Look up ABANA (Artist & Blacksmith Association of North America). They have chapters all over the continent. Blacksmithing has made a huge revival since its low point in the mid-20th century.

Drill a hole in the anvi, as a pritchell. Make a hold fast, and use that to secure the work for punching and slotting etc

@@AnyMotoUSA I don’t know why I keep forgetting about making one. I have it and a hardy hole on the new anvil I picked up.… I haven’t been able to use it in the last few weeks though. It’s nothing special just a harbor freight 60+/-lbs. anvil with a 3/4in. Hardy hole(I don’t remember the size of the pritchell hole). What a difference the anvil has made. Turns out the chunk of railroad track I had wasn’t the best of material. It ended up splitting down part of it. Once it warms up a bit, or I find a way to use the forge indoors I’ll get back at it.

@@JK-zq9vw i made mine out of 5/8 round mild steel. If you offset the shank slightly toward the holding end, it will set in nicely and snug with a good tap downwards. Get the work end orange hot and once the holding end is positioned, hammer it down to a flat foot shape. Might need a bit of tweaking of the hook angle to get it just right, but they are so handy. I agree, a purpose made anvil is so much better than a rr track. I think we all used one at some point, I started on one too and just couldn't get the material to move as efficiently as I could with a real anvil. I had a large piece of semi truck axle that I used for a while, and saved up for a decent anvil.

I believe (hope) you’re right. That anvil’s jumping all over the place. Those guys would be deaf in three days with the anvil ringing like that.