Harbor Freight Anvil: Can It Be Hardened?

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 15 гру 2021
  • Will a harbor freight anvil survive the quench? We find out the answer to can you harden a harbor freight anvil.
    Recommended Gear (Amazon affiliate links)
    Hardness Tester affiliate link amzn.to/383FBlo
    More Harbor Freight Anvil review videos by our channel: • Harbor Freight 55 lb. ...
    Join this channel to get access to perks:
    / @christcenteredironworks
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Want more Christ Centered Ironworks?
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Want to SUPPORT what we do here at Christ Centered Ironworks Blacksmith Channel?
    Visit my channel: / christcenteredironworks
    Stop by my website: www.blacksmithpdfs.com
    Get some merch: teespring.com/stores/christ-c...
    Shop my Amazon Influencer page for shop tools: www.amazon.com/shop/christcen...
    Social: / christcenteredironworks
  • Навчання та стиль

КОМЕНТАРІ • 516

  • @ChristCenteredIronworks
    @ChristCenteredIronworks  Рік тому

    Can you forge weld on a faceplate to the harbor freight anvil? ua-cam.com/video/sLzq8WShJXM/v-deo.html This is the latest video in this series... You don't want to miss it!

    • @mountainwolf1
      @mountainwolf1 Рік тому

      I wonder if it is possible to weld or bolt a steel plate to the top?

    • @jaysanders7472
      @jaysanders7472 8 місяців тому

      Yes I made several fire pokers

  • @Halloween111
    @Halloween111 2 роки тому +186

    Harbor freight does have some good tools and other items, but they have some real klinkers in there too. The anvils are klinkers. But there is something you can do to them. Get a sturdy rope and tie it through the Hardy hole. Row out into the nearest body of salt water until it is far enough to begin getting less polluted. 3/4 mile should do. Next, hang the anvil over the side with the rope. Then, cut the rope, row back to shore, and feel the burn from the workout. Finally, go invest in a decent anvil.

    • @rockylong7546
      @rockylong7546 2 роки тому +15

      Yes!! Always go to a unpolluted place to pollute! I love humans!!!

    • @Azlehria
      @Azlehria 2 роки тому +10

      HF anvils: not good for blacksmithing. _Great_ for your typical DIYer's "anvil-shaped object" needs.

    • @gpweaver
      @gpweaver 2 роки тому +7

      @@rockylong7546 Hey, it's just raising the iron content of the water. Helping the local wildlife have healthy hemoglobin levels!

    • @rockylong7546
      @rockylong7546 2 роки тому +12

      @@gpweaver don’t say hemoglobin. I am part globin and my mom is full hemo. OFFENSIVE!!

    • @wrecksandtech
      @wrecksandtech 2 роки тому

      @@rockylong7546 good, be offended

  • @brysonalden5414
    @brysonalden5414 2 роки тому +26

    Trying to turn an HF ASO into a useful anvil by any means reminds me of the famous Robert Heinlein line: "Never attempt to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig."

    • @garethbaus5471
      @garethbaus5471 2 роки тому

      You might be able to melt it down 2 or 3 of them, and cast them directly over a preheated and fluxed rectangular plate of 4140 or 5160 which can be hardened after the fact to give you a simple knife making anvil with a hard face and plenty of mass(assuming the face actually sticks).

  • @jadedelite
    @jadedelite 2 роки тому +215

    Really surprised you didn't take a quick pass with a flap wheel to get that scale off before any testing.

    • @genghischuan4886
      @genghischuan4886 2 роки тому

      why? the scale gives good contrast shows the scratches better. would be the opposite of what you want

    • @jadedelite
      @jadedelite 2 роки тому +51

      @@genghischuan4886 but for the ball bearing bounce test that has to be dampening some of the inertia.

    • @silentferret1049
      @silentferret1049 2 роки тому +24

      Yeah the scale is really deadening the rebound potential. Kinda surprised they overlooked that one.

    • @jasondavis3244
      @jasondavis3244 2 роки тому +31

      @@genghischuan4886 But are you only seeing scratches in the oxide and not the hardened steel? Tough to tell.

    • @genghischuan4886
      @genghischuan4886 2 роки тому +8

      @@jasondavis3244 Here is the deal, it was all just horse shit anyway. people who work metal know that if you try to water harden a dirty cast not to mention partial water quench. The whole thing was retarded, then all this dont do this at home shit. who cares about the scale. and seriously anyone watching this already knows how to do this anyway. If they really wanter to do a water quench then antifreeze should have been in the water. This was stupid

  • @georgeschnakenberg7808
    @georgeschnakenberg7808 2 роки тому +39

    I have to say. My first anvil was a harbor freight. And honestly it lasted longer than my knowledge surpassed it. The first smiths bashed against a rock or mild steel anvil. Buy what you can, heat it up with what you can an whack it

    • @TehButterflyEffect
      @TehButterflyEffect 2 роки тому +1

      Ah, but remember, one of Adam's sons was the originator of metalworking. That means he was probably taught by God Himself, and it's likely there was no "bronze age." The Bible mentions steel and iron long before secular "scientists" believe it existed.

