Post anvil questions

Josh Rider

Josh Rider

Stuff maker
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
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I'm looking for steel for a post anvil.
Would a 5" square x 22" of A36 work well?
I know it's not heat treatable, but wouldn't that be enough mass underneath the hammer to hold up?
I don't have the resources to heat treat a large block of steel anyway.
Any other suggestions?
 
I don't think that would last very long.
A very nice one would be 4x4" or 5x5" in 1045 or better 4140. 4140 heated above transition temperature and end quenched would be great .Set in concretetolast.
Some of our members have some of those choices.
 
Josh,
Google Old World Anvils, they have a 4x4 anvil from 4140 and pretty reasonable price.
Your best bet might be the last one on their anvil link, the 4x4 Stake Anvil.
 
Last edited:
mitch4ging said:
Josh,
Google Old World Anvils, they have a 4x4 anvil from 4140 and pretty reasonable price.
Your best bet might be the last one on their anvil link, the 4x4 Stake Anvil.
Click to expand...


^^ I'd recommend them as well :thumbup:

On their website they only list the smaller 4"X4"X4" heat treated 4140 post/stake anvils.

However, if you email them and request it they will sell you one that is the same 4x4" face, but is 12" long. It's a good deal since they are fully heat treated 4140. I got one from them a couple years ago.


~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been a few years since my last upload)
 
Sure enough, they have two pieces of 4140 heat treated 11 1/2 or so long (whatever the max they could get in their oven)
 
I would take the mass of the larger A36 over the smaller anvil. You are primarily hitting hot steel which is so much softer than the hammer and anvil, It may ding and dent on the edges but overall you will be fine. When it gets too beat up just redress it with a flap wheel or grinding disk on an angle grinder.
 
There is no problem with mild steel. In fact a rather talatented blacksmith I fallow on YouTube uses a mild steel anvil for all his classes and striking. He forges hammers a lot and moves a lot more steel then most blade smiths. I would think a harder anvil would be more efficient but nothing wrong with mild steel. As blade smiths we don't need a lot of anvil face surface area. I'm actually thinking about putting togather another post anvil and using a forklift tine stood up and cut to the right height. Would give amazing amount of mass under the hammer and reduced surface area contact for quick drawing.
 
I agree, the right profile big chunk A36 can make a great anvil. All the better if its obtained scrap price or less.
 
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