Nick Esposito Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I'm trying to find a large piece of steel for a makeshift anvil. I live in Northern Virginia and we don't have a lot of "junkyards", just metal recycling centers who don't sell their scrap. I've found a 4 inch diameter by 6 inch long steel cylinder on eBay for $30, but I would rater have a square block of steel. How and where might I get one in my area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Look for places that use that type and size material. Junk yards are where they send left overs to try to get money for coffee and donuts for the break room. Look at machine shops, steel fab shops etc. Start using TPAAAT for both an anvil and the block of steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Esposito Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 TPAAAT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Thomas Powers Applied Anvil Acquisition Technique Read the entire thread, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulsepushthepopulace Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 You can also use forklift tines vertically... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.D. Mitchell Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've found everything I've ever needed just by scrounging, dumpster diving, asking around, etc. When you have more time than money, learning to scrounge is a necessity, and I would also say it's part of being a blacksmith these days. Sometimes you get to the point where you just need to buy something...but a lot of times if you look hard enough in the right places you'll find what you're looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 What size face are you looking for? There's a fella on ebay with a large chunk of 4140 for sale (150#!!), but it's cylindrical. He does have some heavier plate, but it's all rectangular and smallish. Definitely worth keeping an eye on his store, though.... http://www.ebay.com/sch/Metals-Alloys-/29402/i.html?item=400411526755&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sac=1&hash=item5d3a630663&_ssn=power-boater&rt=nc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainSpaulding Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 I lucked into exactly what you're looking for by walking into a local tool and die shop and talking to the owner about what I was looking for. He had two 75 lb die blocks (with holes in them) sitting on the floor and he sold me both for $30 because they were just in his way. I have an anvil now and I'd gladly part with one of the two blocks that I have but I can't imagine it being very economical getting it down to VA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndnchf Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Nick - there are several anvils and a railroad track anvil on our local CL now. Did you not go to Dan Boone's pasture party last Saturday? There were a lot of anvils for sale including a few railroad track pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 As mentioned an old die block will often be a great grade of steel, heat treated hard and tough and often available at scrap rate if you can track down places that used them; (drop forges, plastic extrusion, etc), sometimes the working face will actually serve as a swage for you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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