Two Quick Questions re: Hardy Tools and Rusty Iron

[Truelove]

#1: I have a few hardy tools I'd like to use, but no plate or hardy hole the right size to stick'em in. Is there any reason -- except how hard it would be to get them out again -- not to drive them in to a (squared) hole in a log so I can enjoy them? Do I have to line the hole? What with? Should I just bite the bullet and buy one of those $78 cast plates off of Ebay?

#2: I've gotten some wrought iron rounds which look pretty on the inside, but ugly on the outside, much like me. Do I have to scrape it all off before forging or can I follow my natural lazy nature and pound it in during forging, knowing whatever I make is largely for my own amusement.

Thanks, in advance, for all answers, and for not shaking your head too forcefully at my foolishness.

 

[A C Richards]

Bite the bullet. $78 is a great deal. Check out craigs list in your area also. If you pound it into a log you will not get the best working rebound. Plus as you have already mentioned ti will be hard or impossible to get back out.

Are you sure it is wrought iron? If it is or even if it isn't rust will not effect forging. If it is wrought it needs to be forged hot or it will come apart. Hot as in 2250+f, heavy on the plus.

 

[Greg Obach]

you can alway make a plate... easy... just scribe your hardy hole on a piece of 1/4" plate ... chain drill as many holes as you need ... and cut the rest of the shape out with a sharp caping chisel n hammer.. ... then file it nice n square...
-- bolt it to your log, and use your hardy tools
save your money to buy some fuel and good carbon steels !

G

 

[Phil Dwyer]

What size is/are the hardy holes in your anvil(s)? Can't you either grind the foot/stem on you hardy tool to fit if it's too big? Or, shim/build up the foot if it's too small?

 

[Truelove]

The ones I'm most interested in using are 1/2 inch. My hardy hole is a very irregular 7/8, I'm afraid building it up is outside of my skill set. Making my own plate is a great idea, thanks Greg, I feel foolish that it wasn't my first thought.
Thanks, as always, for all replies and reads!

 

[Phil Dwyer]

I believe you'll find using your hardy more effective with more mass behind it when it's on your anvil rather than 1/4 of steel plate over wood. I bet if you found a piece of 3/4" angle iron you could cut and grind a couple of pieces to fit around the shank. Sometimes I've just made wedge shaped shims (like long thin door stoppers, even just out of hard wood) to wedge hardies into a hole.