SOFA 2009: Welding Face Plate to Anvil

[unevensteven54]

I understand the faces were press welded to the body of anvils.

[indianablacksmith]

I do not know. I am sure there was a time when they did indeed use hammers to weld the faces to the anvil.

[Dragonstud]

iron plate to steel anvil right?....

[indianablacksmith]

No, steel face to what looked like a forged iron anvil.

[Conan568]

Very cool. 5*

I always wondered how this was done, and I forge weld on a regular basis.

[northforge]

I would have to agree with anvilfireguru, although I must give these men credit for recreating something that hasn't happened in this country for an age. I am sure in time with practice they will have a more thorough system of re-facing anvils via forge. Keep the spirit alive boys. Happy Hammering.

[villagestreet]

I hope they were wearing didymium safety glasses--alhough it didn't really look like it. That looked like enough heat to give you instant cataracts.

[anvilfireguru]

While this was a great demo it was far from the reality of anvil making or even refacing. The moment the top weld was completed the sides would be dressed using smaller hammers and then flatters taken to the face with more striking with sledges. The hardy hole would be drifted to clean up and the pritichel hole punched. More flating and straightening would ensue.

It is hard tough work and nothing stops while there is heat in the piece. The crew must no exactly what they are to do next.

[56TonyT]

It looked like it would work very well if it were tempered the right way. I need a new faceplate on my anvil and this really caught my attention.

[56TonyT]

How did you quench and temper it after welding on the new face plate, and what metal did you use?

Tony

Tampa bay Florida

[indianablacksmith]

Tony:

This was part of a demonstration to show that it can be done. They built a forge specifically to heat the anvil and used a generous amount of good coke. I don't think they intended it to be a usable anvil.

- Michael

Michael

[TechnicusJoe]

whoa! that was awesome!