milling, days used for grinding or any special tools.
If you straighten the top by making nice and straight cut trough it.
All you need is just one or two angle grinders, possibly a drill, some time and right abrasives.
I made my anvil from a 450mm long piece of rr-track that i found from a recycling center. I paid 10$ about it.
In my area railroad rails we're very popular in many kinds of uses after WW2.
There was a shortage about the steel, so old demolished rails we're used in fence posts, small bridges etc.
My local scrap yard has plenty of suitable pieces, with a very low price too.
This video shows the making process:
Ps. Note, that giveaway mentioned on the video isn't open anymore.
New owner of this anvil and the stand is somewhere in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Supplies
Tools and abrasives used:
Metabo WE 2200-230 230mm angle grinder with 2mm thick 3M cubitron 2 cut off wheels. For making the cuts. Making all cuts took about 3 wheels.
Metabo WEV 11-125 Quick 125mm 1100W angle grinder with 3M cubitron fibre disc. For rough shaping and smoothening. Used two 36grit wheels.
METABO W 750-125 125mm 750W angle grinder with 3M Roloc pad. Used: 60,80 and 120 grit Roloc cubitron papers. Two pcs each. Brown, red and blue 3M Scotch brite finishing pads. One pcs each.
Anvil was made during two days. Overall time used about 8 hours.
Step 1: Straightening the Top
Straightening the top section seems to be the " trickiest " according the videos that i have seen.
Simple solution to straighten the top is to cut 8mm thick slice out of it.
To be able to do it, you need a 180mm or 230mm angle grinder ( 7"-9" ) And couple good quality cut off wheels.
Both sizes can cut through the top section from one side.
To make the cut.
1. Clamp the piece of track to suitable height.
- I think that the best height is: When you are making the cut, grinder sets to somewhat same level with your pelvis, or little lower.
Then your shoulders are relaxed. Weight of the grinder leans against the workpiece. 933
All you need to do, is to guide it with the movements of your elbows or body.
2. Mark the cutting line. Use a scribe or other method that makes thin and clear line.
- Thin line is more accurate, idea is to make the cut right next to the line, not on top of it.
3. Start the cut. First, make a shallow groove following the marked line.
- As mentioned, make the cut right next to the line. Then you can clearly see that it goes straight.
- Don't push grinder against the workpiece, let grinder just lay on it. All you need to do is to guide it straight.
- When workpiece is placed below you pelvis / waist. Then you can clearly see the cutting line from above.
Also you can support your elbows against your body, and making straight cut comes easier.
- "Feel" the grinder. You can easily feel, and also hear, if grinder starts to stuck, that is what makes it to " jump ".
If you feel that grinder starts to make short " jumps " forward, then slowly release the pressure of it, by lifting it little higher and taking back little bit. Same thing, if you hear that grinders rpm is getting lower. That tells that friction is increasing and its possible that wheel stucks.
- Note. When you start to lift grinder higher. Hold it firmly, this is the spot where it usually jumps too. Section of the wheel that hits the workpiece changes its location at the moment when you lift it, stay focused.
4. Slowly cut deeper, by making groove little deeper making " sawing like " movement. Note: Keep pressure on only when moving grinder forward.
5. 933