August 25, 200916 yr Anyone got an idea how I can re-face my old Anvil - its getting a bit worn down on the top face.
August 25, 200916 yr There are lots of ideas, some work, some don't, most are more work than they're worth unless you don't have an alternative. Refacing an anvil is one of the fastest ways to ruin one I know of. Sure, there are faster ways but few involve so much work. How much thickness is left on the face? Are you sure it needs repair? How about some pics so we can base opinions on evidence? Frosty
August 25, 200916 yr The traditional method was to dress the anvil and forge weld a new face on it. Takes a crew and some experience! If you look for Rob Gunter's anvil repair method on the web say www.cvbg.org/anvilrepair699.pdf for example he gives good instructions for building up using an arc welder with information on pre/post heat and the type of rod to be used (most welders guess wrong if they don't know about anvils)
August 25, 200916 yr Steam if you can show us a few photos we'll be better able to advise you. Surprisingly you don't want a pristine anvil when you're starting out -- until you get good hammer control it'll be a waste anyway. Arguably you don't want a perfectly flat, square-edged anvil at any time. As Thomas and Jerry have already pointed out the few various refacing techniques are somewhat involved and take a considerable amount of knowledge and skill. We are spoiled for choice for anvils in the UK so if you really need/want a better condition anvil it would be much cheaper to buy one.
August 26, 200916 yr Thanks for that link Thomas Powers very interesting and informative. I would of never guessed manganize rod for a build up. Drifter
August 26, 200916 yr Rob used to be the smith for Sandia National Labs doing all sorts of very high tech jobs and he really knows his stuff. He and his sons now run a blacksmithing school out here in NM, USA. (Rob is the guy who got me forging Titanium....)
October 29, 200916 yr ThomasPowers, thanks from me too for the link to the Gunter article. Concise, good info. Much appreciated. Thanks chad
October 29, 200916 yr Well if you are ever out this way SWABA has it's December meeting at the Gunter's blacksmithing school! I think they let us have it there so that they can use the drool to wash the floors...*nice* set up!
October 29, 200916 yr "A bit worn down"? You mean it's getting a nice "sweet spot". If it doesn't have chips or chunks out of it, leave it alone.
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