How to make an anvil

F

flatgrind8

Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Messages
49
Ok I know this has been asked a hundred times but I just got a set of fork truck forks and I need suggestion on making an anvil I have googled this but I want the advice of the forum members. Thank you for any and all ideas
 
I would take the heaviest piece and cut it off anvil length and taper one end for a face. Then, 2 of the net heaviest pieces for an base and spacer near the length of the face piece. Weigh the pieces. If not over 100# make an identical top piece and if necessary bottom piece, even a a second spacer piece. I would then weld the spacer(s) perpendicular to the base and then weld that to the face. I would uses very heavy welds. When welding on the face I would take my time so that the face never gets to hot. You could set the face n a shallow tub of water to keep it from over heating. If I used a doubled pieces I would grind a bevel the edges that would be welded and fill weld the resulting grooves. Clamp together and then put, a heavy tack on each end then a couple on each side. I would move around a bit as I welded to keep the weld stresses even. It would be best to preheat the pieces to around 450 before welding. Id I used a double spacer I would grind the top and bottom welds so that they were flat before welding to face and base pieces. If a double top I would grind the joining weld smooth. If the steel is about 3" wide and 2" thick and you doubled everything you would come out with an anvil in the 150# range. Unless they have to move it alot, I have never head of someone complaining their anvil was too heavy.

If your real ambitious you could lay out a 1" square towards the end of the face piece. then drill four 1/4" holes just inside the square, then drill a 1" hole in the center and finish it off with a die grinder and or files for a hardy hole. If doubling the top, just drill the bottom piece oversized in line with the face plate hole.
 
Last edited:
I've seen where folks make more of a knife makers anvil, the tines placed vertically so that the mass of the weight is under the hammer.
Two or three pieces thick with a final piece welded on flat for a top. If it's a thick enough tine one piece by its self can work.

Leadfoot
 
I have a bunch of forklift tine cut-offs...I've thought about making a post anvil, but already have 3 anvils and not enough space.... I think your design also will depend on the size of the tine... I have some 3"x9" pieces that weigh around 80#-120#. They'd work just fine as is stood on end in a piece of 10" pipe filled with concrete. If they're the smaller 1.5"x4" or so size I'd double them to 3"x8" and cut a small 6"-8" piece or so welded to the top for the face. Or, maybe even TIG weld the two together and call it good. As said above, be sure to preheat to 450 before welding. I think a post type anvil with all the mass under the hammer would be best.
 
Would it be, uh, feasable to try making something like this out of leaf spring? Orient it so the springs are vertical and then weld a face(s) on the top?

I can't seem to find any material like forklift tines; leaf spring only so far...
 
Back in the day I knew an old man that made an anvil out of a section of RR track.He used it for hot shoeing horses.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top