Would this work for an anvil?

G

glarmore

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Oct 7, 2006
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I have a harbor frieght cast iron anvil. When I bought it I knew nothing about anvils. But I was wondering if I could improve it by welding a spring tempered piece of 4140 to the top. I can get a 3/4" thick piece of 4140 from McMaster Carr large enough to cover the top for about $45.

I have a forge large enough to heat treat this. Would it work or will I be throwing $40 more into an ASO.:confused:

Thanks,

Glen
 
Won't welding ruin the HT on the 4140? I'm sure someone more qualified will come along and give you a more definate answer. Good luck!
 
I think I can take my time and keep the heat down. It will of course get hot right at the bottom edges where the two metals meet.
 
I don't have any specific experience with this, but it seems the hardest part would be joining the cast iron to the carbon steel.

The HF cast iron anvil weight in at 50 lbs as I recall. So you may be better served to attach the 3/4" plate to a mild steel block from a junkyard that weighs more than the anvil does.

for most work, the anvil doesn't have to be much bigger than the hammer.

So if you think you can lay a bead to join the cast iron to the steel that will stand up to heavy hammering then it should be ok.

I guess it would depend on your options for more mass under the 4140. the HF anvil may be your best option, but more mass directly under the plate would be better.
 
I've generally found that I regret attempting these types of projects, as I end up investing a lot of time and money, and later I want the real thing anyway. Instead of sinking $40 and several hours into what will end up being a so-so end result, you could try to locate a small antique anvil for around $100 or so. I go an 89 lb. Mousehole for that on Craigslist. Post an ad on Craigslist and in your local Pennysaver.

Have a good one,
Josh
 
JoshEarl said:
I've generally found that I regret attempting these types of projects, as I end up investing a lot of time and money, and later I want the real thing anyway. Instead of sinking $40 and several hours into what will end up being a so-so end result, you could try to locate a small antique anvil for around $100 or so. I go an 89 lb. Mousehole for that on Craigslist. Post an ad on Craigslist and in your local Pennysaver.

Have a good one,
Josh
Click to expand...
This is great advice, first word to last.
 
You may be right. I tend to throw money away trying to do it on the cheap and end up dissatisfied. I guess I will start looking on Craigslist. Not too many decent anvils showing up in my part of Fla.

Thanks,

Glen
 
I hear you Glen. Try living in West Texas :D. I looked for a long time for an anvil locally. Nothing. The ones farmers had were often beat to heck and back, and they still wouldn't sell 'em (not that I wanted them). Then there are the anvil "collectors" who have 15 of 'em sitting rusting around their property, but they wouldn't dare part with one. :rolleyes:

I finally found mine on ebay. I spotted it with a day and half left and no real bidding, so I got it for just at $2.00 a pound (148# Hay Budden). I did have to pay shipping, but even so, the price was around $2.60 a pound shipped.

That may be more anvil than you want or need, and you can get by with a ligher anvil, and you can probably find one cheaper per pound. But it's still a song compared to many new anvils selling at $6-$8 a pound.

Another option would be to keep an eye out for a length of 4x4" square stock and make a post anvill. They are very efficient as all the mass is directly under the hammer, and you can set them in a bucket of concrete or something like that. Very similar to japanese smithing anvils.

--nathan

--nathan
 
Cast iron is real hard to weld to i would use it for a boat ancher.
I have welded alot and cast iron is real hard to weld IMO.
 
There's an antique store, called Uncle Bill's I think, on Hwy 98 headed north out of Mobile. That shouldn't be too far of a drive from the Pensacola area, anyway, and he always has a couple of anvils for sale.
 
I'm always searching for a good anvil, and always trying to see an anvil in a hunk of steel. It's a fun way to pass the time.

Biggest thing, to my mind, is to remember that some really great works of art have been pounded out on things that don't look like the stereotypical anvil. Armor from the medieval period comes to mind.

Still, the best home-made anvil that I've seen was made from a forklift tine. Here's an example of one I found online.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/14852-forklift-anvil/

Considering that you only need a few square inches directly under the hammer, you could even stand the tine on end, burying the other in a bucket of cement.
 
Which anvil do you have, the 55 pounder or the 110 pounder? I picked up one of the 110 lb ones and it's not half bad for the price. Sure it's soft, but I understand it's cast steel. On-the-other-hand, I understand the 55 lb one is cast iron. There's a good rework how-to for the 110 lb one here, http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/products/ru_anvil/index.php.

detail_1.jpg
 
Glen, that antique store that Todd is talking about is in Simms, Ala.
But I have heard that he is a little pricey. If you go over there, let us know what he has and apro. cost.
I am over by Gulfport and didn't want to make that drive just yet. Jerry
 
Thanks for all the great advice. I have the 55 lb anvil from HF, so I will just use it to practice my hammer technique until I can get a better anvil. I will keep my eye on ebay. Matchless antiques usually has some.:thumbup:

Thanks,

Glen
 
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