GoodThing Factory Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Watched a bunch of videos, built myself a brake drum forge, commenced my hunt for an anvil and was lucky enough ( I think?) to find a well worn 162LB anvil that was basically given to me by an older fellow who was moving. Since I'm a complete newbie ... maybe fired up the forge and banged on the anvil 1/2 a dozen times to start to feel my way around things ... so I'm not in very good position to evaluate whether or not I should attempt to "clean up" my anvil ... the edges are pretty banged up but there's certainly are workable well radiused areas, some pitting on the face as well as a couple of gouges. I'm not interested in filling in the chip on the edge but I would like to hear opinions with regard to cleaning up the face and redressing the edges. Images below and thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 I would think at most, light dressing of the edges. But try it for a few months first. You may find you'll like it just as it is, and if not, then you'll know better exactly what you want to fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 It's edges are ok; remember that sharp edges were considered a bad thing 100+ years ago as they damage the work pieces: "Practical Blacksmithing", Richardson, pub 1889,1890,1891 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I'd leave it as is and just use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Yep, if you need a super smoth face, make a thick hardy plate to act as a flater on the anvil side, ofherwise forge away, you will leave worse marks in the steel than that anvil will, and folks by the "rustic look" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodThing Factory Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 thanks for the input ... apreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Well worn? That's not true. She looks a little more than gently used. You'll be surprised at how epically we can mess things up if we try to "fix" things to fit to the standards they were when they were made. She'll last you 200+ years easy without more than a gentle sanding and maybe a little filing on the edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Anvil Forge Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I am not an expert. I would put a wire brush on a grinder and go over it vigorously. A light film of oil- no paint. That is a nice anvil. Congratulations!frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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