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horn or not to horn

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I have a block of hardend 537 steel I'm using for a anvil. I want to put a horn on it. I've never welded that type of steel and I don't want to ruin the temper of the anvil. its pretty massive, about 400 lbs, and has a 14x5 in face. I also have a piece of 4in round about 12 inches long im gonna grind into a horn. Now my question is, will it work? If anyone has any suggestions please, I'm willing. Oh yeah its about 20in high

20201030_171348.jpg

Happy New Year,

Why does it 'HAVE TO' be connected. It is better not to spoil a good thing.

Neil

What can you NOT do on that anvil now that requires a horn ?   You will have to remove 1/2 or more of the 4 inch dia x 12 inches long piece of metal to make it a horn. 

I agree with Glenn.  If you need a curved surface use a separate implement, a stake anvil, a round piece of stock held in a vice, a cone set vertically or horizontally, etc..  I think it would be a mistake to weld anything onto what you already have.  Do not think that "real" anvils have to have horns.  Smiths for thousands of years used anvils similar to yours and did just fine.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

In the book Practical Blacksmithing author writes how he repaired anvil horns by making a dovetail joint.

That looks like a milling machine in the background. :D

Another way to add a horn to your forge equipment is to make a stake anvil:

764570255_stake_anvils(2).jpg.adfd65a1641b03733a3bbe64566cbc5b.jpg

These were made with railroad spike driving sledge heads to go with my Y1K anvil: (On it's side to show the mounting spike.)

633518443_Y1Kanvil2(2).jpg.2aea28b41aa3e521e841188f22ffce15.jpg

If you have the capability/equipment to weld a horn to that block it would seem to me that you also have a chance to build rig for horn work. A double horn stake anvil arrangement out of the 4” round stock could look awesome, and not chance the heat treat on your big rectangle. My thoughts no knowing your set up. 

  • Author

yeah I'm thinking about attaching it to my striking anvil. I have a piece of 2 in plate thats 6x14 I'm gonna put a hardy and pritchel hole in (don't think I can put one in the big anvil). I have a piece of rr track I'm now thinking of using for my horn. If someone is interested in that 4in  round stock I have and lives in Washington state. They can have it for free. not sure how much it weighs I guess there's a formula on the internet. 

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