    • @kylejohns2288
      @kylejohns2288 2 роки тому +5

      So how do you explain the bronze weapons and armor we have found

    • @damienweeks8581
      @damienweeks8581 Рік тому

      @@kylejohns2288 Satan put those there to fool us, like dinosaur bones and UFOs

  • @buttartoast
    @buttartoast 2 роки тому +76

    Considering Harbor Fright's track record with quality control, it's probably going to either crack or shatter on quenching, but if you luck and grab the golden ticket one, you'll have a pretty decent entry level anvil that isn't just an ASO.
    I've bought a screw driver where the point chipped turning a stuck screw, took it back and swapped it out and now i use that thing for prying staples and such. Harbor Freight is just a Blue Collar Casino.

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому +21

      LoL love that blue collar casino 🤣

    • @michaelconran5252
      @michaelconran5252 2 роки тому +8

      I watch Project Farm, The Harbor Freight car battery jump box, couldn't jump a Ford 4 Cyl Ranger. The Harbor Freight zip-ties, the best. I got an open box small shop vac for about $20, amazing for small, tight area jobs, use the hell out of it. picks up screws and nails Your comment, on track. I have engine hoists and stands. about 3 floor jacks, couple ATV jacks and jack stands, never had an issue. The ATV lifts I use all the time on our Harley's and other motorcycles. One of the floor jacks I use on my F350. I have busted some of their hand tools, but I am fine with it. Need to modify a hand tool, cheap is the way to go. I have a lot of old made in USA Craftsman, not going to grind an open end wrench to fit in a small spot I'll most likely use once. This is where Harbor Freight shines. Sometimes cheap tools are priceless.

    • @paulkelly1702
      @paulkelly1702 2 роки тому

      I've bought things from HF and now, I wouldn't buy a pencil there.

    • @deathsicon
      @deathsicon 2 роки тому +1

      @@michaelconran5252 the rule I was tight growing up, if you need it for one job, go to HF, if you need it to last go to Sears

    • @michaelconran5252
      @michaelconran5252 2 роки тому +1

      @@deathsicon unfortunately Craftsman is not the same anymore. Most of the Craftsman is have is from 80's early 90's. Now I buy other brands that have lifetime warranties. I got cheap if it something I will only use a few times. I went cheaper on the 72 Torx I may use 2 or 3 more times on my Harleys luckily over the years I have anywhere from 3 to 5 of everything.

  • @TehButterflyEffect
    @TehButterflyEffect 2 роки тому +3

    I watch a lot of these types of videos on UA-cam, and I'm very happy to see you guys working as safely as possible. Full leathers, gloves, safety glasses at all times, face shield for extra protection... you're the real deal. Thank you for being a good example.

  • @Vikingwerk
    @Vikingwerk 2 роки тому +13

    Something I have found hardening home made tools is that those surface oxides can be a fair bit softer than the hard metal underneath.

    • @mikehancho3500
      @mikehancho3500 2 роки тому

      Wouldn't u want to polish off the surface oxides im no pro

    • @Zonkotron
      @Zonkotron 2 роки тому +4

      @@mikehancho3500 Not just those, also decarburization (decarb) - a layer where the inverse of case hardening has happened - air has leached out the carbon. Usually quite thin but some steels and long soak times can cause deeper layers.

    • @ericrichardson3332
      @ericrichardson3332 2 роки тому

      Also with hardening metals most metals need to be tempered back as they would be to brittle and shatter if struck or dropped from a distance . It kinda makes me think the casting got hard but because its cast it is easy to break when hard so that's why they leave them soft anvils , my question would be can you weld a solid high carbon steel to the anvil and harden the piece of high carbon steel ?

  • @TheBorus
    @TheBorus 2 роки тому +10

    It looked to me like the failure originated at the hardy hole. The sharp 90 degree corners are stress risers and cause brittle fracture during heat treatment. You may have had some grain growth, but I would be willing to bet that it would have survived if you had radiused or chamfered those square edges before taking it up to temp. Neat video, thanks.

  • @kireduhai9428
    @kireduhai9428 2 роки тому +13

    I honestly wondered about this.
    Since they use "ductile iron," (not cast iron, which is actually VERY high carbon) which actually has a decent graphite content, it actually stood to reason that it would be hardenable on some level.

  • @williamfleming3837
    @williamfleming3837 2 роки тому +7

    Fantastic work man! My harbor freight anvil is still a good part of my shop, use it when I don’t want to damage my good one haha. Keep doing an amazing job! Happy holidays!

