leo238•9d ago

Shoutout to the old anvil I picked up at a farm auction last fall

That thing finally gave me trouble last Tuesday. I was working on a heavy drawknife blade and a chunk of the face chipped off right near the edge. It's a 150 pound Peter Wright from the 1890s, so I knew it had some wear, but this was a real surprise. I ended up grinding the chip out smooth and setting it back to work, but it took a couple hours I didn't plan for. Has anyone else dealt with an old anvil face chipping unexpectedly? I'm wondering if I should try welding it up or just keep going as is.

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy2759d ago

Read an article once about how those old anvils can have internal cracks from being dropped or abused over a hundred years. The chip might have been from a hairline fracture that finally let go, not just normal wear. Welding it up is a gamble because the heat can mess with the temper and cause more problems down the line. Grinding it smooth and keeping an eye on it sounds like the smarter move honestly. Why risk ruining a 150 year old tool when it's still working fine after a little touch up? Just watch for any more chips forming around that area.

jordan6538d ago

Actually, old anvils are usually wrought iron, so welding them doesn't mess with temper at all.