You could also use leather. Perhaps and old belt?
Rob, the anvil base is made of 2x6’s? Is there a cavity inside where
you could pour cement for more sound dampening?
Also, does it seem realistic to somehow secure big mandrels like you
do on the bench?
The draw bench looks great, did you fabricate it?
So many questions, appreciate all the help…
Rob, the ‘stump’ in your shop looks like it is made of 2"x 12" and
2"x6" lumber. Is it hollow in the centre? I like the pvc for holding
tools, I use it for several things in my studio as well. It works
perfecting for sorting glass rods too. 
There is a cavity and I intended to fill it with cement but haven’t
found the need to. I place my mandrel over my bench pin when I need
to. I do plan to make a cradle for it to more easily secure a
bracelet to set stones. The draw bench is fabricated from a section
of 2X6 lumber, boat trailer winch, a couple of pieces of rigid PVC
as draw plate stops and a pair of draw pliers. All fabricated for
well less than $100. The most expensive part was the pliers. Shop
well for them and make sure that you buy a large ring if it doesn’t
come with the pliers. You can buy the rings at Tandy Leather. I
bought the winch on Amazon. This was a fun project and I use the
bench all the time. Rob
Rob Meixner
It worked out that four pieces of 2X6 in a boxed column has the same
outside dimension as the base of my anvil. The inside is hollow. I
had planned to add weight, but it isn’t necessary. One of the many
uses I have for PVC pipe is to make separate containers for different
saw blades. They are a little longer than the blade with a fixed
glued cap on one end and a removable one on the other. I write the
blade number on the side of the pipe with a sharpie (something else
that I wouldn’t be without). Rob
Rob Meixner
I used my brothers stump design to support my small rolling mill. I
made some small changes in the design. A Flat platform base as well
as the feet. The difference in my application is I used 3/4"
plywood, mostly because I had it and no other reason I can think of.
There is a significant interior cavity which I filled with a plastic
bag and concrete. The concrete goes up to just less than half the
height of the column and it is pretty stable. It slides out of the
way well and with a small amount of care isn’t tippy.
Re PVC pipes for holding glass rods, etc., do you create a bottom
for the tubing? and if so, how?
Noralie
I’m beginning to get the idea that I’m the only one who actually
uses a stump in my shop. Surely, this can’t be the case"or am Ithat
nuch behind the times?
Jim
Blessed be…
-For storing glass rods, (or other long items), buy an end cap for
the PVC. I put a cross hatch of Teflon tape -over the end for a snug
fit instead of gluing it in place so I can clean it out because I
put a piece of Styrofoam in the bottom to cushion the glass. I plan
on threading the pvc pipe and cap but just need to get ambition to do
it. 
As far as an actual tree stump in the studio, I have two that are
different heights (20" and 36") as well as a couple of slabs (4"
thick) that I use every now and then. They are reclaimed oak and
maple from our woodlots and they give me a lot of inspiration.
Hi. 4 4x4’s with a plywood bottom and top. Run big bolts through all
over. Then stick a great big red vise on top! You wrap you knees
around it and setstones or put different anvils in the jaws and do
all type of everything. Never breaks down.
Have fun
Bruce
Hi Jim
I have had a tree stump in my studio for over 10 yrs.
Recently I replaced it with one that I built out of 2 x 12 lumber
with 3/4 inch plywood on the top.
I’ve attached a photo, from when it was new. It looks a bit rougher
today as it has been used extensively.
I like the man made one better than the stump as it is much more
versatile since it has two working surfaces at different levels, one
that I use standing and the other when sitting.
Regards
Milt
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Milt,
That is a sweet setup! Would love to see more pictures of your shop!
Lots of good advice on the fabricated stump. Thanks to everyone!
Some questions about some of the ideas.
I'm beginning to get the idea that I'm the only one who actually uses a stump in my shop. Surely, this can't be the case" or am I that much behind the times?
I used a real stump while training, which really works for many
reasons. But finding one is another story.
Hi. 4 4x4's with a plywood bottom and top. Run big bolts through all over.
Wondering how the bolts are used? Makes sense to put a vice on a
stump for mandrels. May wind up with a base big enough for the big
anvil and a vice somehow.
I plan on threading the pvc pipe and cap but just need to get ambition to do it.
Can PVC be threaded with some tool? I use small PVC tubes with cap
glued on one end for sawblades, which seems to work pretty well.
Also good advice on wire straightening. Several methods are worth
trying, it seems. But it does seem clear that the wire needs to be
annealed, even heated during the straightening process. I need to
figure out how to hang wire from a vice and heat it without burning
up the bench. Maybe the new vice on a stump will allow that.
Thanks for all the help,
jrnewton
http://www.ganoksin.com/ftp/FormingStationMFischbein.jpg
That is absolutely fantastic!
PVC pipe can be threaded you just need patience and a good tap and
die set. Or you could buy some that’s already done but it is
expensive.
+1 on the human-made stump. That’s a sweet set up. Although I am
about to have a large tree removed that is too close to my house and
may have them cut me a nice stump since that will be virtually no
extra cost.
Question please: Where do all of you fine people go about finding
those railroad track pieces as anvils? How in the world does one go
about even trying to track one down? I would very much like one but
have no idea where to look. I’d imagine that these were found years
back because even steel is sent in for scrap now. So maybe it can’t
be found today?
Anyways, nice set up!
Hi Richard,
My husband and I bought an old farmhouse and there was a piece of
old rail in the garage. Who’dathunkit? The fact that it was there had
no bearing on the house purchase - hadn’t seen it before we signed on
the dotted line.
Barbara on a day in the east when what we hope is the last blizzard
of the year is expected. Record snowbanks.
Richard I found a nice piece walking the old NYC track between
Jordan and Weedsport NY. Seemed the obvious thing to do.
Don