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому +3

      Thank you William merry Christmas to you and yours 🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎄🎄🌨️🌨️❄️

    • @williamfleming3837
      @williamfleming3837 2 роки тому

      @@ChristCenteredIronworks Thank ya!

    • @michaelconran5252
      @michaelconran5252 2 роки тому

      Exactly what cheap tools are for. Can modify, and use them in a pinch as they were not intended to be used. Break it, who cares? break that old Craftsman (When they were good) or Snap-On, you cry.

  • @drason69
    @drason69 2 роки тому

    Very interesting, to say the least. Thank for taking the time and effort, to demonstrate what has been questioned, for a while now. Well done Sir! 👍🔥⚒️🙏🏼

  • @GWIRailroad
    @GWIRailroad 2 роки тому +12

    Wow that was interesting Roy, however I think I will keep mine as is for my grandson he still love it!! Thanks for the Great Video Wayne

  • @Ray_Morris
    @Ray_Morris 2 роки тому +13

    The biggest issue I see is that you can't harden cast iron. Good experiment though.

    • @littlejackalo5326
      @littlejackalo5326 2 роки тому

      LOL. Sounds like you need to do more research before making sweeping statements and presenting them as fact.

  • @michaelhayes1678
    @michaelhayes1678 2 роки тому +2

    Thanks for sharing! Makes sense: More hard makes more brittle. Cast iron is already brittle, but soft. Thanks! It is better for tools to have a little less hardness in exchange for decreasing the chance of easier and more dangerous failure. Great live stream tonight, by the way.

  • @danielthompson6207
    @danielthompson6207 2 роки тому +16

    That was interesting for sure. I have a theory about the improved rebound; could it be that having it upside down in the forge melted the Bondo inside the anvil and caused it to settle against the face, thereby increasing the rebound without actually improving the anvil itself?

    • @mytech6779
      @mytech6779 Рік тому +1

      There is no bondo inside a casting, and any bondo in surface pits would burn out way before those temperatures, its basically plastic.

  • @jackofalltradesprepping9611
    @jackofalltradesprepping9611 2 роки тому

    Haven't watched your content yet, but I love Christ, so I'm now subscribed!

  • @wayneheitz8390
    @wayneheitz8390 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for the fun test. Merry Christmas 🎅

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you Wayne merry Christmas And God bless you Sir 🎅🏼🎄🌨️❄️

  • @metalblueberries3742
    @metalblueberries3742 2 роки тому +1

    Many blessings. Happy holidays. Thank you for your channel

  • @Gkitchens1
    @Gkitchens1 2 роки тому

    I was under the impression most anvils only had the tops hardened or work hardened, not the whole top half. You learn something new every day.

  • @droppoint495
    @droppoint495 2 роки тому

    Great show roy merry christmas 🎄

  • @SchysCraftCo.
    @SchysCraftCo. 2 роки тому

    Wow that's pretty interesting out come Roy. I will keep my anvil pinto. She is working hard and very well. Can't wait to see more videos soon. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend Roy. Forge on. Keep making. God bless.

  • @752brickie
    @752brickie 2 роки тому +1

    you answered my question at the end of the video. Thanks

  • @elusive7815
    @elusive7815 10 місяців тому +1

    You made your shop into a sauna that's great thinking man 😂

  • @TAS1303
    @TAS1303 2 роки тому +1

    Nice job Roy. That ending surprised me!

  • @user-io6ds8gj4p
    @user-io6ds8gj4p 2 роки тому +3

    I am building my own anvil out of I beam and a 1" thick block of 4140 for the striking face.
    The 4140 should harden up to about 52 Rockwell.
    I was wondering how to heat the thing up, but had not considered using a coal forge to heat just the 4140 part. I was planning on building a furnace around the thing!
    Very helpful.

  • @thedazzlingape2006
    @thedazzlingape2006 Рік тому +1

    "do not do this at home"
    right you are roy! most blacksmiths do this at rivers!
    the cold water flow helps harden the anvil as it prevents steam jacketing and boiling water splashes.

  • @isaacbenrubi9613
    @isaacbenrubi9613 2 роки тому +5

    I'm honestly amazed that anvil didn't snap in half during the quench.

  • @lowellhouser7731
    @lowellhouser7731 2 роки тому +6

    So, a 12-18 inch piece of 4140 3in round heat treat from Speedy Metals or whatever tilted up vertically would be a better bet for a newbie I'm thinking.

    • @baladar1353
      @baladar1353 2 роки тому

      Definately. Someone wrote a comment above that Harbor Freight anvils are only anvil shaped objects. They are good for straightening nails or for paperweights. Cast iron is not hardenable.

