First Fire: Rail Plate and Sledgehammer anvil

[@shadetreeforge]

Use what ever ya got! Since all my "GOOD" equipment are in quarantine at the club, I'm using a block of D2 steel, a charcoal grill, hair dryer, vise grips and a cheapo carpenters hammer just as I did 20 years ago when I 1st started in the hobby...

[@michaelhayes1678]

Thanks for encouraging people to try something with what is locally available. Me, encouraging me to use what I have. Thanks!

[@wayneheitz8390]

I started on a large sledgehammer and a charcoal forge with no money invested. I fell in love with the craft from there. Still in a humble shop but building tools up slowly. Thank you for showing the open minded version and inspiring people.

[@IslandMetalForge]

Gotta keep an open mind!

[@Lesnz2009]

I think those who have kept commenting in a negative or argumentive manner have either not been listening or are just making mischief because they have nothing better to do. For me you are making things very clear and easy to understand...also you show what you mean with examples which reinforces what you are saying...Liked the video and unstand what you are talkign about and who it is pitched at, thanks again for sharing.

[@IslandMetalForge]

Glad its helpful 🤙🤙

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Your doin a great thing by not just throwing these facts out there but showing people how, and how well certain things can work

[@IslandMetalForge]

Thanks Neil, hopefully they spread through the community a bit... might encourage people to start rather than listen to those saying something can't be done without a ____. Ya know?

[@20mcarroll02]

When I made my first rr track anvil years ago, I used the tie plate under it and used rr spikes to anchor it down. And built the stand out of rr ties...lol. used one of the outer holes for a hardy hole. Worked great. I could see a large sledgehammer head making an excellent beginner option. Infact, I have a 16 pounder that I use in the edge of my coal forge for setting forge welds in small stock that would otherwise cool before I could get to my anvil . Really enjoying this series. Brings back memories of when I first started.

[@IslandMetalForge]

I am finding that most start with or have used rails at one point or another... glad I could send ya down memory lane! Spread the word! Yamez is trying ta teach people lol

[@BarrRunForge]

Thanks for your work to help with beginner options. Good series. Hope to see you tomorrow night.

[@IslandMetalForge]

I will try... 5 central?

[@BarrRunForge]

Island Metal Forge yes sir.

[@GWIRailroad]

Another great video Yamez, with so much helpful information to get started. Thanks for all you do Wayne

[@GreenBeeBlacksmithing]

The other thing about the sledgehammer head is that it's very much like Viking-style anvils. They weren't that large either.

[@IslandMetalForge]

Exactly

[@OKBushcraft]

Ungabunga, an official blacksmithing term.Meaning: to place Umph, Muscle, or Brute Strength into a small area to squish hot steel into a different shape.

[@IslandMetalForge]

#caveman

[@augiezehner6059]

That’s a great idea to use the square hole in the rail plate for small hardys

[@drason69]

I'll argue, that you are doing a great job, demonstrating the options. Thanks Yamez! 😀👍👍⚒️❤️

[@IslandMetalForge]

Thank you Drason

[@jackdawg4579]

cheers Yamez, these are good little instructive videos. So sick of keyboard warriors dissing any attempt by newbies to have a go because they have a 200 year old wrought iron anvil...

[@IslandMetalForge]

That is exactly what these are for. Thanks Jack

[@michaelrobertson8795]

You're right there Yamez!!, if I had to go and use a bumper of a truck or whatever Rock I can find to get it done👍👍👍✌

[@IslandMetalForge]

Exactly!

[@traildust55]

...of just many things to try. I haven't always been in my shop when I needed to do something...

[@dwwoodbuilds]

Great job Yamez! Glad you are doing this series on beginner anvil options, its been needed! As to controversy, remember, ALL comments are engagement and the YT algorithm loves engagement! You clearly stated who your target audience is. Looking forward to that harbor freight anvil video! :)

[@IslandMetalForge]

Thanks! The harbor freight is already out!

