matt87 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Why did or do they create cast iron anvils with steel faces? Seems like by the time you do all that work you might as well just pour steel. Especially with the fact that cast will never fetch as much. Is it just because the heat for cast iron is much less? Is that the only factor? Or is it also price of ore? all of the above? Steel used to be very expensive. Furthermore it was only discovered how to cast steel directly into a useable tool in (I think) the 20th Century; before that 'cast' steel was poured into ingots then forged to shape. So far as I know, no-one produces cast-iron anvils with steel faces (commercially). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmercier Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Fisher was the last to be casting iron anvils with steel faces, and they've been out of business for over 40 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Fisher was the last to be casting iron anvils with steel faces, and they've been out of business for over 40 years Fisher cast their last anvils in the Spring of 1961. Crossley took over at a foundry about one mile away and continued making Fisher anvils until December 1979. They had to discontinue using their iron furnace due to EPA and DEP regulations. I now own the rights and trademarks to Fisher & Norris. I obtained these in 1999 from the owner of Crossley Machine shop. I hope to have swage blocks cast using original Fisher patterns soon. I probably will not make any anvils due to the complexity of the casting/welding/heat treating process, unless I find a foundry that can do them in the proper steel. So in a way, Fisher is still alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 As late as the American Civil War Steel could cost as much as 5 times that of wrought iron much less cast iron which was cheaper still! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Fisher cast their last anvils in the Spring of 1961. Crossley took over at a foundry about one mile away and continued making Fisher anvils until December 1979. They had to discontinue using their iron furnace due to EPA and DEP regulations. I now own the rights and trademarks to Fisher & Norris. I obtained these in 1999 from the owner of Crossley Machine shop. I hope to have swage blocks cast using original Fisher patterns soon. I probably will not make any anvils due to the complexity of the casting/welding/heat treating process, unless I find a foundry that can do them in the proper steel. So in a way, Fisher is still alive. Holy crikey, amazing to be talking about this stuff and produce the owner himself. Very cool!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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