Steeltoe762

I have recently aquired four 8" round pcs of 4140 about 2" thick and are 30lbs each. Im wantin to weld em togeather so I have 2 pairs and milling the features into both sides. Anyone have any advice on heat treating em?

I bought the same "anvil" a while back. It will work (mostly your arm) the horn is useless, the edges chip if you look at them wrong, the face dents unless you're around welding heat, about the only usefull thing on it is the hardie hole. A big block of mild steel would serve you much better.

Just need to attach the lip around the edge of the table and its done! :D

I'm currently in the process of building my own anvil. I just bought some 4"x4" blocks and a 3.375" dia round from work, all 1018 steel. I would eventually like to put a toolsteel face on it, I was thinking O1 .750"x4"x12", but I have a couple of concerns. If I heat treat the toolsteel first, then welding it on will likely soften it up, but if I attach it first, then its just too big to to heat. If anyone has a better idea I could sure use the help. My second question is how well will 1018 perform "as is", if i were to not attach a hard plate on top could I somehow just harden the edges with say a hardfacing welding rod? Finished weight will be somewhere between 120-140 lbs.

Thanks for the kind words. Just fired it up for the first time two hours ago. Still needs a tabletop and some minor adjustments, but it draws well so far.

Finally, after 7 months, I'm almost done.

Thanks. This is my first attempt at masonry work, and if I have my way I will never handle brick and mortar again. "Make one out of brick, can't be too hard" I said to myself, I had no idea what I was gettin in to. Almost done though, so I'll soon be back to working steel and enjoyin the results of all that frustrating filthy brickwork.

Just tryin to upload some pics

I just aquired an old Buffalo blower (the thin formed variety). It still works, but the brass bushings and shafts are a bit worn. When I turn the crank it gets to whirlin no problem, but as soon as I let go of the handle it shudders to a stop. I have taken it apart, thoroughly cleaned it, deburred the gears, and will grease heavily. My question; is there a way to tighten up the slop in the mechanisim w/o turning the shafts and replacing the bushings?

After 10 years im finally goin' back. They actually have a degree program at the community college here in art metals. Classes include: Metalsmithing, power hammer, metallurgy, tool making, etc. I knew they had a blacksmithing course, but had no idea it covered so much. I've been workin at it on my own for a little over a year now, and experience is a good teacher, but its all trial and error (error more often than not). Such a slow process. If any in here have taken similar classes what can I expect.

Ain't no better way to relax after a bad day then to light a fire, and take some agression out on some hot steel.:D