plainoldjason

Thanks all, I definitely will be getting some sort of eye protection for IR. Here's a couple more questions: I read a post somewhere that mentioned IR coming from the hot metal too...is this also a hazard, or would I be safe if I looked at the workpiece using clear safety lenses? Also, does IR present a danger to bare skin like UV? I've gotten a decent sunburn while welding (UV) with short sleeves... Thanks again! -Jason

Sorry Thomas! Didn't mean to make you feel old man! Just tryin' to be polite...I'm new here and don't want to step on anyone's toes. Thanks to everyone for the great ideas and reasoning behind not using the lead...I like the silicone idea Peacock. Brianbrazealblacksmith, I haven't actually hammered on it yet, but that chain is through-bolted to the base and cinched down very tightly with lock nuts and washers...no matter how I twist and pull the anvil, it feels like a solid mount to the base and both the base and anvil move as one. I don't know if it will tend to loosen with use, but if it does I guess I'll have to go back to the drawing board. Nakedanvil, I hear your concerns about tripping over the legs - that is a concern of mine too. Having never forged anything, I don't know if they'll be a problem or not...I guess time will tell. I have stood near the anvil in several positions that I think I may use when hammering and they don't seem to be a problem. I've searched the web for good designs and the tripod with it's natural stability seemed like the best. A stump is not good for my application; since I'm in the military and I won't have a permanent shop for the foreseeable future I will have to roll this thing in and out of a shed for now...my whole setup is going to have to be somewhat portable. That's another reason I mounted the anvil with the chain and the bolts...I can easily separate the anvil from the stand and load them both in the back of my truck when it's time to move in a year. (But I've filed away your idea about a socket and post for when I do eventually have my dream shop!I think it has merit.) Right now I'm in the process of painting the stand and researching a design for a propane forge to build...hope to be fired up by next weekend or the week after at the latest! Thanks all, -Jason

Thanks again guys. Mr. Dean, if you don't mind me asking: Why would you shy away from the lead sheeting/flashing beneath the anvil? It seems like it would adequately cushion the anvil to help absorb some of the ring and it would add more mass beneath the anvil, which I've read is a good thing...what am I overlooking? The base of my anvil isn't perfectly flat so it rocks a little on two feet...Once I cinch down tight on the chain it doesn't move at all, but you can still see daylight under it. I had actually considered melting the lead (using adequate ventilation and respiratory protection, of course) to the base of the anvil and then using my curve-tooth file to make it sit perfectly flat and level. I'd be interested to see what others on IFI think of this idea... -Jason

Wow, thanks! Good to know about the hazards of IR. Mr. Powers, you're right, I was concerned about UV and hadn't even considered IR...I've been surfing the web and it's actually pretty difficult to find IR protective lenses. I prefer to wear safety goggles for some processes since they offer superior side-impact protection, but so far haven't found a goggle that offers adequate IR protection...other than the old style welding goggles and those are probably a shade 11 and not useful for forging. Any suggestions? Any other "hidden dangers" I should know about going into this?

So, I'm a newbie to smithing (Zero experience: still in the process of setting up my forge and anvil) and I want to make sure I educate myself thoroughly on forging safely before I ever fire up the forge for the first time. I've come across a couple of posts that mention using safety glasses that protect against UV rays from the forge AND coming off of the hot metal...I never considered that could be a danger. I've gotten a decent sunburn from welding in short sleeves and now I always wear leathers when welding, but I had no idea UV rays were a danger from the forge. I'm a big fan of PPE and I DO always wear safety glasses while working in the shop (hearing and respiratory protection too when appropriate). I guess now I'll have to buy new safety glasses and make sure they protect against UV radiation. Are there any other little-known dangers associated with blacksmithing that some of you who are more experienced would like to share to help keep me out of trouble? -Jason

Thanks for the compliments! I was planning on putting something under the anvil. I have read that lead flashing or sheet lead works good under the anvil to deaden the ring, so I was thinking of trying that....but they didn't have any at Home Depot today so I'll have to keep looking.

Hi all, I needed something to do this weekend, so I built a stand for my anvil. I think the traditional term is "raising" the anvil? ...so I guess I raised an anvil this weekend. I got a lot of my ideas from reading these forums, so thanks everyone! It took two easy days...4 hrs Sat and 6 hrs today. I purchased the steel at the "Bargain Barn" at the local steel yard for $75 and had a good bit left over for future projects. Probably could have got it a lot cheaper if I took my time and searched around longer. Combined, the welds took 17 sticks of E6011 welding rod. The Legs are filled with sand to add more mass and reduce vibrations. I drilled 3/8" holes in the feet to bolt to the floor of my future shop. I also welded a length of tubing between the back legs to allow me to move the whole thing using a dolly. I've primed it and plan on painting it bright red since that's what color paint I had on the shelf already, but I may change my mind...also I may add some loops around the base to hang hammers and tongs from in the future...or I may just make a stand alone tool rack so the hammer loops don't get in the way of forging. Now it's time to decide on a forge design and build that...something for next weekend! Soon it'll be time to pound some metal! What do you think?!

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a good plan, using the flap disc to smooth that area behind the horn shelf a bit. I may try to obtain a large chunk of steel to use if I find I need a perfectly smooth surface. Now to decide on a stand design, build my forge, find a good hammer and get started! :)

Thanks Mr. McPherson, I didn't see your post until after I'd already hit "Add Reply" on my last post... interesting to know that the swayback can actually be useful. I definitely don't want to do anything that would ruin this anvil and I figured grinding/welding was probably out of the question, but wanted to throw it out there to see what more experienced folks thought...thanks so much for the helpful info!

Oh yeah, forgot to say: It's 158 lbs. I weighed it. Any advice about whether I should try to dress/grind/hardface the face and horn? Will the swayback and dings in the face negatively affect the work I try to do on it? Here's a better pic of the top of the anvil...

Hi all, I'm brand new to IFI and I've always wanted to try my hand at Forging/Smithing. I'm interested in blacksmithing in general, but I'm especially interested in learning to make hand-made knives. Who knows what I'll be interested in five years from now, lol. I've been lugging my great-grandfathers anvil around for a couple decades and finally pulled it out of the shed and cleaned it up a bit. From what I've been able to determine by surfing the web it's a Wilkinson. I would like to use this anvil, but it's been in the family a long time and I don't want to do anything that would ruin it. I did use a flap-disc and sandpaper/wire brush to clean some rust off the face and horn. I'm going to attempt to attach a pic and would love to read any comments or suggestions anyone may have. I know this anvil is a little worn and swaybacked, but would I be ok using it or would I be better off keeping it for its family heirloom value and finding another anvil to work on? Oh yeah, I haven't built a forge yet and would like to keep it very simple since I'm in the military and move around every 3-4 years, any suggestions? I was thinking about making a small propane forge... Thanks in advance! -Jason