Noah Latham Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Howdy,so I've got this anvil, and I'm not sure exactly what to do about the edges, if anything at all. I've got an angle grinder with an 80 grit flap disk and a 30 grit grinding disk. I wanted to find out what ya'll would do, before I roll up my sleeves and make a fool of my self.Thanks!-Noah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 How long have you USED (not owned) the anvil.What problems have you encountered, or what have you not been able to do because of the blemishes shown in the photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Latham Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Not long, about a month.Drawing stock out on this anvil feels like I'm fighting what the anvil wants to do, ending up with weird looking tapers that I have to spend more time correcting.I'm not at all saying it is completely my anvil's fault. Edited July 8, 2015 by Noah Latham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan P. Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Wierd looking tapers are you, not the anvil.Leave the anvil be. If you need a super square edge, make a hardy with super square edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) I am going to quote Thomas Powers, "use it for about a year, then adress any problems you have found"looking at your pictures, I see a nice smoth radius up front of the plate on the farside, plenty to work with. Later you may want to blend the chiped edges smoth but not now, get to know her and how to use her before you do any "plasitic seurgery" i have Edited July 8, 2015 by Charles R. Stevens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Latham Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 Wierd looking tapers are you, not the anvil.Leave the anvil be. If you need a super square edge, make a hardy with super square edges.That's what I was thinking, but was wondering if there was some magic that could be done. Sounds good! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Welcome aboard Noah, glad to have you.You bet there's some magic to be done Noah, put that lady to work little brother, it's not the tool it's the person holding them that does the work. She'll smooth up with use, forget the grinders for a year or two before you damage her. Build your skills.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Latham Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 I absolutely agree that I can smith perfectly fine on this after a bit more use. Just making sure I wasn't missing the train. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Latham Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 I am going to quote Thomas Powers, "use it for about a year, then adress any problems you have found"looking at your pictures, I see a nice smoth radius up front of the plate on the farside, plenty to work with. Later you may want to blend the chiped edges smoth but not now, get to know her and how to use her before you do any "plasitic seurgery" i have I was planning on leaving her the way she is, unless ya'll said otherwise. When I said rolling up my sleeves I meant smithing on her more, not plastic surgery. that is what I thought was best but wanted to make sure it wasn't because I don't like using grinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Wise man, as my primary anvils are faries anvils, they acualy have radiused edges, starting at 1/4r and talering to about 1"r at the heal, with the front of the plate sharp just above the step. Just built that way. I use the clip horn when I need a sharp edge. But seriusly she is a grand old dame with a few wrinkles and scares, but hansome none the less. Make tools to fit her and make he sing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I was planning on leaving her the way she is, unless ya'll said otherwise. When I said rolling up my sleeves I meant smithing on her more, not plastic surgery. that is what I thought was best but wanted to make sure it wasn't because I don't like using grinders.I like you already Noah. Good plan. You are going to fit right in here.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 There indead apears to be a seperation in the top plate/body weld, but I doubt it to be an issue, it dosn't extend to the otherside and isnt in the sweetspot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JME1149 Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I think the lines were made by Wile E. Coyote trying to handle the anvil. It is an Acme after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Tooth marks maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) My 2 cents...and what I was taught by 40+ year smiths when I purchased my first anvil a number of years ago was to take a flap disc lightly to the face and horn to smooth it as best as possible without taking too much metal off. If you don't hav a smooth surface, it'll be harder to tell if the marks on your work are from your hammer blows or from the anvil. Edited July 9, 2015 by billyO and horn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 How to dress your anvil: I'd go for the goth look and a leather micro miniskirt and some chains!Of course I got home from work after only a 12 hour day ending in a chair breaking and me hitting the concrete with most everything but my head so muscle relaxants and painkillers and anti inflammatories---hope they help with the forbidden curse too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Originally I was going to suggest a raspberry vinegarette Or a home made mayo Cesar.The line under the face plate near the middle is the weld line but if the face isn't dead on those edges then it's not delaminating. It's probably the wrought or cast (I can't remember if an Acme is wrought or cast like a Fisher) eroding faster than the face. I do a lot of work over the edge striking into the body right about there but my go to anvil is cast steel and pretty invulnerable.Do a rebound test on the edges where the weld line is exaggerated like that and get back to us. Sometimes a line is just a line.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Latham Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 Wise man, as my primary anvils are faries anvils, they acualy have radiused edges, starting at 1/4r and talering to about 1"r at the heal, with the front of the plate sharp just above the step. Just built that way. I use the clip horn when I need a sharp edge. But seriusly she is a grand old dame with a few wrinkles and scares, but hansome none the less. Make tools to fit her and make he sing.I like you already Noah. Good plan. You are going to fit right in here.Frosty The Lucky.Appreciate it! I think the lines were made by Wile E. Coyote trying to handle the anvil. It is an Acme after all.Shhhhh... that coyote is gonna find out I took his anvil! Originally I was going to suggest a raspberry vinegarette Or a home made mayo Cesar.The line under the face plate near the middle is the weld line but if the face isn't dead on those edges then it's not delaminating. It's probably the wrought or cast (I can't remember if an Acme is wrought or cast like a Fisher) eroding faster than the face. I do a lot of work over the edge striking into the body right about there but my go to anvil is cast steel and pretty invulnerable.Do a rebound test on the edges where the weld line is exaggerated like that and get back to us. Sometimes a line is just a line.Frosty The Lucky. It is most definitely exaggerated in the pic. But I will be sure to double check it later. I've actually never noticed it other than in that one pic. Keen eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 A lot of things show up in pictures you don't notice in person. The lighting is from above so any little dip or angle will cast a clear shadow. I like to carry one of my little LED flashlights with me when garage/yard/whatever saling. My eyes need more light anyway but aiming the light beam so it lays across a surface will reveal microscopic imperfections. Really helpful dickering over price. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFire Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Acme anvils are noted in AIA for not hiding the weld line which agrees with every Acme I've seen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.