JNewman Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 If you don't have an old axle, I just called and 12" of 1 1/4" 4140 is $7.40. That is buying just 12" at a small supplier. That would give enough for a hot cut a cold cut and a small hammer or hot set. For an extra couple of dollars they would even cut it into the lengths you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Worked a treat! A little noisy as it sounds like some boards clapping together, and needed its own stump to sit on. I think this will be a keeper for a while. When I get a better anvil I'll look into proper hardy tools. I was working light material (that's all I work currently), 3/8 round, and made some leaf fobs and adjusted a bottom fuller I made to fit my pritchel hole. I thought having 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch on the same tool would prove helpful for now. Yes I know there are many many reasons to have these as separate tools too. Then my bottle froze and my daughter woke up. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) "it sounds like some boards clapping together" because it is "some boards clapping together"! Well if all you're cutting is 3/8....... I used to cut off 3/8 and 1/2 on one edge of my anvil. Like two blows and twist off. Edited October 28, 2009 by nakedanvil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 My anvil edges look like 3/4 or 1 inch round, poor abused thing. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I may be overly critical, I just have my perspective plus I'm an old timer. pkrankow: ever seen an "anvil devil"? $3.80SaveEdge 3 Sided Steel Anvil Devil-Centaur Forge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 I may be overly critical, I just have my perspective plus I'm an old timer. pkrankow: ever seen an "anvil devil"? $3.80SaveEdge 3 Sided Steel Anvil Devil-Centaur Forge Grant, what exactly is that? I can't really make it out in the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 It's a little three corner piece than lays on the anvil and is used just like a hardy for small stuff. Pretty cool actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 If you want to make an anvil devil, start with an old triangular file... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 matt87: Yeah, that could work, bout the right size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I may be overly critical, I just have my perspective plus I'm an old timer. Critical maybe but not overly. Critical is good. Especially from crusty old guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 "Crusty"? Don't you mean "debonair"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 hmm...I will have to wait a week...but that might be easier. Thanks Grant. I'll also look into the 4140. I doubt I will see a new anvil in my garage this year though. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I have made hot cuts from wedges and jackhammer bits, they work great, the fastest/easiest way to make one from a wedge is to weld a length of square stock that fits your hardy hole to the bottom of the wedge. I have one I made from a piece of an axle also, they all work fine it just depends on what you have on hand and how much time you have to put into making it, there's no right or wrong way just whatever works for you with your given situation. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 (edited) There is really no good reason to weld the shank on the bottom like a forged tool, just weld the shank onto the side and you'll be able to get a much better bead that trying to tuck it in underneath. Edited October 29, 2009 by nakedanvil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 "Your brain is the most powerful tool you own". I'll put my 700lb steam hammer up against your brain any day! Can you spell SPLAT?:o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell_smith93 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Here's the result of 1/2 an hour with a hand hammer and piece of 1-1/4 round 4140. OK I did use a sledge to upset the shoulder. This is why I can't understand all of the "shortcuts". Yeah, I just made it five minutes ago. Grant, how far did you draw out the taper before driving the piece into the hardie hole? also how long of a piece did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 "Your brain is the most powerful tool you own". I'll put my 700lb steam hammer up against your brain any day! Can you spell SPLAT? And that strange piece of humor came out of YOUR brain! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Not to mention that protruding weld beads can mess up the edge of your hardy hole. If you are going to make a splitting wedge into a hardy I'd cut it in half and make a hardy from the top and a fuller from the bottom section---2 tools for the price of one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Russell: Oh, 'bout 1-1/2 inches. It's going to extrude into the hole some too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 How tall off the anvil face is a good height for a hot cut hardy? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Hofi lists 3 inch in his blueprint. Guess I need propane and freedom from commitments for a few hours now. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamdunn4 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Thank you guys for all this information, this has helped me because I am in the same situation as ofafeather with no hardy. I can see both sides of the picture and I think I will try both methods. I should learn something doing both of these. Especially since I don't know anything yet. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I haven't even used my wooden box since the anvil devil arrived. Best $3 I've spent so far on this hobby. Its even better than the tongs I bought (no offense Grant) and I really like the tongs too. I can see it as difficult to cut thicker than 3/4 with an anvil devil though, there just isn't enough clearance to the anvil face. For 1/2 inch and under it is a treat. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Here's the result of 1/2 an hour with a hand hammer and piece of 1-1/4 round 4140. OK I did use a sledge to upset the shoulder. This is why I can't understand all of the "shortcuts". Yeah, I just made it five minutes ago. I'm with grant on this thread. Nothing beats the efficiency of forging. Here are two different approaches to hot cut hardies that I posted a while ago. The first one is the most efficient to make and use, but the second one requires alot smaller piece of steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 Brian, it's really amazing how a small change in thinking can make a huge difference. I never thought of making a hardy tool to fit the hardy hole on a bias. It makes a huge difference in what's needed to secure the tool. Do you notice any difference in stability compare with a full square shaft? Have you adapted this for other hardy tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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