Before you buy anvil do this simple rebound test

[Autoguy]

Anvil Rebound Test - Steel vs. Wrought vs. Cast Iron vs. Rail - All Compared Side By Side.


See this video that will show you how to check the anvil quality? with just a small steel ball

good luck

 

[Kaizen]

I'm pretty sure she was blinking sos ??

Seriously what is the point? I get that different metals react different to being hit by a steel ball but how does that translate to the metal that i'm shaping on it?

 

[mbshop]

Probably a good one that can take the beating.
one that doesn't ping will most likely have defect or will not stand the constant beating an anvil is most likely to be forced to take.

 

[kelpaso1]

From the comment section this explains why this test is important.

"The reason for better rebound serves 2 purposes;

1- instead of the anvil itself absorbing the energy from each hammer blow it's reflected back and, in turn, absorbed by the material being forged. This makes smithing itself more efficient and moves the material more uniformly.

2- the rebound also puts a "bounce back", so to speak, into the hammer so you aren't physically doing as much work to directly lift the hammer just to slam it back down again. This goes along with efficiency and also has to do with the ergonomics of the tool itself.

Have to keep in mind, in years past,it wasn't about the enjoyment of the craft, it was about making a living for your family with the craft."

 

[M_George]

A good anvil will be hard enough to reflect the same amount of energy to both sides of the work piece. A steel ball for testing an anvil can be purchased at Harry Epstein.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/31-32-chrome-steel-balls.html

 

[Kaizen]

Follow up question. Couldn't the railroad track be heat treated to make it "harder"? Like a knife?


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[akalian]

Follow up question. Couldn't the railroad track be heat treated to make it "harder"? Like a knife?

A metal yard I went to years ago, the old man owner had his kid sawing up old railroad rails into 12" pieces and selling them for $10.00. The years of the steel railroad wheel rolling over the rails hardened them quite a bit.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Follow up question. Couldn't the railroad track be heat treated to make it "harder"? Like a knife?


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Track is very hard. Milled flat the top of one it took a very long time had to do very light slow cuts on it.

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[Tennessee Cattleman]

A piece of railroad track will do for a anvil, but it is not hardened like a good anvil.

 

[M_George]

I started out with a section of rail road track. Still us it for some things but it doesn't compare with my 200 LB Vulcan. Having the wide surface area and horn make a big difference. Really need the hardy hole for cutting and shaping jigs is essential for doing detailed work.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Follow up question. Couldn't the railroad track be heat treated to make it "harder"? Like a knife?


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Not if it's mild/low carbon steel. Not enough carbon in it to harden.

On the other hand if it's made out of something with more carbon (I have heard 1080 is used) it can be hardened.

I had some mild steel rail, but I think it was from a crane.

 

[Kaizen]

Not if it's mild/low carbon steel. Not enough carbon in it to harden.



On the other hand if it's made out of something with more carbon (I have heard 1080 is used) it can be hardened.



I had some mild steel rail, but I think it was from a crane.

Thanks for the info.


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