Anvil stand

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I think that I've discovered there's a blacksmith hidden in me trying to get out. I bought some books on blacksmithing. Been surfing Anvil fire. comhttp://www.anvilfire.comI recently bought a HF 110# Russian made anvil.This anvil got a decent write up on AnvilfireI finally started on a base for the anvil. I had to quit due to incoming rain. I've still got more work, cap the square tube etc. But the base is very solid. 3 1/2" pipe The anvil is fastened down with a bridge of 1 1/2"x 1 1/2" x 1/4" angleThe next step is to build a forge. I'm leaning towards propane. I can get metalurgical coal From a guy up my Gainesville, but thats a 100 mile drive oneway.I'm working up my courage to cut up an old 20# propane tank. I've been listening to Franz (the king of tank launching  )This sight has info on homemade forgeshttp://www.reil1.net/ Attached ImagesLast edited by fla jim; 01-31-2004 at 09:53 AM.
Reply:Jim,That is a serious looking stand! How does it do for ringing. Does it dissipate it OK?
Reply:Not being an expert on anvils and blacksmithing I made everything heavy duty. I knotched the 3 1/2" pipe supports so the pipe goes directly to the floor. The anvil base support is 1/2" plate. I made it the height of my knuckles so a hammer will strike flat. it does have a good and ring and bounce (as good as the original Russian anvil straight on the floor).Next Ive got to purge one of my old 20# propane tanks. And make a forge without killing myself.Last edited by fla jim; 01-31-2004 at 10:49 AM.
Reply:I don't think you're gonna be happy with an anvil on a steel stand.  They work a whole lot better on a block of wood! www.keenjunk.com is a much better site than anvilfire, in my humble opinion, with a lot more crazy smiths.As far as a forge is concerned, you can make a damn fine propane forge with a pile of firebricks and a P/A torch that you can heat plenty of steel in.Bein where you're located deprives you of many fine appliances, you probably don't know what a gun type oil burner is,  but they are also an excellent heat sourse for forging, and cheap to operate.  There's a Canadian who is using a gun burner to melt aluminum who has a web site.  Until you decide if you really want to swing a hammer, and figure out if hammer shoulder and elbow are going to get to you, I'd suggest you stick with the brick pile to minimize investment.  Coal will give more heat cheaper, but coal stinks, and attracts unhappy neighbors who call in the law.  You gotta trust me here, a hotdog cooked over coal to prove it's arecrational fire tastes terrible.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I found a [url=]LINK[/url] that shows how to make an anvil and another [url=]LINK[/url] that shows an example of an anvil stand.  I thought they had some pretty good ideas on how to throw it all together.  But I don't know how well the stabelizer spring thing works.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:as for the old gas tank fill it with water then cut away!!!  i do it that way all the time!!!! 7018
Reply:Franz;Wood coesn't work good here in Florida. "TERMITES" I had a wheel barrow parked nose down for a few days, and they got into the wheel end of the handles.
Reply:Well, that anvil just might make for some good termite control when they chew the wood out from under it.We don't have many of them little critters around here, but we do have some cousins of theirs ants who can eat hell out of a stack of plywood or pine boards.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:i built my own, anvil that is.... its nothing pretty (not a piece or r.r. track) i had a huge octangle piece of 1in steel at the shop. cut it up made more or less a I beam, burned some serious 7018 and notched out some c sections to give it a anvil look, put a beek on it, made it a few years ago, and its seasoned outside. its great to bash the hell out of something (to free a frozen parT) A and noe i want to JAZZ  it up somemore, thanks for the link BRAINFARTH
Reply:Franz;I didn't think about the retribution on the termites. But they would probably figure it out and eat one side first, so the anvil would just slide off I didn think about the smell of the coal. I'm glad you mentioned that. I have a neighbor that bless his heart is getting a little senile. and calls the county on everybody.  He even complained about dogzilla annointing myside of his fence. For the life of me I can't figure out how he discovered that, or if he realized I did too The firebrick and propane thing seems good. What's a "P/A" torch?
