[TheForge] Anvil shaving 101

[Ralph Douglass]

Justin Fellenz wrote:
> 
> Jeez, thanks guys, you're a big help. I think you could get it hot
> enough and I think you could get it quenched, but tempering accurately
> might be tough. Anyone know what the hardness should be? THoughts on
> tempering such a beast? Spose if I get this figgered out I could just
> make me a new anvil...
> 
> Hmmm...
> 
> J
> --- Phlip <phlip at 99main.com> wrote:
> >
> > Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...
> >
> > > > Along the same lines...
> > > >
> > > > my spare anvil is a 275 pound peter wright that's pretty flat but
> > > > seriously chipped up on te endges and more than a little dinged
> > on the
> > > > face. I was thinking of hard surfacing it or at least grinding
> > off the
> > > > chips to a nice rounded edge. Thoughts about hard surfacing?
> > > >
> > > > I was also musing about whether it would be possible to
> > reharden....I
> > > > wondered if you could build a good coal fire and heat it up by
> > hanging
> > > > it upside down in the fire and then quench it and then
> > temper...dunno,
> > > > pretty heavy piece of iron and I really don't have an idea about
> > the
> > > > specs. Thoughts?
> > > >
> > > > JRF

You have to remember that in todays world of temp control ovens etc we
are sorta used to accurate results.
But on hand forged ( OK OK they used big hammers , power or trip) anvils
it is as I understand it you had a stream of water  go over the face 
and let the body provide any tempering. Sorta guess by golly. It is why
generally speaking larger anvils are softer.

Ralph
-- 
"Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision."