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Just found out some old anvils were made with a steel face welded to a cast iron body
Read it in a 1930s catalog from a tool supplier in Pittsburgh. Anyone know how to spot one of these hybrids versus a solid steel anvil?
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the_richard9d ago
Wow, that's a cool find. How would you even test for that without damaging the anvil? I'd be worried about hidden cracks in the weld.
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beth_stone9d ago
Actually, you can test it without hurting the anvil at all. A simple ring test with a hammer tells you a lot, and a good light and a magnifying glass can show surface cracks. @the_richard, the real worry isn't usually the weld itself on these old ones, it's often a hidden crack in the cast iron body below it. That's what makes them tricky. Have you ever tried the ball bearing test to check the face?
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henrybaker6d ago
Read an article once that said to look for a faint line around the edge of the face, like a seam. The ring test @the_richard mentioned is key, a solid steel anvil has a clear ring that lasts, but these hybrids often sound dead or flat. Also, check the sides near the base for any old repairs or filler material, that can be a sign of a crack in the cast iron body. I'd be extra careful buying any anvil with a super clean face but a weirdly dull sound.
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