I need An Anvil

GuvamintCheese

What is a good replacement for an anvil? I'm going to try to hammer some copper into bowls and need an anvil.

Locust Fork

Those things are actually pretty pricey! I'm always hearing about people finding old ones that are "worth a fortune"....but I'm not one of those people. I never get out and find anything much any more....not cool things like anvils anyway.

FrancF

Air driven Planish hammer.

bigoutside

quote:Originally posted by GuvamintCheese
What is a good replacement for an anvil? I'm going to try to hammer some copper into bowls and need an anvil.


You don't need an anvil.

I suspect an anvil may be the LAST tool you'd want for that task.

searcher5

You can turn a shortish piece of railroad rail into a decent small anvil, economically.

Idahobound

I use a chunk of rail that my uncle Pete gave me.

perry shooter

Listen to Forgemonkey Anvil NOT the tool you need for your use.

bigoutside

http://youtu.be/0dKZ4cK78EQ

FrancF

quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
Those things are actually pretty pricey! I'm always hearing about people finding old ones that are "worth a fortune"....but I'm not one of those people. I never get out and find anything much any more....not cool things like anvils anyway.


Good money in old ones hardly used. My co-worker found a #250 Trenton $300.00 seller did not know what he had.

FrancF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK0oGJEf1Hk

mateomasfeo

quote:Originally posted by GuvamintCheese
What is a good replacement for an anvil?


DCON's forehead...

Marc1301

I doubt he wants a bowl with the impression of Don's forehead in it.

Oakie

quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by GuvamintCheese
What is a good replacement for an anvil?


DCON's forehead...


Damnit, you beat me to it. [}:)][}:)][}:)]

bigt7mm

Aleve works better.

He Dog

Join the Boy Scouts and working on the copper crafts merit badge?

guns-n-painthorses

Well I do a little silversmithing work and I can tell you that a blocking anvil is what you need. These are made out of wood logs about a foot and a half round by 2 feet tall. Square ends so it will stand up, concave the end to hammer and shape your bowl. I have one in the shop and it works great. Maybe post a pic later.

dcs shooters

quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by GuvamintCheese
What is a good replacement for an anvil?


DCON's forehead...


Won't work.................................













Too many ZITS [:0][:D]

jltrent

A good anvil is handy as I have one in my junk hole. It is in the lower right of the picture. I have beat the hel out of it through the years.

bartman45

The Roadrunner always had good luck with one made by "Acme"..........

Mobuck

Last fall, I fashioned a custom sized piece of round tube from a scrap of 1/8" sheet steel using a chunk of 8" channel iron. I wouldn't recommend trying this with copper. A large heavy gauge disk blade backed by sand would work. The key is the correct hammer when using soft metal like copper.

USN_Airdale

quote:Originally posted by searcher5
You can turn a shortish piece of railroad rail into a decent small anvil, economically.




that is exactly what i done, about 39 years ago.

bigcitybill

quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Copper is fairly soft, a leather or canvas bag filled with shot or sand may suffice.

The hammers to use will be important.


Yep. A sandbag and raising hammer is what you need.

hillbille

round over the end of a log the size of the bowl you want,lay copper on, hammer away...................

lew07

Ive done this on a course.We used little leather cushions filled with fine sand and highly pollished hammers.The secret is not to be in a rush.Rotate the metal leaving it on the cushion just a little tap turning it as You go.Little and often is the way to go[:)]

dreher

If you really want an anvil, look for a Trenton. If you want something to beat on, the railroad track works good but I'm guessing Forge Monkey's advice is the best!

GuvamintCheese

Ok no Anvil. Im going to make copper rounded caps for the dock pilings.

I also need two bigger copper bowls for the rain chain down spouts. The chains are much prettier than downspouts but they are also messier at the bottom from some rain splashing out. Need to cut a hole in the bottom of the copper bowl for water to drain into the yard drain.

Harbor freight has a plenishing hammer for $100 I think it will save my arm a bunch of hammer swings if I can learn to use it. I will bend the edges over as suggested. I appreciate all the input.

GuvamintCheese

quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
http://youtu.be/0dKZ4cK78EQ
Thanks for that.

Mobuck

round over the end of a log the size of the bowl you want,lay copper on, hammer away

I think you need to go the other way. Stretching the center into a depression will work better-just my opinion.