1aretea

No its not CNC cut, I cut it with a Carbon Arc gouging torch.

Its been a few weeks since I posted and I have made an anvil. I wont go into the details yet as I want to post pictures with it sitting on top of an Oak stump. I'm in Florida and I have an Oak stump, not to old and has some cracks from when it was recently cut. I have striped off the bark and it looks good. My anvil will be indoors (weld shop) and I want to presevre the wood. I will also wrap some flat stock around the top and bottom to pervent further cracking. What type of oil should I use, Linseed, Tung oil, etc.?

Try using Lincoln NR-211, it's flux core so no gas required. You can get at Tracor Supply, Home Depot, etc. Just follow the manufactor wire speed and voltage settings. Drag the gun at 60 degrees or so and let the wire stick out of the tip about a 1/2". Flux should peel off and the bead will be real smooth.

I know you are interested in a wire feed welder and they are easy to use but, I would recomend a Stick welder like a Lincoln 225. I had one and ran it of my dryer plug ( 30 amps 220volts) The reason I like a stick welder if you only can have one, this does a lot more that a wire feed machine. For example weld aluminum, cast iron, steel, stainless steel. You can even cut metal, gouge and pierce holes. Just by changing the rods.

Hello, I've been looking for used anvil but no luck. Don't want to pay new prices, either. I'm thinking about making one, with the thickest plate steel I can scrounge up. I like the Nimba style, probally 200 lbs. or so. Asseblying plans are to burn the plates to shape, nice deep bevel (for welding) and mill the surface to make flat for a tight fit. I will hard face the top and sides, not sure about the horn.? Any tips I need to know about and is Mangnese the proper rod for hard facing?

Guy's, thanks for the replys. I'll take the info and run with it! Already know where to get a chunck of steel to make my starter anvil and I'll cobble together a forge. Looks like this web site is packed with info.

Hello, a little info about me. I am a welder/fabricator since '93, started when I was in the U.S. Army as a "heavy equipment repairer". Ben in Florida since '99. In 2003 got fired and started my mobile welding service, was very busy during the housing market boom, last month I opened my weld shop, a little slow in the begining. Now I have the itch to learn Black Smithing. A lot of weld shops do hand railing, staircases, gazebos, etc. out of pipe, flat bar and square stock. Don't see much "Old School" fabrication, in the ornirmental iron works. I'm wanting to experiment with the trade and build a hand rail in front of the house, but I wont touch my welding equipment. I have watched many videos on You Tube, there are some good ones with a lot of info. In the begining I don't want to invest a lot money in the equipment, nor do I have much extra space in my little shop. Could I use a "Rose Bud" instead of the traditional furnace? Anvil's, cant find a used one, I'm wanting to make one, any info would be great!