Suggestions for ASO

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>>1228026
Front view. He also cut the angle on it.

File: IMG_20170814_174143.jpg (1MB, 2366x4176px) Image search: [Google]

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>>1228029
I figure I do need something like a horn on it so my plan is to weld these two pieces of steel(pardon the blurry pic) together & then grind them down to a rounded shape on top leaving it flat on the bottom. Then welding it to the top to act as a horn for drawing out material. This thing IS heavy. weighs about 100 lbs.

>>1228026
I think I will also be welding a couple of supports towards the back to keep it from flexing & give it a little more mass.

>>1228026
By calling it an anvil shaped object, I can assume you know exactly what you have. Unhardened low carbon steel. This looks like a fantastic beginners 'anvil' and one that really should do pretty well for you as is. Something for a horn would be handy, but if you're doing knife making, I cannot think of too many needs for a horn. If your metal working friend has a cutting torch, or plasma cutter, I would suggest having him cut a hardy hole for you off to one side of the center since it's an I beam. Find yourself some hardie tools, and use the shank size off of them for what size he should cut. The hardie tools you buy should carry over to a proper anvil when you get it, so you're wasting nothing.

>>1228038
Thank you for the advice. I don't think he has a plasma cutter or cutting torch but i will look into adding a hardy hole.

Instead of making a horn like shape should I try hardening those plates & weld them onto the top?

I've been seriously considering getting into blacksmithing as well, but I haven't started on anything yet. I've come to terms with the fact that I'll have to make my own forge, but I'm unsure as to what exactly I'll need to build one.

Do y'all have any suggestions that will fit a low price range? (I was thinking of getting a piece of railroad track and bolting it to a large log to use as a makeshift anvil, since I've heard that they'll work for a while. I'll be saving up for a proper anvil later on)

While I'm at it, what skills should I learn before even getting started?

>>1228043
Nah, I wouldn't Hardening and tempering something of that size and weight is best left to those with a set up for it. Just use it as it, and know that you're going to ding up the surface pretty bad, and you're going to have to dress it up with a grinder now and then. Otherwise just save up for an anvil after you get some experience under your belt.

>>1228053
forges can be built out of a folding chair, a hibatchi grill basin, and a hair dryer. Look up Satan's Toilet, and get crackin, it's alot easier than you think to build a make shift forge.