Anvil

panch0

panch0

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
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Hey guys, I came across a homemade anvil like object made by Tim Lively. I was thinking of using 4140 for the square bar. Will this steel work and what RC hardness is recommended? I was thinking of making one of these to learn how to forge. I know there is better but I am probably the brokest fool south of San Antonio.:o Thanks.

-frank

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Hey frank,

I'm pretty sure these guys use about anything (mild steel) for this sort of setup. Of course it won't rebound like a 300 lb Fisher, but it should get you started.
 
Are you going to start forging soon, Frank? It's a lot of fun, although I haven't been doing any lately for some reason. I was going to start with a setup like that myself, but I ran across a great deal on a decent anvil before I ran across a suitable chunk-o-steel.

What do you have planned for a forge?
 
I will be looking into a propane forge of some sorts. I read a post here about a guy who sells them on the bay for two or three hundred dollars. I just want to start getting the tools needed and read all I can about it. There are no blade smiths within reasonable driving distance from my home, so this and the library will be my source of info.
 
If you build your own forge you'll be way ahead. Check out Ellis Custom Knife Works for components.
 
A bernzomatic torch or harbor freight weed burner and a coffee can lined with Kaowool/satanite is cheap and will do a lot of good work for you. Darren Ellis is a good guy to buy this stuff from.
 
Bernz-o-matic and a couple of soft (2300-2400F) fire bricks is about as cheap as it gets. Fine for blades to 5-7", forging, normalizing, heating to quench.

Mike

Edit: You could do an anvil similar to the one pictured with a sono-tube... weld rebar to the block and pour... or if you've got a serious junk yard nearby, look for broken fork off a lift or loader.
 
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I'd stay away from the Bay for forges. I paid around 450.00 for one, used it for about 1 hour, and the top refractory cracked in about a dozen places. :grumpy:
Bad cold spots, too.
 
The first knife I forged was done on the concrete floor in my garage. It worked , but it did cause the moisture in the concrete to explode.

Almost anything can be used for an anvil.

If you have a junkyard within reasonable distance , you might find a gem.
 
I picked up two pieces of 4140 from a local steel supply yard. I built a Lively style bucket anvil using one of them. The steel is 8" in diameter by 12" long. It has done well for me so far.

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The forge is also a Lively design using an electric blower rather than hand cranked.

Andy
 
I picked up two pieces of 4140 from a local steel supply yard. I built a Lively style bucket anvil using one of them. The steel is 8" in diameter by 12" long. It has done well for me so far
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i would like to hear more about how this is done or see a link provided. that would be great! thanks
 
panch0 said:
Andy, did you HT the 4140 before use?
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hey pancho, that 4140, will work fine as is, of course over time it'll wear more than if not heat treated, but heck buy that time , you'll have out grown it anyway, and get that hammering itch....and go drop some more cash on a new one.


hey why not train rail...?? lots of guys I know started, and still do use them, some even modify to have a horn, and hard face them...one idea.

good luck
 
By hard face you mean weld a piece of hardend steel on the face or ht the face of the rail? There are a few on the bay when I typed rail road anvil. I wonder if these are worth the trouble? I know buying stuff off ebay is not recommended. I stopped by a few scrap yards today and asked for, forklift fork, train rail, square steel and etc... with no luck yet but will be out lookin. Guys I can't thank you all enough.

-frank

i would like to hear more about how this is done or see a link provided. that would be great! thanks
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Here is a link that Tim Lively sent me yesterday.
http://64.176.180.203/homemadeanvils.htm
 
I meant weld on then surface grind, but I know alot of smiths that just use the rail as it, once you get a feel for things then move onto something more permenant, hell if ya was close enough, i'd give ya a real nice one.

i think my first anvil was an elevator weight, about 50#'s on a 2x10'' board, .......almost embarassed to say, but i actually had to kneel down to hammer.....aint that what the japaneese do???

anyway, keep things simple and cost efficient until your confident in your abilities, then if you want you can always upgrade. just my .02, but then im sure you'll have a thousand differing opinions....later
 
I use an anvil I made from railroad iron. I took an 8' piece and cut about a foot and a half off for the anvil. I took the remainder and cut it in half, then welded them together base to base. I then concreted them in the ground standing up and welded the foot and a half piece on top. It is solid and weighs around 200 lbs.
just my .02 cents.
 
oh yeah, i forgot , you may have trouble finding rail at a scrap yard, as it's illegeal for them to take railroad scrap......trust me i tried:p;):D

hey if ya want ill give ya one of the ones i have. the shipping should be less than $25 or less, it's light, but will serve the purpose till you get what you want , but thats money wasted if you can find one free.
 
atakach, dude!!!!! I'll shell out the shipping with no problem. Let me know. Just rub off some of those skills of yours off on it so as to gime sum o dat!
 
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