Dan Fronefield Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Several years ago I purchased a "chunk-o" steel from Chuck Robinson that is about 5" x 5" x 18" which he used for his knifemakers post anvil. I'd like to heat treat one end surface to build up my own post anvil ... but have no idea how. I kinda wish I had just bought the whole anvil now, but then I'd have had to move it three times by now (along with 15 tons of other "stuff"). Any ideas on how to proceed with the HT on this beast? Handmade Knives by D. Fronefield (specializing in Meteorites) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.H.Graham Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 If I remember correctly they were 4130/40/50 ? You might be able to get away with torch-hardening the face, I've done it with 4X4 pieces of 4150 and it's worked just fine, torch the face to an orange and let it cool, the mass of the block will draw it some. Other than that, you'll have to whip-up a big firebrick/isnwool furnace and get it into a drum of oil or water. Randal www.rhgraham.simpl.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Murch Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 I don't know if he has changed what he makes them out of, but now he makes them from 1340. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFogg Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 Dan, Chuck has a video of his heat treatment on the anvils and it will give you an idea of what is involved. Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frankl Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 I also got the video with the anvil, and realized I was very glad I had HIM to the HT. That said, he walks you through it step by step. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Thomas Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'd recomend his video to anyone just on the basis of the amazing work he does and to drool over his shop. I'm also glad I bought his "whole" anvil instead of just the unheattreated blocks, though tackling one of those blocks would be fun! Guy Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Frank Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I'd recomend his video to anyone just on the basis of the amazing work he does and to drool over his shop. I'm also glad I bought his "whole" anvil instead of just the unheattreated blocks, though tackling one of those blocks would be fun! No it wouldn't! Rósta að, maðr! http://jfmetalsmith.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ouellette Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I gotta agree with Jesse on this one... tackling any large mass of steel would cause injury Bob O "When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me. Oh, Lord, raise me to Thy right hand and count me among Thy saints." My Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Fronefield Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Got a reply from Chuck. It was good to hear from him again. "Hey Dan, Good to hear from you. The way I heat treat would be a little difficult for you in your situation, and since I also use 55 gallons of super quench, a little expensive. Grind down the anvil face as square as possible with a side grinder and radius the edges slightly. Then stand the billet face up in a metal drum say like 1/2 a 55 gal drum, and use a large rosebud to rapidly heat the face to above 1550 F. Do it relatively fast, about 10_15 minutes till the color is about 2" thick then rapidly pour into the drum a saturated brine solution that you pre mix in the other half of the drum. Rapidly stir the brine to minimize the steam pockets for 5 minutes. If the billet screams and vibrates for about 10 seconds in the brine it has hardened. Let it cool for about 15 minutes in the brine. Rinse with fresh water paint and you should have a useable anvil. You shouldn't need the vide unless you want to build the adjustable base. Regards, Chuck" Guess I'll take a shot at it when I have a day to kill. I'll take pics of what I come up with. Dan Got a reply from Chuck. It was good to hear from him again. "Hey Dan, Good to hear from you. The way I heat treat would be a little difficult for you in your situation, and since I also use 55 gallons of super quench, a little expensive. Grind down the anvil face as square as possible with a side grinder and radius the edges slightly. Then stand the billet face up in a metal drum say like 1/2 a 55 gal drum, and use a large rosebud to rapidly heat the face to above 1550 F. Do it relatively fast, about 10_15 minutes till the color is about 2" thick then rapidly pour into the drum a saturated brine solution that you pre mix in the other half of the drum. Rapidly stir the brine to minimize the steam pockets for 5 minutes. If the billet screams and vibrates for about 10 seconds in the brine it has hardened. Let it cool for about 15 minutes in the brine. Rinse with fresh water paint and you should have a useable anvil. You shouldn't need the vide unless you want to build the adjustable base. Regards, Chuck" Guess I'll take a shot at it when I have a day to kill. I'll take pics of what I come up with. Dan Handmade Knives by D. Fronefield (specializing in Meteorites) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frankl Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Great advice from Chuck! I have a couple big post anvils here made of 1045, and this sounds like a great idea. Though I suppose it is necessary that the anvil be a few inches shorter than the 1/2 barrel, no? I also wonder if it would help to wire/hose clamp a cone of Kaowool to the anvil, say 4" down from the face? Would this both heat the face faster and keep heat from travelling down into the rest of the anvil? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Frank Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 I gotta agree with Jesse on this one... tackling any large mass of steel would cause injury I was just razzing him.... he knows I'd do it in a heartbeat if we had to Rósta að, maðr! http://jfmetalsmith.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protactical Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Glad to hear all is well in Anvil land, I started to worry when I didn't hear back after Katrina. The video is awesome, If I could find the appropriate steel, I would give it a try just to freak out the neighbours, one needs a few projects like that just in case they get uppity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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