Anvil face Steel selection advice needed

[A C Richards]

Sam,

I am thinking the 6150 might be a bit more impact resistant. Other than that the rest are about the same. I am also for the dry welding. It does more than just make it easier. It makes for a much better weld. In making damascus it is very evident esp when doing mosaics. On a traditional flux weld the weld zones are very evident. They look like big valleys in the final billet. Where a dry weld is undiscernable. It also allows for a weld at lower temps. This in a large billet like that would be a huge benefit. It will also allow you to weld the chromium bearing faces allot better and easier. If you do not dry weld then go with a simple carbon steel.

 

[DoctaD]

Dean, There would be chatter, as well as separation over time, from the chatter too you would lose efficiency and the anvil would feel very dead. I have seen some anvils with forge welded faces on, where there was a cavity in the center of the face, about a 2" round spot, that must have not welded or had scale on it or something. You could tap all around it and would hear a nice clear ring but venture into that one spot and it would go clank. It was funny to work on you would hear "ting ting ting clank ting clank ting" hehe. Some people when building an anvil do away with the face plate and build up the face with hard facing rod, then mill or grind the surface flat.

Justin, If that's the only reason then i'll trust my welding ability (and sheer luck) and go with a couple tacks and a slow soak for the heat. It's only 1 3/4" x 5" and it'll have alot of mass.

Sam,
Thanks for the reply and info. I appreciate the patience with a noob.
Dean

 

[Sam Salvati]

Dean, no problem.