Dan Manns Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 I have obtained a piece of 12"x6"x3/4" thick 4140 plate that I plan on mounting to an I beam to create a homemade anvil. I would love to get the piece to a RC in the mid 50's to 60. What is the best way to get er done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 that is not a very good idea for an anvil, the I beam wont have enough backing - save the 4140 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 55C is the max you can get. Agree with Steve, that this isn't the best plan. The only way it could be better would be to have the I-beam on end with the 4140 capping it. But you won't have that much mass under the hammer being it is only 3/4" thick. Look through the improvised anvil thread for better options and places t search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 thanks fellas i will do just that. i actually have (2) pieces of the 4140 so maybe i will double them up and end up with a 12"x6" plate that is 1 1/2" thick. i appreciate the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Doubling them won't help unless you can forge weld them into a single piece. While a person can do some forging on it it's a long way from being a good working anvil. I'm afraid I have to recommend you put your hunting cap back on. The improvised anvil section has a lot of good workable ideas. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 thx frosty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Bulldozers are made from anvils. I picked up this counterweight 110 pounds for $35.00 U.S. Check with heavy equipment repair shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 What size are the square holes in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Had to run out and measure them. The side showing is 2 inches & counter sunk to a round 1 1/16 hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 Back to the drawing board. Found out a friend works in a machine shop and can cut out a 3" piece of plate to any shape. What do ya think of this setup.... I'll be grinding the horn down of course. Anvil should weigh around 85 pounds. I'll be using for bladesmithing and basic blacksmithing - nothing super heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Depending upon the cost, it will do what you propose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 That looks like it should work. My only suggestion would be to maybe skip the hardy and pritchel hole in the anvil. You may be better off with a portable hole made into another plate. There's not going to be much material around the hardy and it would save the trouble of cutting a heel into the anvil. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 i'm pulling a favor on this one and getting it for nothing! i must be living right. Now... what to do with the 2 pieces of 12" x 6" x 3/4" pieces of 4140.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I agree with pnut. A portable hole for a hardy hole made the same height as your anvil face will also serve as a helper for long stock. Not cutting in the heal under the hardy hole makes the sweet spot on your anvil significantly larger. More sweet spot is good. You can make saddle bridge to draw over say you want to make fork tines without having to bend the ones you're not forging out of the way. A piece of channel iron with a couple tabs to keep it in place on the anvil face works a treat. A bolster plate from say 1/2" plate with different size holes in it lets you punch holes without the pritchel hole or damaging your anvil and punches. I'm no fan of horns, the more I learned the less I used them but they are a good variable radius fuller. You just have to adapt to the work wanting to curve when you draw on it. Your drawing looks pretty good, not what I'd have made but it's going to be yours. Yes? Few things feel as good as using a tool you've designed or better made yourself. Hang onto the 4140 It's good trading stock and you'll come up with something sooner or later, probably about 5 minutes after you trade it. THAT'S a blacksmith tradition for you! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 haha! so true frosty! i am going to take you up on the idea of not cutting the heal, keep the mass and make a bolster instead. BTW the forge i am using was made from an old ceramic chimney flue liner, some kaowool and high temp mortar. working ares of the forge is 5" x 5" x 24" I built a double burner after researching, studying, reading and of course consulting YouTube. I used a burner design that I believe is attributed to you after what I read in the video description. you have my thanks sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 just realize that the last pick was a mockup before the needle valve arrived in the mail. there's a valve between the shut off valve and pressure gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Good evening, Something else you could do if you have a large enough piece of plate is to set it up on edge to get maximum mass under the hammer, and put a series of different radiuses or dies into it. Still no heel or horn, but there's ways around that as above. Google Brian Brazeal anvil and you'll find an image easily enough, probably on iforgeiron somewhere. Here for example... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 On 6/20/2019 at 3:27 PM, Irondragon Forge & Clay said: Bulldozers are made from anvils. I picked up this counterweight 110 pounds for $35.00 U.S. Check with heavy equipment repair shops. That is awesome.. the potential is limitless.. Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 thanks nobody (ouch! that sounds ungrateful - but I'm not!) and jlp! Keeping my eyes peeled for a big hunk o steel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Everybody says you're welcome! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 had an old 4x6 - 8' long. just the right amount of lumber for the stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I am happy for you that you were able to get it done. If it were me, I'd have left it alone as a rectangle and stood it up the long way. Mass is your friend so cutting things off of it removes some of that mass. anvils were shaped the way they were for convenience but with modern welding equipment, the possibilities are endless. Instead of trying to mimic an anvil I would have just used the block and refined my skills till a real anvil was needed for the other facets listed. I am happy for you that you got it to where you want it, just the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Manns Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 thanks jlp, now it's time to finish grinding that sucker and get to some forging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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