    • @nerd1000ify
      @nerd1000ify 2 роки тому

      Cast iron can be flame or induction hardened (common for machine ways, gears, etc).

  • @DarrenMalin
    @DarrenMalin 2 роки тому

    thank you for this video , is this time of xmass madness THIS is sanity ! :)

  • @robertwhitney2232
    @robertwhitney2232 2 роки тому +3

    Hi Roy, Interesting test on the HF anvil. I am no medelergist, but did you actually change the molecular structure of the iron when you heated and quenched the anvil?🤔 I have heard stories about HF anvils are poor cast-iron to start with. I have large hand tools from HF without problems, just be careful of what you buy. 👍 ⚒

  • @supersupernova74
    @supersupernova74 2 роки тому +1

    Almost didn’t recognize you with the beard!! Good video! God bless!

  • @ArindursForge
    @ArindursForge 2 роки тому +2

    For giggles I wonder if you'd be able to case harden it

  • @askquestionstrythings
    @askquestionstrythings 2 роки тому +1

    I'm not surprised grey cast iron doesn't water Quench well as the cooling rate is too fast. air, oil, molten salt seem more apt. of those Air is safer and considering the limits you mentioned in your shop air is probibly best. Which gives me the thought that plate quenching with a large/thick aluminum "plate" would be better.
    As brittle as it was it makes me think it needed tempering which would have likely brought the hardness back to those stock conditions... as such even plate quenching maynot wouldn't help it.
    maybe something like surface hardened by the induction method or Flame hardening method. (of course those would need to be tempered or "Stress Relieving" at 150-200C [302-392F] too)

  • @JamesChurchill3
    @JamesChurchill3 2 роки тому +1

    Ah man I can't believe you said don't do this at home. Now I can't fire up the industrial forge in my living room :(

  • @heathfrench3335
    @heathfrench3335 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Roy and Jess I thought the face would break off and fall apart like your idea but Im surprised the heel fell off, Merry christmas hopefully talk to you in the stream tomorrow

  • @christopherweigand7518
    @christopherweigand7518 2 роки тому +2

    would you do the drop test with mill scale taken off?

  • @thejackofalldans786
    @thejackofalldans786 2 роки тому +4

    i wasn't surprised by this at all, especially the hardy hole popping off like that, its cast so any amount of hardening will absolutely destroy the entegrity of the crystal structure, forged steel has a much tighter and consolidated structure and so when you harden it, it essentially interlaces the crystals almost like a rope interlaces threads to make a stronger item. Cast iron is like taking those threads and hanging something from them untwisted.

    • @DragonHide94
      @DragonHide94 2 роки тому +1

      First, cast does not mean cast iron. Second, forging does not consolidate material or "intertwine" the grain. Third, rope is not stronger because it is twisted.
      Iron is a crystal. It does not have long or stringy grains, it is more akin to sandstone or quartzite (metamorphic sandstone where to silicate grains grow together from being exposed to high heat). Casting has the potential to create voids or porosity from the process failing or being done improperly, but heat treatment itself can do far more to refine and homogenize the grain structure than "forging" can. Besides, what does it really mean to have a forged anvil? How did they create the billet in the first place? Are the feet, horn, heel, and face all welded onto the waist? Is it arc welded or forge welded? Are those perfect welds, or are they just as susseptible to failure as a cast anvil?
      A good anvil is a good piece of iron made well, regardless of the method used in it's construction.

    • @thejackofalldans786
      @thejackofalldans786 2 роки тому

      @@DragonHide94 ok first, I said Cast, not Cast IRON, I understand the difference, still like you said, hardening cast at all destroys any strength the metal had because of all the voids and the lack of consolidation of the grain of the crystals, you can see it when the hardy breaks off how large the crystal grain is
      the difference between cast and forged metal is the grain structure of the metal, forging tightens that structure and you get much more grains in a smaller area
      I used rope as an example because and I quote "The twist of the strands in a twisted or braided rope serves not only to keep a rope together, but enables the rope to more evenly distribute tension among the individual strands. Without any twist in the rope, the shortest strand(s) would always be supporting a much higher proportion of the total load."
      but i guess i should have used gems as an example, quartz is loose and not consolidated well, while diamond from heat and pressure is far harder.
      there's a difference here between hardness and strength though, the harder the steel the more brittle it becomes, the stronger the steel the more easily it bends.
      the best anvils are forged because you tighten up the grain structure, remove any possible voids in the steel and then can heat treat it to harden, cast may be able to be hardened but will not be as strong as forged steel, there's a reason steel swords are never made from castings.

    • @DragonHide94
      @DragonHide94 2 роки тому +2

      @@thejackofalldans786 I have neither the time, not the crayons to explain why everything you just said is wrong (except the rope because it was a quote from elsewhere).

