frankthetank

Actually, it was in the pritchel hole (I wrote hardie hole since I couldn't remember what the round hole was called) and it would swivel easily and was out of mild steel. So I guess I was halfway there. Good idea for the large base plate to distribute the impact. I'll probably be making both a real hardie type fuller and a spring one. With a nice base plate that won,t move around the anvil for those times where a lot of force will be needed. That is what really moves me about this hobby, you can do what ever you can think of. No constraints if not in a hurry. Nice way to slow down. I've edited my location as well. Thanks for all the replies.

Hello all, I,ve been slowly gathering tools (125 lb Peter Wright anvil found locally for cheap), small variety of old hammers and small sledges, and of course a home made forge. So far I,ve done a lot ox experimenting, smashing, discarding and a few for keeps items. I,ve tried heat treating and cracked my first piece too, then got a little better. I,ve read, practiced, read, etc,etc. Since you need to make tools to make other tools that make other tools, I sometimes use what I have, make do and plan for making the proper tool later. I don't plan on buying tools for the moment, as i really like to try to make them myself. I'm a pencil pusher by day so I need to get some creative juices going! I presently am a terrible hobby wannabe smith, but all in all, I am slowly getting better. My second pair of tongs is looking less dreadfull then the first one I made. As a manual background, I,ve always repaired stuff myself, small engines, bicycles, plumbing, etc. So I have good manual ability but no help on anything I try that is new (family of pencil pushers!) leading to my first question... I made a cutting hardie that works really well but don't yet have a proper fuller, which is easier to make! So in a few minutes, in one heat, i managed to take a small 1/2" rod and put a 90 degree bend onto it. I can then place it in the hardie hole (granted it moves around) and the length of it makes it so I can hit near the middle of the anvil. It worked well for what I needed to make this weekend. My question is: can i hit a red piece of iron over the fuller in that position? The order of parts are, from bottom to top: anvil, fuller, piece of steel, hammer hitting on steel. Might the fuller damage the anvil over time or is the red piece of steel really absorbing the full impact. I plan on making a proper fuller, however is it a general "no-no" to have a tool placed in the middle of the anvil, directly on the anvil. Is the only place to have tools sitting on your anvil at the hardie hole? Thanks for any help.