TexanRebel Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I am completely new to blacksmithing. I have read the info on this sight and some others, the only thing that I dont have is an anvil. I dont know of any junkyards within 60miles of where I live so no RR track anvil and I dont want to spend $1200 for one. I took an old vice clamp and sawed off part of it. I want to set it in a bucket of concrete to make about a 50# anvil. Will this work for small projects? Or will the concrete chip apart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 If the vise is cast, which is likely, it may chip on the edges. Wear eye protection. You might not need to go to a junkyard to find a suitable hunk of iron. Maybe try looking for local machine shops, or welding shops, or a metal supplier. Most of these places would have a hunk you could use I bet. Many people do set pieces of steel into a bucket of concrete like you suggest, I think that can be a reasonable approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W. Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I know that there are at least a couple of great associations in Texas. If we know where you are located, we may be able to send you in the right direction. Good luck, Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Actually there are 4 Blacksmith groups in TEXAS!! NTBA---Dallas area; HABA---Houston area/southeast Texas; Balcones Forge---Austin/San Antonio area/central Texas; 4StatesIronMunchers---Texarkana area/northeast area. All good groups with excellent smiths and all willing to help out newbies. I'm sure someone in one of these groups has an extra anvil that you could either purchase or loan til you find one. I have 2 that are available if you are interested and are in my area.... Oh yeah, Welcome to IFI!! Always good to have another TEXAN join!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Falcon 72 Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I'm north of Dallas. I have an extra you could borrow. Where are you? I doubt that a piece of steel set in concrete would last long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 if it's part of a vise it's very unlikely to be steel and as for cast iron ASO's well they are generally not well thought of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 If there's a truck shop close by see if they have a broken axle you can buy or have. Set on end, flange up it'll make a fine anvil. You may have to dress the face but that's just a little grinding. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexanRebel Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 I just filled in my location in the User CP as well as the other blanks. I am in the Valley View/Gainesville area for those that asked, I hope that's close. Thanks for the advice! I like the idea of setting it in concrete, because I can controll to some extent what its wheight will be. I'll look around for some machine shops and a friend of mine works in a weilding shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Falcon 72 Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I'm about 30 miles east of you in the Sherman/Denison area.. Send me a Private message and I'll help as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 A bucket of concrete is a good option if you take into account it's low threshold for impact. Weld a number of pieces of rebar (or whatever) to the sides so impact will be distributed throughout the concrete. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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