Refacing worn anvil

[Judge Mental]

I have a huge (120kg) anvil which I bought cheaply.Problem is it has a dish worn into the main face and another in the horn. Anyone know if I can build this up with weld and then regrind or will getting it hot ruin its temper?I have mig tig and ac arc with high ocv.

 

[Omniata]

Could do with a "hard facing alloy" to fill it in and perhaps coat to an extent...

There are MIG wires available so you could build up in the "dishes" and the grind back, your going to have an issue of heat regardless of grinding just with the welding required...

A "Hilco" brand "Hardmelt 600" alloy might be a good one as it has abrasion resistance from impact as well as friction...

Can be applied by MIG too

Edit: Also sold under the "Weldability" brand "HILCORD 600"...

 

[irondarren]

My anvil is the same. must admit the dish is useful for straightening things out. Problem with mine is even if i ground it all back up etc it has lost its hardness, and thus needs hardening and re-tempering.

 

[TechnicAl]

Im not sure what steel grade an anvil is made from. I would find out before I started welding it. You could embrittle it with disastrous consequences, like shards flying off when you hit it.
Be careful

 

[English Steve]

Also remember that an anvil is not supposed to be 'flat'. It should be true lengthways with a slight crown crossways. This helps the material to move in the desired direction when you bash it with the hammer.

 

[astro_al]

This is a complex business. Is it the type with a 'separate' top plate (probably). You may not be able to tell, but most are.

If it were me, I'd grind it out a bit, then tig it in straight lines one way (rows, if you like), then grind the weld down about half way, and repeat with lines going the other way (like columns), grind that down about half way, repeat Step A etc etc until its high enough.

I know of blacksmiths who do it this way with good results. Best off asking on a proper blacksmithing forum like 'I forge Iron' (www.iforgeiron.com).

Cheers, Al.

 

[blacksmithstris]

Usually with old anvils its best to leave well enough alone.

I have also known others to build up with hardfacing rods, then grinding, with vastly varying results... some disasters, and some successes... I think it all depends on your skill level. If you are insistent on having a completely level face, after building up, you could take it to a machine shop and have the face milled.

Like others who have already commented, I tend to think the dish is useful.

My advice is to love the old anvil for it's lumps and bumps!

 

[Judge Mental]

Thanks for tips, think Ill ask that blacksmith forum.Bye the way. The hollow is not a nice even wear its just a localised spot about 2" long and 3/8" deep where some old smith has constantly hammered there. Dont think theres a seperate added on face plate, seems like just one huge forging or casting. My favorite piece of kit though, recomend everyone to grab one if they see one for sale.