Graham Gates(Ionic Muffin)

I took it to a machinist shop today and he shaved the face to a completely flat surface. I know i couldn't have done it myself because he had a huge metal lathe to do the work and even then it took about 45 mins. The outer 1/8" is about 60-65 Rockwell hardness and the inner stuff is around 50-60. Thats what the guy at the shop said, and he also told me that it has been induction hardened. He also said that the scrap price on this piece is around 150-200$ or more. Here is the anvil face, I'm probably going to sand it further unless it looks good but i can feel the small grooves. http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38246-smooth-anvil-face/

Ill have to try it as is, and if its too hard to work with then Ill make changes. Im excited to use this anvil because there is a ton of mass to it, so i imagine that my blows will be a bit more solid and the anvil wont bounce as i strike it.

Your probably right. I will likely acquire more anvils. For now though I'm sure it will be great. I was wondering, the face should be about 50-60 RC hardness right? I'm thinking about taking it to a local CnC shop that will flatten the face and could heat treat the face. Any ideas on a ballpark for price, I'm giving them a call tomorrow morning to find out exactly what ill have to pay but I don't imagine it costing a ton.

well, I went to the steel yard today. As i was poking around i saw this hunk of steel and at first thought it was just a pipe with one end covered since it was with a bunch of pipes. taking a second look and trying to lift it yielded a 120 lb steel bar about 36 inches long and 4" diameter. I found out from the guy cutting it that it was a hydraulic ram shaft or ram. It took him a lot longer than i thought to cut the end off it(around 15 mins) and he was going to cut it down to 30 inches but he just gave the rest of the bar (i payed for 104# already) and told me that it would take too long and his motor on the chop saw wouldn't hold up to cutting the bar. So i came home with the bar which i will have to make a support and also make a platform to stand on to make it level with my hand. I feel like this anvil will work very well and i probably wont ever need another. My reasoning behind getting this one and replacing the one i have is that it has a bigger face and is much heavier. And its also a very tough steel being a hydraulic ram shaft. http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38243-anvil-side/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38242-anvil-height-refrence/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38241-anvil-face-size/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38240-anvil-face/

thats a good idea, i think ill do that.

I've been wondering if its worth my time and money to weld a chunk of forklift tine to this anvil to make a greater striking surface and maybe add a horn and a hardie hole. I would gain square edges and the horn I'm sure would be nice, but I don't know if its worth the effort and if it will be effective. I'm just thinking ahead because although I don't need it now and may never need it, it still would be nice.

I have an interest in making most of what i use. hence the whole thread about making my own anvil, which i still would like to have a part in making an anvil i use maybe when im experience and have a team of blacksmiths, but i prefer to make my own stuff. There is a certain satisfaction in making something with your own two hands and knowing that it is much better than tongs made in China(not intending to be stereotypical) or what not.

Ok, So I've just started to get the hang of basic forging techniques like drawing and such. I am now thinking that i need a pair of tongs and some other tools like a round and flat die hammer that is a comfortable weight for me. I also know that I would need a drift and some other tools, what should I work towards in terms of tools? I don't have a huge surface anvil but just a 2.5 inch bar as an anvil face. I imagine that just means that its harder to make certain tools but still doable. Ideas?

I have not read that. Where can i find it? It is so efficient! It runs super hot, which is why im going to get some coal, because from my understanding, coal takes more air to get hot than charcoal.(keep burning my work...)

I'll post results of the second attempt when I get it done.

I just melted the blade while i was getting ready to heat treat it...

I'll post a picture of what it was with my finished product since I have to give it to him tomorrow.

So here is a project ive been working on. It is a straight razor for my friend whos birthday is coming up(sunday) I used a ratchet wrench as the metal and it seemed like it turned out pretty good. I still have a lot of file/sanding work to do on the blade and then there is sharpening... but all in all its looking like i wanted it to look!

Here is my anvil. Very high carbon, Took forever to cut the small portion on the top of it off. Should last me a while. http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38193-whole-anvil/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38192-anvil-face/

Ok, so the forge i was using which was a cast iron sink was working and even getting metal hot enough to melt. However, i was unable to position stock well and so i really needed a forge where i could get the positioning right. I also wanted to adapt the forge to a charcoal style so that fuel usage would be more efficient. I used some tile mortar and fire bricks to fill the inside with a 3/4" pipe and some 1/4" holes or maybe a bit smaller to air the charcoal. It seems like this set up will be very efficient seeing as the heat is held very well. http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38195-side-view-forge/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38194-forge-interior/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/38196-fan-system/