Bwizthegwiz Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 Hello my name is Ben known in some circles as bwiz. Im in the process of starting my blacksmithing journey. Im attempting to build a somewhat modified version of a sledgehammer anvil. My thought is to lay a 12lb sledge horizontally into a good sized log buried vertically about 3-4ft. From there notch out about half of the sledge head and screw the second piece through the hole of the sledge creating a slightly larger and more flat working surface. My question is... is this a good idea or a waste of time and should i just use the sledge head alone? With all this being said I know an actual anvil is better but im trying to start low budget before I put much financial energy into the craft. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Want to get pounding metal as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eventlessbox Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 From experience. You are much better off putting the sledge head in vertically. Using the striking face as your anvil face. There are a few threads about sledge anvils already on the site that are worth going through. But this is the one I used till I bought an anvil shaped anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 No need to bury the stump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 Welcome aboard Wiz, glad to have you. Nah, don't do that to the poor sledge head, it'll be much more effective mounted like Eventlessbox mounted his. You don't even need to get that fancy. You cna do your straightening directly on the anvil block to better effect. A large anvil face isn't as useful as it would seem virtually all your forging is done on an area of the face only a LITTLE larger than the hammer face. Ditto Bigguns, don't bury the block or sure as the sun's yellow you'll need to move it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Do what Eventlessbox did. A larger face makes some things easier especially if you're doing it alone. Punching a hole is one example. I got around it by putting a log that's the same height with a chain hold down next to my vertical rail anvil and put the cool end on the log under the hold down with the part I want to punch on the rail. It was much easier after that. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bwizthegwiz Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 Thanks for the warm welcome and helpful replies. Ill stick to just the sledge for now. Wait to reinvent the wheel after iv learned a bit more. Ill post a picture in the next couple days when I build it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Here's how I did mine for a portable seated setup. The two fasteners are high strength 6" anchors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusb Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 That spike would get me in all sorts of nasty ways! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 It can be shortened, but the whole thing's pretty light so it wouldn't do much damage. I was in a hurry when I made it, so I wasn't thinking about the added length when tapering the material down... whoops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 That's a good idea. The best sledge hammer head anvil I've seen so far. Does the hot cut come out or do you keep it on the opposite side from where you're hammer hand is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Haven't used the hot cut yet, but in theory it can come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 For safety, please remove the hot cut from the anvil stand when not in use. One oops is all it takes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HojPoj Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Oh definitely. I only say 'in theory' because after using it a few times it might get wedged in, or it might wallow the hole out too much to be useable. Just figured it was worth the experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bwizthegwiz Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 Alright folks! Mostly ready just needs fine touches. Base is a little unlevel but other then that i think im ready to rock! Thanks for the input everyone and any feedback is welcome. Now to get my forge finished up so i can start pounding steel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 It's a beauty!! I just picked up an 18 pound sledge head thinking, "How can I go wrong?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eventlessbox Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Swinging that for a 12 hour day would make it hard to buy off the rack shirts for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanglediver Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Nah, hospital gowns are one-size-fits-all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Hospital gowns are one-size-almost-fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 at least they usually cover the front half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 You mean the opening goes to the back! No wonder I got some strange looks the last time I had a check up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 You still wonder? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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