Matthew Paul

I just wanted to give you guys an update.

I took the 10 or 12" section of track that I had, and flattened the top surface. Then I polished it. I took eight mild steel 1/4" rod stock and welded braces from the bottom of the under cut on the top rail, the the outer edge of the lower part of the I beam. I'll see if I can get some pictures, It's not 100% done yet. But, I welded it to the upright rail that I had as the stand for my other anvil. This setup moves material with much less force. I no longer have to put huge amounts of force into each hammer swing, rather I let the weight of the hammer do a majority of the work.

The first thing I did on this setup was try a forge weld. I had never been successful with this and was actually looking for classes on it. Well, I got my first forge weld to fully take and made some pattern welded 5160 and mild steel, just to try it. I'm very happy with this setup, but will ether need to figure out a way to put a hardy hole in it, or just mount the cast anvil on another stand so I can use the hardy and horn on that.

Thank you again everyone for your help. It is very much appreciated. I'll post pictures when I can.

Thomans: that's really cool that you got him to be able to work. My hand and wrist are in supprisingly good shape, considering what happened. I made a pair of tongs with a lock on them. So i grab the material with teh tongs in my right hand, and lock them. My left hand has enough strength to support them while I work the piece. It seems to be working out well with the smaller material that I work with.

Randy,
I'm not sure how "bold" you are lookin for, but this would be inexpensive if it's good enough. I hammered out some 5160 and mild steel today, while playing around. Leaf springs don't cost much, and nether does mild steel. I etched it twice in hydrachloric acid for about 20 min each time.

Thank You

Thank you for the information everyone.

It seems like I should just make the top plate for the stand and use that for now, until I find a nice 100+ lb anvil.

Phil: It's sturdy. The anvil moves a little on the post if I really beat on it, But i'm going to fix that. -- Yes that's the anvil that I was talking about, also.
Drewed: I have used it like that, But I like the wider face of the anvil. I do have another 12" section of rail that I do use occasionally also.
Thomas, Rich, Tom, Fluid: Thank you for the information sir.
Stewart, I'm only 2 hours or so from you. We should see if we can meet up one day.

Here is what I have put together. This is the most "advanced" setup that I have so far.... I'm wondering if it's worth the money, and actually a worth upgrade to the 44lb anvil from old world anvils for this setup, or if I should save my coins for something else. This stand is fairly sturdy and movement is minimal. The 4x4s are lag bolted together through the 2x4s, and the rail section has a base and some bracing welded on. The stand is attached to the base with 8 long screws, which will be replaced with lag bolts, I just didn't have any left. The anvil is ratchet strapped to the upright. I plan on welding some 1/4" plate to the top so that I can actually bolt the anvil down - If I keep this setup, and it is worth it. It seemed like the 12" section of rail I have spiked into a small stump moves material almost as well as this one. is that becasue it is cast iron?

Here it is, many hours spent putting together this thing believe it or not...

I should put my location on here. I'm located in Orange County NY.

So I could use the 70# section of rail as the center post like I am now. But mount the better anvil on it and weld up a tripod supporting the post -- I would have a very sturdy 70+ lbs under the smaller steel anvil and it will perform like a much larger steel anvil and much better than the cast iron "anvil" that I have now?

I'll upload a picture of my current setup if that will help any.

And thank you for your help, Phil.

I've been hammering on steel for a year or so now, but never owned a true "anvil" I have used autobody dollys spiked into a stump, stump anvils, a 3" diameter slug of mild steel, RR track, and finally a 55lb china cast "anvil" mounted on top of a vertical 70# section of rail track. It works Ok I suppose. It was a gift from my father. But, I wouldn't really know what "ok" is, as I've never used a real anvil.

I do mostly knife making, some tool making(I would like to start doing more of this), and am looking to have a try at making small tomahawks hammers and hatchets.

My question is, would a smaller, 40-60lb steel anvil move metal noticeably better than the cast one that I am using now? I have looked for ~100# anvils locally and the prices are unreal, and the shape of them are marginal at best. I can not afford a new larger anvil ether.

I've been looking at the smaller Austrian from Old World Anvils. Basicly what I'm getting at is -- the 44lb anvil from oldworld is the most that I can afford. Do you think that it would be wise to purchase this, or use what I have for a year or so until I can afford something larger.

I apologize if this seems to be an ignorant question, but I really don't have much experience.

Also, I can not do too heavy of work, and probably won't be able to for a long while. Reason being: I almost lost my left hand to an axe 3 months ago.....

Thank you for your patience and knowledge in advance.

-Matt

Haha, Ive seen some people use that. I'll have to give it a shot and see how it works out for me. Thanks for the info.

Very nice. No rivets though? What adhesive do you use that is strong enough. I have not found one yet, that's the only reason I'm asking. I sure would like to have something that good to use Nice work too.

Thank you, Will do. Ashoken is close to me.

Matt,

Welcome to IFI. Nice knives.

Mark <><

Where in NY? Its a big place.

Hello, new guy here... I just wanted to post some of the knives that I made last week. I don't have pictures of a few and there are a few more that are works in progress. Most are 1080 or 5160, one is O1

Thanks for looking, and let me know what you think, if you could.

-Matt

(Mods, If I need to edit the MP knives from the pictures, that is fine, I can do that)

I just wanted to intorduce myself and say hello.

I started working metal weith a hammer about a year ago and mostly make knives.
I really enjoy blacksmithing, although I wouldent consider myself a blacksmith. I'm always looking for information, and new ideas.

I'm looking foreword to meeting you all.

-Matt

Here are a small look at some knives that Ive hammered out.