Work Station ideas

kbaknife · September 15, 2009, 08:53:00 PM

Thought maybe this might give somebody an idea or two.
Whenever someone undertakes the first few steps into knife forging, it seems like the first thing sought is an anvil.
Big surprise!
Not easy to find, and a new one is serious expensive!
The first one I bought cost me $900.00.
The things you will see here are basically scrap!
Keep in mind that the importance of an anvil is NOT just something to beat steel on.
The weight of the anvil is designed to RETURN the energy of the blow to the back side of the workpiece.
With a light piece of steel as an anvil, the energy of the hammer blow just passes right on through the work piece and is consumed by the earth below.
Here is a concept using a large piece of scrap steel and a piece of railroad track.
When a lot of guys are told to use a piece of RR track, they get one and then use it WRONG!
It should be stood on end so that the entire mass of the track is directly BELOW the hammer blow.
This set-up I made here also works as a work station to forge the "Brut-de-Forge" knives, as it can be rolled around the shop and located right next to the forge, and then rolled out of the way until needed again.
I have also used this for twisting Damascus and wrought iron. I use the vise to straighten my blades, just unlimited uses in the forge area.
It can also be loaded up into a truck or onto a trailer and taken to hammer-ins!!!
Just get to a recyle yard somewhere in your neigborhood and find a chunk of HEAVY steel to set on top of a piece of RR track.
Find a buddy who does some welding.
The base is 5/8" steel plate. I figure the whole thing weighs in at around 325 pounds.
I got lucky on the placement of the wheels - it balances perfectly for tilting back and rolling around the shop.

Ray Hammond · September 15, 2009, 09:53:00 PM

Karl,
that's a tremendous idea. Quite inventive. Thanks for sharing.

Steve Nuckels · September 15, 2009, 11:36:00 PM

Great Idea! I have been pondering how to utilize my leg vise!

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IN GOD WE TRUST

cdworks · September 16, 2009, 01:37:00 AM

i really like this idea.... i am wanting ot try my luck at a file knife soon but i dont plan on forging one yet but this is really helpful for future reference...Thanks!

SoNevada Archer · September 16, 2009, 05:05:00 AM

Man, I love your setup!

OconeeDan · September 16, 2009, 07:35:00 AM

That is nice Karl, thanks for sharing that.

I would love to see a video of you loading that into your truck!

Dan

pdubya · September 16, 2009, 09:35:00 AM

Just curious, why did you bolt I beam and top slab of metal to RR track instead of welding. Great pics and ideas, I need to go scavenging.

kbaknife · September 16, 2009, 10:08:00 AM

I try to think ahead.
I can disassemble this - to some degree - to facilitate loading and unloading.

Lin Rhea · September 16, 2009, 10:18:00 AM

I tried to think, but nothin happened.

That's a good idea you got there Karl. Lin

Squirrel Bait · September 16, 2009, 01:36:00 PM

Hey Ray, I guess you want one of them huh!!!????

Ray Hammond · September 16, 2009, 06:47:00 PM

that's quite a rig, isn't it, Mike?

kbaknife · September 16, 2009, 08:05:00 PM

Ray, THAT won't fit in a Flat Rate box.

Steve Nuckels · September 17, 2009, 10:37:00 AM

Karl, very innovative! I like the way you think.

By the way I hope to get the "BB Chairman" I got from you bloody soon! I love that knife!

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IN GOD WE TRUST

Squirrel Bait · September 17, 2009, 06:38:00 PM

Yeah Ray , COOL! Bro Ray, I'll see what I can come up with. Have you got your Anvil from SC yet?

Steve Nuckels · September 19, 2009, 09:49:00 PM

Karl, I have a big piece of steel, not quite as thick as the one on your work station but about two times the surface area, and around 80 lbs. Would you recommend mounting it on RR track as you did, or could I mount it on stacked lumber base, or a tree trunk section?

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IN GOD WE TRUST