OT: Something a little different

[nc cooter]

Been lurking here for sometime now. I check this site almost daily and have picked up some good info. I am a novice machinist although I have been working with metal for a little over 6 years. I have a small black smith shop and primarily do hand forged knives. I do have a HF X2 mill, used mostly for making guards for my knives. I also have an almost new Jet 9x20 lathe that I found for $400. It had a QCTP and a good bit of tooling.
I decided to document my post anvil build.
Pic #1
This week I had 2 pieces of 5"x5" 4160 follow me home. They are a little over 29" long and weigh 206# each. One is going to be my post anvil.
Pic #2 and #3
I wanted some lifting lugs, just in case I decide to heat treat the face. There was no way to get a 206# piece of steel on the table of my floor model drill press. Sat my little 5 speed table top Clarke in the floor and used it to drill two 27/64" holes, 1 1/4" deep. Had to go very slow or the little Clarke would stall. Tapped for 1/2"-13 bolts 1" long.
Pic #4
For the stand, I used the stock I had on hand. The base is 1/2" plate, 16" square. The frame is 1 1/2"x3/16" angle. The cross braces are 3/8"x1" bar. With the cross brace spacing I have now, the anvil face height can be adjusted from 32" TO 34" IN 1/2" increments.
I will post more pics as the build continues.









Thanks for looking.

[Bob Ford]

If I understand what I see, curious as to how you slide the 4140 into the frame. Overhead hoist?

Bob

[nc cooter]

Bob, I don't have a hoist of any kind. That has been a major problem handling such a big chunk of steel. I have an idea of how to get the steel in the frame safely. I will post pics if it works.

[nc cooter]

Finished all the welding and added some tool holders. Had to figure out how to get the anvil into the rack. Wasn't that bad. All that's left is grinding off the saw marks.

[Quetico Bob]

Nice job on the stand Mike, that’s one big piece of iron. You mentioned having to put in saw marks? Excuse my ignorance, but what will it be used for? And what tools does it hold?

Cheers, Bob

[Bob Ford]

Bob,
I am pretty sure he means to grind the saw makes off so there is a smooth surface to work on.

The heavy and thick piece of 4140 might be easily flame harden with the torch in the back round.

Bob

[andy_b]

cool project! and nice chunks of steel.

definitely keep posting pics.

andy b.

[nc cooter]

Quetico Bob, this is a knife makers anvil. My hobby is making hand forged knives, which I have been doing on a conventional anvil. A lot of professional knife makers and all Japanese blade makers use a square face anvil. All the mass is directly under the hammer. To get 200# under the hammer on a traditional anvil, it would have to weigh over 400#. The tool holders are the handle looking devices on the side. Just a place to store hammers and tongs. The saw marks refer to the marks left when I had it cut. I will smooth the face and slightly round over the edges. Since I will only be working hot steel, the face should work harden well enough over time.

[wierdscience]

Nice job,I'm impressed by the holes,that sized steel with that sized drill press you must have the patience of a saint

[nc cooter]

wierdscience, in my case, usually patience = more time than money.