Crunch Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Hey, all, I recently made an anvil hold-down dog out of some 1/2" round bar I'd gotten from the steel yard. I used it a few times and it seemed to work OK, but then for some reason it stopped working because when I hammered it down, it didn't "stick." I guess it got bent out and had less curve in it. My question is, should I use high-carbon (or even medium-carbon) steel for a hold-down dog, rather than mild steel, so that it can be hardened and tempered to have some "springiness" so that it will "stay put" after I dog it down? Or is mild steel OK for this?I've never really forged any HC or MC steel yet, as I am afraid of overheating it and burning out the carbon. Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Yes, ... it's essentially a spring.I would straighten a section of Automotive coil spring, to use in that application. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunch Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Thanks, SmoothBore. I'll try that. I'm guessing the quenching/tempering isn't all that "critical"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Depends, sring temper is best but as forged generaly works. Mine is 5/16 1018. Works just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Shape and how hard you set it can effect mild steel hold fasts. However auto coil spring works a treat and doesn't require heat treat more than normalizing after forging. I've been slowly replacing my mild steel hold fasts with coil spring as they wear out or I decide I need a piece of stock that size and use it as such.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judson Yaggy Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I make a lot of these for sale to blacksmiths and even more for wood workers. Mild steel works just fine, as long as the proportions are correct and the shaft is just slightly under the diameter of the hole. Length of the hole affects the action as well, the longer the hole the smaller the shaft can be. Using higher alloys just lets you flex it further before it gets to the yield point, but get your shape and size right and mild steel will work great.They were made for a documented 500 years out of wrought iron. WI will work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunch Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your help and expertise. 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.