Hi I’m new to the blacksmithing I’ve seen lots of videos offering advice on what you can use until you can afford a proper anvil and from my research a large solid block of steel seems to be my best option. Is there anywhere in the uk I can go other than standard scrap yard to find a Decent block and is there anything I should be looking for when selecting my temp block of steel? Cheers in advanced Jason
I am not familiar with UK metal sources, but the scrapyard is a universal treasure trove no matter where you live. You want to have decent mass, though just starting out you don’t need a 150 lb (about 68kg) chunk of steel, you can get by with something much smaller until you start moving up to larger workpieces. Take some ball bearings or a ball peen with you and check for rebound, chances of finding a hardened tool plate are pretty slim but mild steel will get you by for years with proper care.
Also, if you have a legal source, railroad track is what i started out using, and it works just fine. My neighbor is a metal sculptor of 50+ years and hes had the same piece of track the whole time. Beware though, in the US taking anything away from railroad property is a federal crime (nowadays they even get homeland security involved), and I would assume that it is similar in the UK.
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I have a legit anvil but sometimes for kicks I’ll use what I used before my anvil: a surprisingly hard and flat natural rock on a tree stump (Haven’t even chipped it). But yeah I’d go with the steel block as well.
Man I have to see that!!
As soon as I get home I’ll show ya
Probably could find an old railroad tracks from all the old tracks in or out of town. Yours is cool
Appreciate it! I have not seen anyone use it upside down. It makes more sense to me because of the wider work area. I welded up a hardy hole from a round pipe, put in a square pipe and welded away.
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That is extremely cool and primitive! As long as it works good. Now I want one!!
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