Finally got an anvil

Rick Lowe

Rick Lowe

Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,331
Got the chunk of steel last Friday and thought about what everybody had to say about set up. Decided this was the best. Total cost $80, total time 4 1/2hrs. including draw filing the face to level. With the steel being 150lbs. and 60lbs. of sand in the bucket there is a good bit of mass to work on. It's really stable, yet easy to move on the castor wheels. Thought this might give guys some ideas of what can be done without spending a lot of money.
Rick
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Coool!! Does the casters lock??? If you put cement instead of sand in the bucket that sucker will never move in the bucket.
 
It's got one locking castor to keep it still. The cement was a choice, but I wanted to make it portable. The steel doesn't move a bit in the sand.
Rick
 
Nice looking homemade setup. Wayne Goddard would be proud of you. What are the dimensions of your anvile face?
 
Rick,
Don't leave your anvil/bucket out in direct sunlight all the time or your sand will get loose (the plastic will degrade and split). I'll have to send you a picture of "Lil' Debbie" sometime, might look somewhat familiar. Looks more than servicable to me.
I see scale on the surface. Go to it!
Carl Rex
 
Way to go! I am a big fan of not spending more than I need to. I have a 300lb anvil and thats about how much of the face I actually use. I got a really good deal on it and couldn't resist, but to be totally honest, the horn comes up too close to the face for me to forge over that end (no room for fingers...) . Your design looks much more practical. Good Job!
Ed
 
I've got a couple of questions here.

1. Where did you get that hunk of steel?:thumbup:

2. Tell me more about that forge you got on the table behind the anvil. Is that mapp gas feeding it? How many fire bricks are there wired together? Did you line the inside with anything? Is it only open on one end?

Sweet setup. I'm looking to learn to forge, but also to stay cheap. I like small knives best anyway. Except for really big knives that is...:D
 
I found the steel in a metal junk yard in Asheville, NC (I live close to Asheville). Had to do some walking and searching, but found several that might have worked. This one was the biggest and the longer shape was better. Lots of scrap yards may have real "finds" if you get in there and dig. The "one brick forge" is straight out of Wayne Goddards book. One brick, unlined, wired together for strength. The torch is from WalMart. I had a little gas left in the Mapp tank so used it up. I normally use propane and think it's just as good. The Mapp burns somewhat hotter than propane, but not enough to make up price difference. Also seemed to want to burn the end of the torch. Propane brings a blade to critical in about 3 min. Getting to forging temp is just a bit longer. I've done a couple of 6" blades with no problem, but usually work 3" to 5" blades.
Rick
 
Hey Andy,
Glad to hear you're inerested in bladesmithing. Being that your are in Hotlanta,
you have the opportunity toward the end of this month and next (March) to visit with and talk to several bladesmiths from both Georgia and the rest of the SE.
Both events are basically free except for your travel expenses and a nominal lunch.
Feb. 23rd. is the winter meeting of the Georgia Custom Knifemaker's Guild. It will be held in Statesboro at the Twinblades Knife Shop. I know it's quite a drive but you will get to meet and talk to some of the best custom makers there are anywhere, both stock-removal and forgers. Don't feel that you'd be overwhelmed we have active members at all levels of skill and talent. We meet to help and share with each other. Details of this and all GCKG meetings and events can be found at www.georgiaknifemakersguild.com. I can provide details if you can't find them there or want more information. There will be both forging and grinding demos as well as plenty of tech. talk. Come on down as my guest and I'll make sure you get introduced around.

The weekend of March 25th is the Spring Trackrock Hammer-in up in Blairsville, GA. There is a "sticky" thread on this forum at the top of the page courtesy of my buddy Mark. I will be providing more information as time shortens. This event is open to anyone interested in bladesmithing, although participation is recommended it is optional. Bladesmiths from all over attend this gathering (we even let a few come from Alabama). You are most welcome to attend. Rick will be there and maybe he'll bring his setup for show and tell. I know he'll bring some of his beautiful knives. We may even have a special guest from Switzerland this time. I'll garuntee you won't regret coming.

I also have impromtu mini-hammer-in sessions at my place from time to time as weather and life permit. There are several folks in the metro area that like to forge and make knives. You can private message or email me if you like, my address is on the GCKG website.
Carl Rechsteiner
 
I love BF. Last week Kricket contacted me and said he'd show me some things. Unfortunately I got sick and couldn't go. I'll get down there soon though. Then you post this. You guys are the best. Hey I can't make it down to Statesville. I'd love to, but its just not gonna happen. I may be able to make Blairsville. Pretty drive too. I'll discuss it with my wife (boss).:D

Rick, You found a hunk of solid steel of that shape in a scrap yard. Wow. What was it originally used for? What did it cost you? (If you don't mind) Where can I get those fire bricks?

Hey guys I sure appreciate all your patience here.:thumbup:
 
Yeah, found that laying in the mud. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good! Don't have any idea of it's original use. It still had part of the shipping label on it. There were several other pieces, but they were more square than the long rectangle. You can get the fire bricks from Darren Ellis or check a local ceramic supply house. Oh, the steel cost me $.18/lb for a total of $27 plus tax. Try to make Track Rock, it's great!
Rick
 
Andy,
What side of Atlanta? There's probably a knifemaker just around the corner no matter where. we're hiding all over the place sort of like "Where's Waldo".
 
Looks a little like what I did. I found a piece of steel at a metal junkyard near Cartersville Ga. and welded it to the top of a cheap 110 lb. China anvil. I got the anvil for $49 at the tool store just across the street from Smokey Mountain Knife Works in Tn.

I was told that the piece of steel is a counter-weight for something like a front-end loader. It measures 8" by 13 1/2" and is almost 4" thick. It weights around 100 lbs.

By the way, crex has taught me everything I know. I can't thank him enough. :thumbup:

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hcambron, If you put that on a sturdier base (ie one with less bounce), you'll experience a dramatic inprovement in the its performance. I've used that same set up. You can build a base out of scrap 2x4, 2x6 or whatever.Just alternate directions with each layer. It really makes a difference.
Ed
 
I'm in Buford Georgia. I'm having MAJOR problems finding a scrapyard to dig around in. I've called 20 places, and they recycle, but don't sell to the public, or have some other excuse. They've all given me names and numbers to call, but none of them have panned out either. Where are all the good scrapyards?????????
 
APROY1101,
Get a hold of CREX by email through GA. Knife Maker's Guild. Carl is close to Atlanta and may be able to direct you. He's a heckuva guy and has helped a bunch of us.
Rick
 
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