metal1905 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Anvil project; I could use some positive advise on my last anvil project. 30 + years ago I made a pattern and had my anvil cast of Ductile Iron. I work hardened the surface and used it as my portable anvil (178 lbs). Somewhere in the 80’s I contacted a machinist school and the agreed apron plan was to make a hard steel top, dove tail both and press fit them. When I showed up the top was bolted on, now told to have it flame hardened. When I picked it up they told me the plugs covering the bolts popped out and they replaced them. The anvil was dead after that but I used it anyway till now. I removed the plugs (grease in a hole trick) found one plug was a mistake they tried to cover up, I blued the two halves and ran a file across both and I have no clue what’s going on, I have a hollow spot between the two halves. I was thinking to have someone re surface both and I’ll bolt them together in hopes to have a good city anvil like originally wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Should have just left it as ductile iron like many of the new anvils today like JHM. My 125# JHM is a nice anvil. You can still do that, or still do the dovetail. How thick is the top plate? Rereading your first post, I believe what happened is the top plate has warped. Check it with a straight edge as well as the anvil. If it is just the top, had it decked and bolt it down. But, just be warned that if there is any gap or flex in the top plate it will absorb energy and not be as efficient as a single piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal1905 Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 The top is 1" thick, you might be right on the warping, the mill marks on the base was never deformed by years of pounding on the surface so in thinking flatten them both and see how it feels. The cast base still has the bolt holes. I will talk to a machine shop to see what they can do. It's too big for my equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 If anything , you may have them crown it a couple of thousands so it is higher down the center. That way when you run the bolts down you know it will be tight in the center. To do that I would make it flat first, then slip the proper thickness shim stock under one edge, dust that side, then move the shim to the opposite side, and dust that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal1905 Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Sounds good, I never thought about it that way. Thanks, that's the kind of ideas I'm needing. I need it working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Have you considered brazing them together and heat treating? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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