Dragons lair

Better? Probably. Easier? Not. Lets see 1" sq bar. Layout and center punch takes the same time. Light the forge,forge already lit. Heat bar, punch/drift hole.streighten/adjust hole. OR install drill bit,turn on,drill press,drill 6 perfectly streight holes in the same time True its not traditional, True there is material loss, However for me its easier and quicker. Ken

#1 would be a cast iron acorn table. #2 would be 1 1/2in thick aluminum plate. Don't have either in my shop but have used both. Need creative clamps for the alum but NO spatter sticking and NO warping no matter how hot you weld. Have warped a 5X5ft 5/8 top welding 500lb brush guards. Hope those days are past. Ken

In a pinch knock the flux off a stick rod wire brush or sand it a little and have at it. As to hardness it varies with the rod. Also there is underlay rod and surface rod. Some is abrasion resistant some is impact resisant. Ken PS like cast tig rod hard face tig rod is gonna cost ya big time.

Sounds like a lot of work and expense, Might it be cheaper and possibly safer to cut out a new one? Ken

One last note. you state "I am using black powder" What size? F,FF,FFF there is also a cannon size. I shoot FFF light loads in a .32 cal. I seem to recall F is used in shotguns and 50-69cal rifles. Ken

Once apon time long long ago. HS metal shop I built a sweet 12ga brass cannon.the pivot pins were drilled and tapped. Loaded it up powder wads and shot. Touched it off. Peppered everything in sight. Blew out one pin. 18 in barrel and base went obout 50yds up the neighbors driveway. Not knowing can do lots of damage. Have also seen a few BP barrels/breechs blown up. Yes you can over or under load powder. Be smart be safe. Ken

Amen Bentiron, At one time i had a 2 in 3X6 ft aluminum table top. It stayed flat. I have had 1/4in 3X3 ft tops welding aluminum tubing warp 6in in 6 mos. If you want a flat top table go with 2in alum or cast iron. An anvil with a 3/16 sway will yeild a streight blade IF you learn to use it. How large/streight were the anvils used to make the early katanas? Ken

understand this you can make all the parts anywhere in the world. Ship them to USA assemble them here and label them made in USA. Levis,John deere up to about 40hp, Case,cub cadet,RCA,curtis mathis the list goes on. One of GMs plans to reorganize was to build sub compacts overseas. Most automakers own large chunks of forign auto co. I will continue to buy the best value no matter where it comes from. Ken

Can I trade ya a 25+ yr old for yours? Great job young lady your dad did good too. Ken

US anvils are not the only ones markedin pounds. Swedish,some german, and english anvils were marked in lbs. Ken

If the flame cut isn't perfectly square they might have to take off a lot more than a 1/16Grant has it right unless it's saw cut it will be hard and nasty. If you think milling prices are high wait till you price surface grinding. I have to tell customers all the time I have to pay for the 50K in equipment How about 1% plus overhead plus my $100 per hr. We all would like to pay $1-2lb for a new anvil. I want a Anyang 20 for a grand. Not going to hold my breath for either. Best of luck. Ken

I agree with that. If I add up my shop time to weld and grind (won't even get into heat treat) to most of the great anvils advertised today. Might as well buy a new one. Great anvil minor chips. ( Half the face is gone)Only $4.50lb My H-Bs have been re horned and edges redone. Not for profit. 40hrs at $50-$100 per hour. No I do not advise or offer to fix yours. An unseen large anvil is worth nothing over scrap weight. Have seen too many rare blacksmiths anvils (rr track) rare hammers (cobblers) Rare tongs(fireplace) If it says blacksmiths its worth Mo Money. I would like to see who where and how old you are. Ken

When I lived in FL my property line was 700in in either direction. 700yds is over a third of a mile. Nice neighbor. Ken

I just checked my 3 units A very old Quincy a old sears and a recent DeVilbiss 6.5hp 60 gal. All have aluminum pipes. None have cooler fins. I did add a refrigerated dryer to the big one only beacuse I run a CNC plasma table with it. Ken

Cold forging is a blacksmiths ticket to the HOT ZONE (grin) Ken

I also have not one but two artist forges, Dennis is a great guy i look forward to riding over just to visit. Ken

your profile says student, beginning blacksmith, I think you are reaching too high. My 4 anvils total 325lbs. largest 142lbs smallest 35lbs have a 60 and 88lb also havent found anything I can't forge on those. Ken

Also bear in mind everyone is not the same. I have known more than one welder that welds without a shield(heavy plate with stick) Have done mig myself. Should everyone try it NOT. Have also known a few shooters 60+ with perfect hearing and a few 18+ that are always saying what? White canes, dual hearing aids are not macho. Ken

A large carriage bolt in the pritchel hole works fine and does't stick upvery far. Ken

Jack, Sure wish I could polish .375 down to .558(grin) Ken

Partnered up with a welder to run a custom M/C shop(1967) He wouldnt teach but only used a half a rod. After hours would weld? scrap together. Went back to electronics. In house shop electronics,welding,machining. Took over the machining then asked to weld thermocouples. Learned to weld micro stuff( inside a .010 tube) Went on to aircraft submarine and nuke plants. 20yrs doing aluminum furnature, Motion theaters, Kiddie rides. Earth mover parts. Now 7 yrs in my own shop. Have added CNC plasma and smithing. After 40+ yrs schooling is great IF you can find a good one. I have hired a lot of students over the yrs. Most had teachers that wern't worth it. (set up a mig by the book not by how it sounds/works) ( you have to see it to make the weld) ( you can only braze cast) Have had instructor/testers say " I never welded i was taught in school" ASK US I have never turned away a young un even if he/she plans to compete with me. I'll just add one more to the hose,drip,cold,hot thing. Will you stake your life on that weld some one else might have to. In closing I can stick,mig,tig and plasma weld with the best But ain't made a forge weld yet. Ken

Charlotte, Esab has a solid and a cored wire, Try a internet search for cast iron mig wire. several posts there. Be advised its like gold. one place has it at $95 lb 5 lb min. Ken

Have seen a few dogs made of cast iron and a few more from heavy rebar and mild steel Its a holddown not rocket part. Ken

Got about 30 spikes just sitting there. Think I could use them as collateral? HMMM thats about 150K. Ken

If you anchor it down the legs could be streight and it couldn't tip ken