  • @starhawke380
    @starhawke380 2 роки тому +3

    Paused at 55secs... My theory is that since H.F. puts out such quality products, the anvil will take a hardness of around 70 rockwell, but still have some spring in it so it doesnt shatter and give good rebound on the strikes.

  • @youtubeSuckssNow
    @youtubeSuckssNow 2 роки тому +1

    Never seen your videos before. But I love that wall/building

  • @kenny240
    @kenny240 2 роки тому +2

    You can hear some of the grain structure cracking during the quench. I’d much rather use a good forged anvil than harbor freight’s cast stuff. I know it’s cheaper, but if I’m gonna invest in an anvil, I’d rather buy something nicer, and buy it once than have to buy a cheap one over and over again. I’ve applied this logic to Allen wrenches (which we use daily in my line of work) and I spent $170 on 3 sets of really nice Japanese allens, and they still look brand new despite using them daily. When I was young and would buy cheap sets, I’d have to replace a cheap $15 set every 3 months or so. Which, over the course of the year would have paid for the 1 nice set that would have replaced. At roughly $50/set plus shipping, my colleagues have been using the same set of the nice ones for 15 years and they still look new to this day. So, when you buy quality the first time, you shouldn’t have to keep buying junk over and over again. Even if it saves in the short term, it’ll save even more in the long term to invest in the good stuff.

    • @signolias100
      @signolias100 2 роки тому

      it would have been better had they used oil instead of water to quench it

    • @dennisyoung4631
      @dennisyoung4631 2 роки тому

      @@signolias100 maybe.
      Would have been better if they’d gotten some railroad rail…. Hope to get some railroad rail myself.

  • @piousminion7822
    @piousminion7822 2 роки тому +4

    I'd try redoing it and partially case harden the top. i.e. add more carbon/hardness. You'd think cast iron would have TONS of carbon, but it's probably cast steel.

  • @mtn.homeforge351
    @mtn.homeforge351 2 роки тому

    I don't believe you put the camera above it during the quench. You're braver than me Lol Have a merry Christmas

  • @JB-ro3sz
    @JB-ro3sz 2 роки тому +1

    that barn looks like a great summer shop but not so much of a winter shop. 😃

  • @billssmithy7352
    @billssmithy7352 2 роки тому

    Totally off-subject question. I've seen several smiths using copper sheeting in vises to protect their work from scratches and marks. What thickness copper sheeting do you recommend?

  • @Kurogane_666
    @Kurogane_666 2 роки тому

    I have a 11 kg Anvil that is quite soft I was actually thinking about doing this putting into my furnace and then quenching it then tempering it back in my house oven I'm intrigued to see what your videos like I haven't watched it yet I decided to comment first

  • @lucasblizzard7261
    @lucasblizzard7261 2 роки тому

    That was a great example of a stress riser tho. Right at the hard corners of the Hardy hole.

  • @torchofkck4989
    @torchofkck4989 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you
    &
    Merry Christmas.
    How many requests did you have
    for forge welding steel plate to
    the H.F. anvil ?

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому +1

      Merry Christmas And maybe enough to test ? 🤔

    • @danbell3827
      @danbell3827 2 роки тому

      I've heard of people welding plates on, always assumed they meant arc welding. (and quite a few did, I suppose). Somehow The thought never occurred to me that you could forge weld it. That might actually be the best possible "upgrade", short of selling it and buying a better anvil.

    • @markhenrikson9790
      @markhenrikson9790 2 роки тому

      I am still very new to anything other than some stick and MIG welding but I have always heard that you can't weld cast iron. Is forge welding different in that respect?

    • @danbell3827
      @danbell3827 2 роки тому +2

      @@markhenrikson9790 You can weld cast, but it is not easy to do, well beyond the abilities and equipment of your average amateur welder. As for forge welding, My understanding is you can bond pretty much any metals that you can get hot enough, and can keep from forming scale/oxide, but there could be some that don't work.

  • @cannotequaltoshould4911
    @cannotequaltoshould4911 2 роки тому +4

    it seems folks are conflating cast iron with steel. From my understanding you cannot harden cast iron. you need a hardenable steel so the only way to harden this anvil would be to melt it down, add carbon and other elements for the steel alloy of choice and then recast.

    • @artsmith100
      @artsmith100 2 роки тому +4

      Cast iron has MORE carbon than steel, not less. That makes it brittle, which is why it's unsuitable as an anvil.

    • @oddjobbob8742
      @oddjobbob8742 2 роки тому

      Case iron can be case hardened.

  • @slanwar
    @slanwar 2 роки тому +5

    I welded a steel plate (stick, nickel and then I just mig welded to look good) on top then drilled holes on top and screwed a few big screws I had around, then just grinded the screw heads and filled any hole with my mig.

