explosion on face of anvil---How do they do this?

[territorialmillworks]

Saw a video where a loud bang was produced by hammering hot metal on the anvil face. At least that's what I thought they were doing, the video quality was poor.  It obviously got every ones attention.  Inquiring minds want to know  LOL

[HWooldridge]

A little water on the anvil face can make a loud pop if a piece of hot metal is laid over it and struck.  Sometimes a forge weld will also pop a bit.

[jmccustomknives]

Water on the anvil will scare the heck out of you if you aren't expecting it. :o

[JNewman]

I was at a James Viste demo a few years ago where he startled quite a bit of the audience with this.  He was forge welding things onto plate using a wet wooden paddle under a treadle hammer.  It was a really loud bang and a huge spray of molten flux

[Dan P.]

Water on the anvil, good welding heat, hold the work piece just above the anvil, give it a good wallop. Plenty of water, mind. Hot anvil is better. Oldie but a goodie! Also used for popping off scale.

[territorialmillworks]

Got to try this....Thanks

[Glenn]

Wear ear protection.  Some steam explosions on the anvil can be loud. They also throw out a lot of debris.

[Frosty]

The wider the steel the louder the bang. The bang is the steam trapped between the anvil and the hot stock forcing it's way out. A piece of 1"+ strap stock works nicely. Other techniques as mentioned make it work reliably: sprinkle of water on the anvil, HOT stock, held a bit off the face, drive it onto the anvil with the hammer. BANG!

 

Popping the stock like this is excellent theater for demos. Get's folks attention a loooooonnnnggg way off and they just gotta come see what's happening. Ear plugs and eye protection are a MUST and you have to be VERY careful nobody is close enough to catch spray or scale.

 

Frosty he Lucky.