NickJ

So I tried all the barbell weights I could get my hands on and the centre holes were all too small unfortunately. So I ended up running 3 beads of 7024 around it and angled the weight up for a bit more clearance. I think I might smooth off the corners, so it looks a little better and might be a bit kinder if it comes into contact with my head. All that's left now is to wait for the anchors to dry then tighten, finish the stand painting and then heat treat the dies. Looks like it might squish some hot steel really soon after sitting around for a year and a half untouched. Nick.

Thanks for the replies! I do have some spare barbell weights laying about, I'll see if the centre hole is large enough.

Hi All, Just looking for a bit of advice. I picked up the below fly press last year and it is in great condition. the previous owner apparently bought it new and used it in his jewelry shop until he retired several years ago (hence the rust form it being stored semi-outside at his house). It is a John Heine Model 86A Series 2 (6 tons). There were only 2 issues, 1 being that it looks like someone squashed something with the ram poorly threaded in (see photo of how I collected it above). I have since carefully cleaned up these bottom 2-3 threads and now it screws right in like it should. The second is that it does not have the ball weight and they appear near impossible to find. I have bought a 6" dia x 6" piece of steel with the intention of getting a 1.25" hole drilled in it. Unfortunately I just received a cost from a local fabrication company of $140aud ($100us). I'm finding this a little steep, so I was thinking of maybe welding the weight on. Given this weight will be heavier that the original ball (especially given it doesn't have the 1.25" hole drilled through) I was thinking of slightly shortening the bar (i.e. a little shorter than where the rear of the ball weight would sit) and maybe cutting an angle so the leading edge of the weight is a little higher. The other option would be to flatten a 6" section of the bar and simply sit the weight on and then have 6" welds down each side. Does anyone foresee a problem with this? I will be using a stick welder with 6013 rods and could do multiple passes. Nick.

Hi Rojo, I don't have a ball bearing so I haven't done that test, however it does rebound a hammer well when lightly tapped. The positives at this point seem to be: -Easy to tie down with the 4 bolt holes. -Hardness appears correct when tested (with testing files). -Lots of mass under the commonly used area. -Easily cheaper than other options and still half the price of a near wrecked antique anvil here in Aus. Negatives: -The 'as cast' finish corrodes quickly. This is easily wire wheeled off but leaves discolouration. -Maybe not as attractive as some. -It took quite a while to flap disk the 'as cast' finish that was left on the horn. -The horn it quite blunt, however I have heard that some deliberately do this to avoid injury. -3/4" hardy hole. I could have waited for the new design with a 1", however I wanted it immediately. I am still very happy with the purchase (especially for the price) and the weight of the combined package is still moveable whilst being solid and not wandering. Nick.

Hey, Sorry for the slow reply. So I have only just been able to mount the anvil on the stand I made months ago. xxxx Covid lockdown meant I couldn't visit my parents farm where my forge is. The stand is 1" plate with 3x2x1/4" legs filled with sand. It weighs nearly as much as the anvil which seems to provide great support. It worked out to be good timing as I got to finish the rough forging of my first hammer on it. I want to say it's fantastic, however I haven't used any other anvils (just my big block of unhardened 4140). And of course pics.

Hi All, Here it is after cleaning up the horn and shelf with a flap disk. I still have a bit more to do (mostly smoothing the point), however that will be easier when the stand is finished and I'm not working on the ground. The steel has arrived for the stand, now I'm just waiting on a 16mm drill for the tie down bolt holes. Nick.

Hi JHCC, I just picked one up this afternoon and I decided on the 60kg (132lbs). Its currently sitting on my coffee table waiting for steel to arrive to build a stand. The purchase was fantastic, really great people to deal with and answered so many of my questions! I will give some feedback once I have used it a bit, however you can't go wrong for the price. This will be replacing my big lump of 4140 (unhardened), which will have its stand reduced in height to be a striking anvil. Nick.