    • @chrisallen9154
      @chrisallen9154 2 роки тому

      Screwed or bolted? They are two entirely different fasteners.

    • @slanwar
      @slanwar 2 роки тому

      @@chrisallen9154 bolted

  • @MrMikeT89
    @MrMikeT89 2 роки тому +1

    Paused the video when you said:
    Would love to see it explode in the quench but I predict it just wont harden well

  • @desmcdowell2469
    @desmcdowell2469 2 роки тому

    Could you successfully do this with a cast steel "acciaio" anvil if you weren't happy with the surface hardness? I have a few which I'm happy with but recently purchased a 110lb and the surface isn't very hard. Very little rebound and dents really easily. Just wondering if it can be improved or would I destroy it in the process. Thanks

  • @RobertWainright
    @RobertWainright Рік тому

    have youbtried milling down the flat area and welding on a hardened steel?

  • @markkwasny9650
    @markkwasny9650 2 роки тому +1

    The HF anvil makes a great door stop!

  • @KatanaGuy
    @KatanaGuy 2 роки тому +4

    Why not clean off the junk on the face before testing? I really thought it would crack and come apart.

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому

      Would of but then you wouldn't of been able to see the scratch test results with the glare from the studio lighting...

    • @oddjobbob8742
      @oddjobbob8742 2 роки тому +2

      @@ChristCenteredIronworks wrong answer.

  • @paulpipitone8357
    @paulpipitone8357 2 роки тому +1

    Questions, how thick is the top plate at what temp did you heat it to, how long did you allow the anvil to soak at that temperature.... these will all effect the hardness, including the material type. ASM has good guidelines to follow....

  • @Neuman357
    @Neuman357 2 роки тому

    I have 2 HF anvils. One Russian 100lb anvil purchased in 2007 that rings like a bell with some rebound and the other is 55lbs of iron slag compressed into a rough anvil shape.

    • @artsmith100
      @artsmith100 2 роки тому +2

      The Russian anvils are solid performers.

  • @jaysanders7472
    @jaysanders7472 8 місяців тому +1

    The best thing I have found is to have an H13 plate welded to the top of it

  • @chuckaddison5134
    @chuckaddison5134 2 роки тому

    Question; if you coated the surface with a mixture of clay and carbon then heated it up and let it soak to absorb some of the carbon. Then cooled and removed the clay then hardened it. Would that work or is the grain structure just too course?

  • @countryboy_robby
    @countryboy_robby 2 роки тому +1

    Merry Christmas to you and your family

    • @ChristCenteredIronworks
      @ChristCenteredIronworks  2 роки тому

      Thank you And merry Christmas to you and your family as well 🎅🏼🎅🏼🎄🎄🌨️🌨️

  • @dewaynewhitney5703
    @dewaynewhitney5703 2 роки тому

    Could you weld on a 1in thick steel plate for it to work better. I have access to getting pieces of steel that thick up to 3in thick. Just asking before I go asking to get a chunk out of there recycle bin.

  • @jamesyoung7560
    @jamesyoung7560 Рік тому +1

    15-20 years ago I bought a 110 lb "made in Russia" anvil from HF and it is a gem; great hammer rebound and it rings like a (high pitched) bell. The only weird thing about it is that the hardy hole is rotated 45 degrees so that end-to-end it looks like a diamond instead of a square.

  • @dannyarrowheadstalker3054
    @dannyarrowheadstalker3054 2 роки тому +1

    I have one of these weights. I was going to add an inch of Hard face welding rods to improve the rebound. Either that, or weld a chunk of much better steel on top.

    • @danielthompson6207
      @danielthompson6207 2 роки тому +2

      I'd go with the plate of steel over the welding rods, as you can do it pretty quickly running a single bead along each of the four sides instead of welding several rods in place. That's what I did with my 55lb HF anvil and it has been working like a charm for almost a decade now.

    • @dannyarrowheadstalker3054
      @dannyarrowheadstalker3054 2 роки тому

      @@danielthompson6207 I had the same thought after posting the comment. 4 welding rods would be better than 100 welding rods.

  • @thomasgoodemoot
    @thomasgoodemoot 2 роки тому

    What a fun test I was hoping it would explode when we put in the water

  • @FinallyMe78
    @FinallyMe78 2 роки тому

    Can you weld a thick chunk of steel on the top surface?

  • @elijahfincher72
    @elijahfincher72 2 роки тому

    That is crazy I'm going to take your advice and not quench my anvil. Without your videos I would have destroyed my forge THANK YOU!!!

  • @koreyhughes671
    @koreyhughes671 Рік тому

    I know this may be A stupid question but I'm just starting out and yeah.. is that water your quenching the anvil in? do you always use water or do you use a oil quench? Which do you think is better and why?

