artandsoul

Yes i dont know much about smithing for sure and def alot to learn like any skill. I see how anvils of different sizes and shapes can be handy for different things esp smaller stuff. Im gonna try and figure out how to mount the track vertical today. ill search on that awhile as I know NOT to ask simple questions as ill just get bashed by members saying use the search over and over lol.

Thanks for the replys and info! Looks like ill be mounting the track vertical and use it to start and save the vevor for larger things later on!

Thanks I have read it, many things can be used as an anvil dont mean there actually a great anvil ive seen a few nice large pieces of steel i cant get locally period. Then theres people using a sledge hammer head not a good anvil imo but thats me im to picky lol. But I did see there the rr track using it tall ways on edge I have a smaller piece I will mount that way for a small surface later and can see it working good. says nothing about new or older track thats been used, i have read that a new track is softer than old used track that has been runover for years making it much harder. i ground down the sides of this track very easily like butter seems soft but hey its better than a sledge hammer head. I guess i went overboard with the cheapo vevor wanting more weight and surface area. I go to 4 auctions a week and have asked everyone ever for 6 months yes even all the older hoarder guys who have 4 anvils they wont sell one ever till there dead lol just like any other piece of rusty metal they have period .Then 90% of people think yeah i have an anvil on the back of there 35lb vise or maybe a 1980s 40lb anvil thats from china painted silver its total trash they will sell me for 75.00.

Ive been looking for an anvil for about 6 months now and have bid on a few anvils recently at auction since none locally are ever less than 500.00. There was a fisher anvil around 70lbs that had one side really badly knocked off aka destroyed it went for 200.00. Then there was a 450lb anvil 34" long massive xxxxxxx that went for 1200.00 lol way out of my price range. Since im a newbie to forging I feel I was luck to already have a piece of railroad track about 16" long but still want a real anvil shape in the end. I put the track on a stand and hit it with the ball end of a cheapo harbor freight ballpeen hammer and it dented easily with a weak hit. I remember when i got it it was brand new never run over by a train and figure well its kinda soft in my mind and bought a vevor 88lb cheapo anvil on ebay for 115.00 last week hoping it will be harder than the track. maybe i did ok with the cheapo vevor maybe i didnt lol can always sell it for more locally but dont see me buying a 200.00 half gone fisher or a 1200.00 monster i cant move without a engine hoist either. I figure between the 2 ill be able to forge something in the next few months and not cost me a small fortune in anvils the end. I see many using railroad track and mine seems soft imo but maybe thats my inexperience in anvils being softer than expected compared to a cheap ballpeen hammer lol. Does anyone think the new rr track from the 90s is soft or im just thinking it is?! I know your not suppose to hit the anvil but xxx this thing seems really soft if it hit it with any hammer it dents easily.

Looking to find a decent apron for forging, grinding, welding etc. I bought the el cheapo 15.00 one from harbor freight and it works but looking for something more beefy soon for sure. I grinded for 2 hours today on a metal chop saw redo with a wire wheel and it def helped from getting wire hairs in my skin but figure ill be needing something better in the near future. Anyone know any amazon or ebay aprons worth buying thats not 100 bux? didnt know if i should stick with leather or some other non flammable material thats as good or stonger?! thanks

Hi all total newbie here near sumter south carolina looking to get into the world of forging, welding, blacksmithing etc and looking to get it on very soon. I've been into wood working, painting, guitar repair, art, mr diy fix it all for many years and always wanted to get into forging and welding for years. 'Ive finally took the leap into getting into forging the past month and have been watching u tube videos forever and reading lots of content here on the site .I like to research everything to death before jumping in and there's some great content here on the site I've been diving into for a week now. Just bought a mr volcano 2 for 85 on ebay last week figure its the same price as the singe burner so why not go dual burner and burn more money in propane lol. Also just got a century/lincoln 90 flux core welder for 50 bux brand new in box at a local auction hard to beat that price over the harbor freight flux core 125 when its 150 when on sale. I'm a total newbie to forging, welding, anything with hot metal but have had the itch for years. Yes i've seen all the forged in fires many times lol aka lets make a chopper out of trash usually and watched many u tube blacksmiths and knife makers for few years. I'm sure to ask tons of questions I cant readily find info on the site in search soon like today. Hopefully ill get some help here as the site seems like a good one thanks!