Repairing an anvil face

[Joe Brincat]

I need to build up the edges of the steel top plate on an anvil. The top plate is in good condition except for warn and chipped edges. I understand that this can be done by welding? Any recommendations on the procedure and proper rod to use?
I did a search here and found one old thread but don't know if that info is current.
Thanks
Joe B

[Coolhand Luke]

I have a book, "The Blacksmith's Craft", by Charles McRaven that deals with this subject

[TerryJay]

Go to Iforgeiron.com look in the blue prints section and there is one on anvil repair, the rod to use and the step by step repair

[Cal Blacksmith]

I am again going to say something that some people won't like.

If you have an anvil with a forge welded face, please leave it alone and don't try to weld to repair it. It earned it's scars the hard way and has lived to tell the story. If rounded edges bother you (and they are indeed much more useful than square-sharp edges) or there are chips that don't go more than a quarter inch or so into the anvil, just use a grinder and smooth them out so there isn't a stress point to start a fracture.

When you try to "repair" an anvil by welding, regardless of the arc rod used, preheat used etc, you WILL soften and ruin the temper of the steel NEXT to the weld, there is no way around it. In my never humble opinion, :P this causes more damage than you had to start with.

I have a wonderful 109# forged arm and hammer (not a vulcan cast anvil) made in 1901 that was badly chipped and thus it had a low selling price. I brought it home and with a few hours time and a die grinder, I smoothed out the chips (from the sides of the anvil, not from the top!) and now I use the anvil on a regular basis and it is a sweet, sweet anvil.

It will, with proper use, last for another hundred years, no arc welding required.

[JHFoster]

Quote from post #4

"If rounded edges bother you (and they are indeed much more useful than square-sharp edges)"

I have never seen a problem with rounded edges. I say leave her alone.