RR track anvil.... need some help please

A

Astygma

Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
17
I am a newbie to actual forging ( althoug I have wanted to all my life) My tool/materials budget is...... well nonexistant. I have a very nice section of rail that I was hoping to convert to an anvil, and would appreciate any advice,warnings or tips.

Also where does one scrounge HC steel?

Thanks for the help
Jeremy
 
Jeremy,
There are some links here that might be of help to you....and welcome to the forums.
Regards,
Greg

That server has been a little flaky lately; if the above link doesn't work try here.
 
Astygma said:
Also where does one scrounge HC steel?
Jeremy
Click to expand...

Go to a car scrap yard and get some broken leaf springs. They might charge you but it will only be a few $ especially if its broken then all you would pay is its scrap value, which is probably about 10c.
 
Have an acquaintance that makes knives and he's made some beauties out of lawn mower blades. Takes an amazingly nice polish btw.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! I'll move this thread to Shop Talk for you; that's where the knifemakers hang out.

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WOW Ripper, thanks for the link. It's gonna take a while to get throught that one. I see some of my Favorite stuff in there. :D :D :D
 
The track anvil will be fine, if all you're doing is blades, I think a 12"-24" long sections is plenty sufficient. Be sure to mount is sturdy, and don't go cutting the webbing out from under the rail to make it "look" like an anvil!

HC steel can be scrounged many places, for forging coil springs are good, as well as old files (newer ones can be case hardened, and worthless for these purposes) Lawnmower blades are a nvever ending debate, and I can tell you, not all are created equal. one thing about them though.. they're a little thin for forging.

Good luck, and try to find someone close who can help get you started, it will make the learning curve significantly shorter.

Tony
 
Thanks you guys!

you sure know how to make a fella feel welcome!

I have started my first blade and as soon as my wife relinquishes the camera for a few minutes I will post some pics for review.

if anyone knows any bladesmiths in Western Washington, maybe you could drop me a name.

Thanks again
Jeremy
 
Drill a couple of holes through the web and put a blot and nut through each.
Box frame the void and fill cavities with melted down tire weights. This will roughly double your anvil mass, remove the ringing, and make your rxr iron anvil more productive.
Many good blades have been made on rxr track anvils. I used one for years until something better became available. I would still use one if that is what I have on hand. It's not the anvil that makes the knife, it's the bladesmith.
Have fun.
 
Sweany said:
WOW Ripper, thanks for the link. It's gonna take a while to get throught that one. I see some of my Favorite stuff in there. :D :D :D
Click to expand...
You are welcome sir:)
 
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