What's the best steel for homemade post anvils?

[boilermaker]

G'day all, I've tried searching using google (failed miserably) to find information on steel types used for post anvils. I actualy have a 140# piece of 4140 but my current circumstances make it impossible to heat treat this at the moment. I would like to get a smaller piece (50-70#) or less as an easier to heat treat and more portable option but am having trouble deciding on what grade of steel. I remember some old threads , maybe on this forum? suggesting H13? or i can get some 1045 (or something better?). any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. cheers:thumbup:

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I use a post anvil of 4140, un-heat treated. It works well for me. The anvil is a cylinder 8" in diameter, over a foot long set in a bucket of concrete.

Andy

 

[jsmart]

Most 4140 comes prehardened somewhere between 28 and 32HRC.It's not very hard but,depending on what you plan on hitting on it,it should be hard enough.

Justin

 

[Todd Robbins]

I have a chunk of 4140 that's 120 lbs. and not heat treated. It's about 4" x6" on the end and I mounted it end up in a bucket of cement, as well, and it works just fine. With the smaller working surface and practically all of the mass right under the hammer when you strike it works like a much larger anvil.

All I use my traditional anvil for anymore is straightening blades and some ornamental ironwork.

Todd