Hello All,

I am a newb to the forum and to the blacksmithing thing.  I just got a Stainless Steel Round Stock 6" Wide X 7" Long as my first anvil.  It appears to be fairly soft at the moment.  I hit it a couple of times to test it on a edge that I intend on squaring off.  Should I try to harden it or just go with it as it is?  How would I harden it if that is what I should do?  I did flatten a 1/8" thick flat stock cold to see how it would hold up and the first several strike left corners of the stock in the face of the SS.  I am assuming this would tbe less when the stock is hot.  Any suggestions?

 

Thanks in advanced for your help.

 

Metal MAsher

There are a number of different SS alloys with different degrees of hardenability, so it's difficult to give a specific answer. That said, a 7" length of 6" round will do you just fine as a block anvil (see elsewhere on the forum for examples and discussion), and a softer surface is actually a benefit for you as a newbie. Just make sure that you've softened the edges to keep from nicking your workpiece. About 1/16" radius is minimum, and you can actually put a series of different radii around the edge to act as a series of small fullers.

Now, with all that said, welcome to IFI! Please go to your profile settings and put in your location, so we know where you are (some questions have locale-specific answers). You should also post an introduction in the Introduce Yourself section, but be sure to READ THIS FIRST.

And yes work HOT; a soft anvil face will teach you not to keep hammering after the piece cools!  Many stainless alloys will not harden by heat treat and so work hardening will help some.  If you get any really bad dings try to smooth them out by hammering on the face with a smooth hammer.

Welcome aboard masher guy, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the gang live within visiting distance.

I don't have a lot to add to what's already been said but I'll reinforce it. SS alloys are rarely made to be hardened, mostly they're made to be corrosion resistant which usually ends up being tough as a consequence of the metal combos. You HAVE TO WORK HOT or it WILL dent the anvil. That's just how it is with a SS anvil. 

When John says "soften the edges" he means grind off the sharp corners they tend to do damage to work with no benefit. Grind a radius on the edges, it'll prevent cold shuts and damage to the anvil.

Work HOT. It should work just fine for you. Remember we LOVE pics.

Frosty The Lucky.

Metal Masher

I don't know if you've got one but a 4-5" angle grinder with a flap disk (not wheel) is a wonderful tool to blend edges.  Even in a very coarse abrasive like 60 grit, the flap disk will leave a beautiful shiny and blended finish.  It won't however, let you make something very flat. For that, the plastic backing plate and plain abrasive disks are really nice. 

 

As mentioned.. I wouldn't bother with any kind of heat treat.. Just use it and enjoy mashing metal..