Editing Anvil (section)

==Placement==
[[File:Craft blacksmiths anvil at Anson 6002.JPG|thumb|left|Blacksmith's anvil mounted on a log]]
The anvil is placed as near to the forge as is convenient, generally no more than one step from the forge to prevent heat loss in the work piece. 
An anvil needs to be placed upon a sturdy base made from an impact and fire resistant material. Common methods of attaching an anvil are spikes, chains, steel or iron straps, clips, bolts where there are holes provided, and cables. 

The most common base traditionally was a hard wood log or large timber buried several feet into the floor of the forge shop. In the industrial era, cast iron bases became available.  They had the advantage of adding additional weight to the anvil, making it more stable.  These bases are highly sought after by collectors today.  When concrete became widely available, there was a trend to make steel reinforced anvil bases by some smiths, though this practice has largely been abandoned.  In more modern times, anvils have been placed upon bases fabricated from steel, often a short thick section of a large [[I-beam]].  In addition, bases have been made from dimensional lumber bolted together to form a large block or steel drums full of oil-saturated sand to provide a damping effect.  In recent times, tripod bases of fabricated steel have become popular.