Reply:JimI think you should use your neighbors leg and tell him it's raining."All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing"
Reply:Jim can you identify your neighbor in this picture?http://dobertoons.org/Jokeson.htmlIf you really want to drive him round the bend vinegar + salt will waste his greenery far better than Roundup.  P?A = Propane AirAppreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Wow! I've got to do a 15 character response to that: LOL Actually I feel sorry for the man. I sure hope not, but that might be me in a few years. I told She who must be obeyed, if I get like that to just shoot me
Reply:That's my wife's cat Gremlin doin the color commentary down in the left hand corner.  Grem is also a script consultant on that toon, and quite proud of himself.The whole Dobertoons series is amazingly factual especially if you've ever been fortunate enough to share your life with a Dobie.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:My oldest son's exwife had one. I think it was brain damaged from living with a redneck girl, I know we worried about my son. But luckily he was away on jobs as a millright most of the time.They stayed with my Dad for a while, and he loved that dog, and the dog loved him, and while they were there the dog had a good life.But I still like Dogzilla the best
Reply:I still suggest the Wooden Log stand.  There is a Green thick Paint that you need to put on both cut ends to prevent it from shrinking and cracking on you, It is almost like a wax when it dries.  It also prevents Termites from getting at it.  You will probably want to paint up a few inches on the bottom side also.I have attached a picture of Mine.  The green paint has worn off the top and you can't see it on the bottom cause Its bolted to platform. Attached Images
Reply:mike where did you come across that anvi/vise ? that is awesome, never seen anything like that before.
Reply:it's called a Ships anvil,  aparently the thing is about a 80 years old.  I picked it up at a flea market for $50Computer nerd with a background in woodworkingMy Site  No Metal working stuff there yet.
Reply:That anvil / vise was sold by sears and most other hardware stores at the turn of the century for use in farm and home shops. Sort of an early shopsmith, good for light repair work but heavy work reduces them to pieces. I have one in the shop I would sell cheap.I recently built a new anvil stand as well, angle iron frame with steel wheels that work only when tilted to the rear, easy to move in the shop. The anvil sits on a piece of wood but rubber conveyer belt works even better to reduce noise.Jim, I live an hour or so from you and have a complete blacksmiths shop with the exception of the power hammer I havent found yet, you are welcome to come try your hand, or rather arm at forge work. As someone said earlier it is tough on your arm, elbow and shoulder if you do much of it.
Reply:Franz, exactly which blacksmiths you callin' crazy? grin
Reply:i dont think it will be to stable when you get to banging on it , it looks like it will telt over
Reply:Well damnit Jim....I WOULD have to stumble across this thread.I was kind of thinking about trying my hand at a little smithing myself !   I've got a buddy who's in the junk,....er, I mean antique business, and he say's he know's where there's a steel #200 anvil for $90.   Franz...Good idea on the oil burner !   What size nozzle ?(or maybe Jim and I could go halfs on a pick-up of coal and split it).   I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Marko, this site is about all the information I've located on the WEB using an oil burner.http://www.theworkshop.ca/metcastmac...tr/mb3/mb3.htmYou pretty much need ot read all 4 pages.The design would easily convert to a forge by turning it on it's side and making some adjustment to the refractory.Personally, I think the guy is missing a step by not using the ignition system on the burner.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I've been hitting hot iron for 25 years and have a 250 lb Peter Wright on a truncated pyramid of concrete for the primary shop anvil.  It's still mobile if necessary but the block weighs about 300 lbs by itself so the whole mass doesn't move under normal use.  I have a dirt floor in the forging area so there is no shock.I also have a 150 lb no-name on a steel post with a plate as a base.  There are three short spikes welded to the bottom of the plate so it has a tendency to grab the ground.  This is my demo rig that I take to county fairs and such.Ringing anvils will not do so if you tie them to the base with a set bolt or something similar that doesn't allow the harmonics to develop.Check out the ABANA website for local chapters if you really are interested in pursuing the craft.  They are usually the best places to find tools and knowledge.Get it hot and hit it hard...
Reply:I picked up a old disposible Freon bottle. when I get a chance I'm going to start on my forge.A steel anvil stand... Attached Images
Reply:A concrete anvil stand... Attached Images