ideas for a holdfast

[Uncle Levi]

I need to build a holdfast(something to hold my piece against my anvil while I cut or fuller or punch it) and I'm wondering what the rest of you use or have made. Thanks fotr the inputs.

[irnsrgn]

http://www.iforgeiron.com/Blueprints..._Hold_Down.htm

http://www.iforgeiron.com/Tools/Anvi...ld%20Downs.htm

[Uncle Levi]

Thanks Irnsrgn. Those are some ideas I can use!

[Pat Roy]

I took a length of chain and attached an old horshoe to one end. I lag bolted the free end of the chain to my anvil stump and throw the chain over the anvil and step on the horshoe to add tension. Now I've bought a larger anvil and will have to make a length adjustment, but no big deal.

[Glenn]

This is a photo that Hofi sent into the gallery showing a hold fast.

[Nolano]

I make my holddown tool out of a piece of coil spring just smaller than the pritchel hole, then I flatten one end, and shape it depending on what its supposed to hold, and bend it. I dont have a pic, and Im trying to think of how I would describer the shape. Maybe like this, kind of:
.. _
_/ |
... |

Yeah, thats about the best I can give you right now.
(ignore the dots, they are just there to get the spacing right.)
Oh, and you may need to do some grinding on the straight part to get it to bind right. Just hit it downwards to hold, then hit it on the back to release.

[Rick Barter]

Originally Posted by Glenn

This is a photo that Hofi sent into the gallery showing a hold fast.

How is it holding it down? I see one end, but not the other. I'm having a hard time visualizing how it works.

rvb

[Hofi]

The Chain ''fast Hold '' is simple. On the other side of each chain there is a weight that is hanging free in the air and holds down the steel.
Hofi

[Rick Barter]

Thank you for the explanation, Uri.

[ApprenticeMan]

Looks like your hand is right on the hot steel Mr. Hofi. Cool picture though, is that 2 inch square bar?