warming anvils

[samw1]

whats with warming anvils

[Archie Zietman]

If they're cold, then they will suck the heat out of your workpiece very quickly, making your work very inneficient until the anvil finally warms up (which can take a while, especially with smaller pieces).

be merry,
Archie

[ericthered]

What is the best way to warm an anvil?

[Pault17]

I put a piece of steel plate in my gas forge and let it heat up while the forge heats up. when the plate is orange, I just lay it on my anvil face. I have also found that leaving a piece of thin plate (1/4 inch or so) in the forge helps heat pieces faster. at least it seems that way.

[orgtwister]

there are several ways people do it some heat thick blocks of steel and set them on the anvil to warm some use a magnetic block heater (for trucks in the winter ) the one i have is a kats 1500 watt also it a good idea to warm them as i have heard of and seen the aftermath some of the older anvil were they have the heel broken in the cold wether when struck cold i beleave its happens mostly with the cast ones but not sure

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by ericthered

What is the best way to warm an anvil?

Build a heated building around the anvil. Good for the smith too.

Anvil Heater
A search of IForgeIron found this information.

[ThomasPowers]

The *best* way is to heat your smithy so the anvil doesn't get cold.

Now there are a lot of good ways depending on your setup; Some folks like to use an old electric iron or two to warm up the anvil. When I worked with the swordmaker we would hang paint cans from the heel and horn of his 400# anvil and build small wood fires in them to warm it up. Some people take the anvil inside the house and only bring it out when they will be working.

[caver95]

Originally Posted by Glenn

Build a heated building around the anvil. Good for the smith too.

Anvil Heater
A search of IForgeIron found this information.

I like this Idea the best. now just to get enough cash for the building, I might work a power hammer in the building cost to present to the boss for final approval.

[Frosty]

I'll use either my propane weed burner or heat heavy pieces in the forge and lay them on the face. I would much prefer heated building though.

I can just imagine Deb's reaction to bringing one of the anvils into the house on a cold night. I'd probably get to share a blanket with it. I kind of doubt the blind border collie would enjoy his game of fetch as much is one of the surprise obstacles in his path were an anvil.

The magnetic engine heaters I have don't do much for the anvils but they do help keep the propane from freezing up. Normally it isn't an issue with a 100lb tank but it gets pretty cold here and doesn't take much evaporation to kick it over the edge.

Frosty

[Woodeye]

I built a box from half inch foil covered insulation board large enough to slip down over my anvil and stump with plenty of room to spare. I then wired two porcelain light fixtures which now hold 100 watt bulbs.

This set-up works great to gently and evenly heat the anvil and anything else in the box - anvil tools, hammers, lunch whatever. I turn it on in the early morning when I let the dogs out and it can get the anvil to 50 degress F in a couple hours and much much warmer given more time.

I'll try to post some photos tonight if anyone is interested.

Woodeye