  • @stephenfaulkner1448
    @stephenfaulkner1448 2 роки тому

    I’m not experienced at all at hardening metal. But would it not be better to fully submerge the Anville to cool it faster? Seems it cooled very slow just barely being submerged at the top of the oil. Again. Just curious.

  • @vincentpaynecole
    @vincentpaynecole 2 роки тому

    I would be interested to see what might happen if you got the whole anvil in the quench. The face being harder around the edges makes me think the mass kept the centre from cooling quick enough.

  • @joeclick4912
    @joeclick4912 Рік тому

    Would welding tool steel plate to top be good alternative

  • @rahtorenripcore1699
    @rahtorenripcore1699 2 роки тому

    OK few people for HF anvil stated there softness. What cast iron anvil used for then?

  • @justin_ray
    @justin_ray 2 роки тому

    Good knowledge to gain second hand. I'm guessing that super quench wouldn't do any better.

  • @ericrichardson3332
    @ericrichardson3332 2 роки тому

    Also with hardening metals most metals need to be tempered back as they would be to brittle and shatter if struck or dropped from a distance . It kinda makes me think the casting got hard but because its cast it is easy to break when hard so that's why they leave them soft anvils , my question would be can you weld a solid high carbon steel to the anvil and harden the piece of high carbon steel ? Oh and oil quench or water quench with bigger pieces you would want to warm the quenching liquid before your hot metal goes in for a dip

  • @saikawanderer9166
    @saikawanderer9166 2 роки тому +1

    I've got the 50 pound i think, plenty for what i need it to do. Throws the six pound sledge back up some. Hasnt cracked. Once I've got the money its definitely gonna be a back up though.

  • @exgi76gmailcom
    @exgi76gmailcom 2 роки тому

    Could you place a hardened plate about three inches thick then secure it to the top and use it for your anvil then ?

  • @shaynecarter-murray3127
    @shaynecarter-murray3127 2 роки тому

    Would welding a sheet of hard steel to the cheap anvil accomish anything?

  • @gramursowanfaborden5820
    @gramursowanfaborden5820 2 роки тому

    i'd like to see a video on hardfacing one of these anvils by forge welding some nice steel to the top. i've been considering doing that with my bottom-end cast iron anvil and using some spring steel.

    • @scotttod6954
      @scotttod6954 2 роки тому

      I have seen people do a pass of transition rod and then a layer of tool steel rod welded to the face and the results were great. Like 500% improvement. It really gave life to the HF anvil.

  • @mytech6779
    @mytech6779 Рік тому

    Something that thick really needs a coolant circulation pump. Your going to get soft spots from steam pockets and generally poor quench in the critical range without a direct impingement from a fast flow [jet] of coolant regardless of base coolant temp or type. I'm curious about getting it hot like that but applying an air hardening, or work hardening, hardfacing layer with a torch with a light quench. Though it may cost more for good hardfacing material and torch gas than the anvil is worth. (Not talking about the common no name stuff used on a half crippled backhoe, there are special formulas for each sort of wear and hardness need.)
    The better way to do cast iron is to cast it in a mold with a chill block insert to make a white iron layer on the top. I don't know if it is possible [or practical] to form white iron with heat treatment of the solid object after casting. Maybe some sort of process that melts a thin surface layer and lets the bulk self-chill. The down side is that a white iron top would need surface grinding rather than a fast pass machining. White iron was traditionally popular for the tire of train wheels and plow shares meant for sandy soil (high abrasive).

  • @SHammyhead
    @SHammyhead 2 роки тому +1

    we just put a hardened steel plate on top of ours to make it more useable. I also have one and use it for leatherworking. it's perfect for that. lol but yea it's more of a soft Hobbie anvil than a smith one.

  • @CaudillsCustomWork
    @CaudillsCustomWork 2 роки тому

    Whats the difference in cast iron and ductile iron? Is ductile iron an ok anvil?

  • @phillipcarden7027
    @phillipcarden7027 2 роки тому

    By heating and pounding it could you get wrought iron?

  • @BohumirZamecnik
    @BohumirZamecnik Рік тому

    Did you temper it after quenching? Maybe it would not fall off after the hammer strike.

  • @hellzs
    @hellzs 2 роки тому

    i had a good turn out when i just welded a new face on to it but i was fully aware that it was at best meeh and just wanted something that wasn't terrible with a hard face.

  • @billymitchem5256
    @billymitchem5256 2 роки тому

    What did you quinch in water or oil

  • @Cortalpsychmajor
    @Cortalpsychmajor 2 роки тому +1

    My guess is it cracks at the very least, I'll be legitimately surprised if it survives. I have one of the 15 pound harbor freight anvils, (started out with it, then moved up to a 70lb NC tool anvil) I would not trust that with a quench.

  • @johngibson7307
    @johngibson7307 Рік тому

    Is it possible to some how case harden it

  • @752brickie
    @752brickie 2 роки тому +1

    Tom you broke his anvil!

  • @redbloodedamerican3
    @redbloodedamerican3 2 роки тому +1

    Just my 2 cents, but that was a bad quench. Quenching items with a lot of mass need to be agitated to prevent a steam barrier. Steam barrier gives a very slow quench preventing hardness

  • @petereinhardt
    @petereinhardt 2 роки тому

    Did you temper the anvil after hardening?

  • @699hazard
    @699hazard 2 роки тому

    Can you hard face the anvil surface using a welder? Essentially welding a new surface on it?

  • @adcaptandumvulgus4252
    @adcaptandumvulgus4252 Рік тому

    is welding a steel plate on top an option?

  • @stevenlarsen1691
    @stevenlarsen1691 2 роки тому

    You need carbon to harden. They used to dip it in cyanide. Also, sugar and walnut shells were used. Harbor Freight has some excellent tools if you use them correctly. I have a thirteen-foot
    fishing boat and the Harbor Freight anvil has worked very well as an anchor for years. I have seen them work great for doorstops. If you don't misuse their tools they will last you for years.

  • @FallenAnvilForge
    @FallenAnvilForge 2 роки тому +2

    You killed it, then again, it was half dead when you bought it. lol

  • @cyrillevogler4065
    @cyrillevogler4065 2 роки тому +2

    i feel like if you moved the anvil around while quenching it might be harder. do you think it would make a difference?

    • @Dannysoutherner
      @Dannysoutherner 2 роки тому +4

      Physics - you can't do anything with cast iron far as heat treating goes. Best you can do is break it like they did - cast iron is super brittle as it is - heating it glowing hot and drowning it will assure you of a break - just like dumping cold water into a well overheated motor block.

    • @danbell3827
      @danbell3827 2 роки тому +1

      Yes and no. With cast iron, it's a lost cause. In general, though, you are 100% correct. The lydenfrost effect forms a "pocket" of steam around the anvil, preventing it from further cooling it. Historically, anvils were often quenched under running water, often a waterfall or "shower" type rig. Even moving it around helps break up the pocket, but fast moving water is better.

    • @oddjobbob8742
      @oddjobbob8742 2 роки тому +1

      You’re exactly right Cyrille. The quenching method was suspect. And there should have been a water hose dumping in cold water to offset the temperature rise from the anvil. You wouldn’t quench a knife blade in a champagne flute filled with water.
      Quenching that much cast iron in any case is probably not a good idea. But if you’re going to do the test, it should’ve be done under the best conditions possible. Especially since doing the quench correctly would have required so little effort.
      Removing the scale prior to the hardness test should have been done, as well.
      Finally the anvil plate should have been tempered.

    • @Dannysoutherner
      @Dannysoutherner 2 роки тому

      @@oddjobbob8742 I expect if someone really wanted to they could have a tool steel plate forge welded to the HF anvil. My old Fisher is made that way, tool steel plate on cast iron body. Nice anvil, no ring so I don't get run out of my neighborhood.
      Far as quenching goes, just for fun, what about hot water or salted water? May be less shock to the cast iron.

    • @oddjobbob8742
      @oddjobbob8742 2 роки тому

      @@Dannysoutherner thank you for commenting to my post.
      As far as the thermal shock goes, I think the UA-cam would seem to indicate the HF anvil was able to handle the thermal shock. Of course is the scale had been cleaned from the metal some heat shock introduces flaws might have been seen.
      I wish the Priducer of this excellent UA-cam had treated the subject as a heat treatment experiment rather than hardening alone. I would have liked to have seen the outcome if the anvil had been properly cleaned and tempered.

  • @TVPiles
    @TVPiles 2 роки тому

    Let me suggest another method: how about case hardening it in charcoal (probably enclosed in clay) and after hardening tempering it to straw yellow?

  • @bassist2065
    @bassist2065 2 роки тому

    My guess is that it’ll end up breaking apart because it’s made from low quality material.
    Would it be feasible to weld a hard piece of steel to the top of it instead?

  • @shabadooshabadoo4918
    @shabadooshabadoo4918 Рік тому

    So, is it the carbon content that's too low? Or is it just hard to heat because its a giant mass of metal?

  • @robertlonis9350
    @robertlonis9350 2 роки тому

    Cool video! How about we do Olga next 🤣♥️👍

  • @gaaranosuna1790
    @gaaranosuna1790 2 роки тому +1

    My guess is as soon as you put it in the oil it does the usual bubble and smoke maybe some flames then it cracks

  • @maarkaus48
    @maarkaus48 2 роки тому

    What if you built the top up with hard weld?