[@johnjude2685]

Great interdiction to a great Hobby that might grow into a job. But I thank you for giving a hands up. Thanks for teaching Sir

[@rwdyeriii]

Awesome ideas. Thank you for the video.

[@IslandMetalForge]

No problem man! Good luck!

[@WhiteSheetCoverUp1]

Fantastic idea. You have saved me stress and money!! Thank you. What I might try doing is cut my sledgehammer head in half and use the other half as a swage block

[@IslandMetalForge]

Glad to help , hope it works for ya!

[@duaneaubuchon9453]

I have one of the rail plates but thanks for all that you do sir!!!

[@johnjude2685]

I would think my 16# sleadge would be better for pounding than the harbor freight and yes I would need a block of steel for a broad surface. Just find a way

[@sdjnwhyNZ]

Looking at the steel plate, I'm thinking of using the old brake drum from my light duty truck as an anvil.

[@masongrainger2271]

How's your experience been with the brake drum anvil so far?

[@astrataway7077]

I tried something similar I guess.. it's kinda goofy but instead of a rail plate I used one of those cast iron gas caps that make great ashtrays you find near the street curb in front of houses. I tried mounting it with wood and shims didn't work, cemented it and turned to dust. The last way I used 4 little square soft railing iron rods and even softer transformer E core plates as shims and hammered that crap in there FOREVER. I also cut the peen off one end just quarter inch because I want a flat surface to make all kinds of files.

[@liquidminddesign1367]

I like how you are testing and comparing all the different subs back to back. Let's me choose well for my purposes while I save that anvil money.

[@IslandMetalForge]

Yeahman, the idea is to get started so you know what works and what to expect as you learn.

[@mattpaulsen8299]

Good video for someone wanting to start but not knowing how or where, nice job bro. Question not related to the video, does your arm get tired fast with the tong reins that far apart? That would kill me. 😉

[@IslandMetalForge]

Honestly I prefer a bit of separation, I have used tongs that go to almost touching and I always feel just on the edge of control... and to answer your question, it doesn't bother me at all...as long as I'm not over stretching my hand... it's all good.

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

Great content....truely showcases the usefulness of these alternative items. Just curious do you need to temper backh a sledge hammer head b4 using it ad an anvil?? Will a hard hammer against a hard head cause issues?? 🙏 Blessings abundant sirSir Crawford out ⚒️🧙‍♂️

[@IslandMetalForge]

Not sure... I would think that the heat of forging on it may temper it over time....

[@stanervin6108]

Found a sledgehammer head (25 pounds) last fall that a Nicholson 12" file won't scratch. Only marks on it are: USA 25 (a triangle within a circle) Was wondering if it would be worth the effort to anneal, cut into 4 pieces, and reforge into hammers?

[@IslandMetalForge]

Honestly, save that and use it for what it is... you never know when you may need a large head like that... treadle hammer, large striking hammer... ect... hammer stock is easier to come by than most people think and a year from now you will be drowning in hammer material and wish you had the 25lb head to build a tool with.

[@caomunistadoggo4129]

I bought one sledge hammer to use as anvil, because the cheapest anvil in my city was more than 2000BRL, the sledge hammer was only 200BRL. Since I'm in a budget I can't afford a real anvil right now, but it will work, at least for my first knives.

[@caomunistadoggo4129]

Translating BRL to USD, the anvil would cost 384,60USD and the sledgehammer was only 38,46USD.

[@DBacaMaker]

So true. just look at my first attempts! Pure comedy there but I had enough success to keep going.

[@brysonalden5414]

I have never had a customer ask me what kind of anvil I used. If it works, and the product looks good and functions, who gives a rip?

[@IslandMetalForge]

Right!

[@nightsquatchprepper6965]

Were can i legally get a peace of rail road track

[@IslandMetalForge]

That is a great question. There are a few ways, sometimes a lucky find at a scrap yard, or a mechanics, welding shop, or anyone with a shop that works with metal usually come by some over the years... you can contact the railroad authority in your area and ask if they have any scrap pieces... I will not however say that I got my piece in the woods near some rural tracks, I will also not say that I had to park on the side of the highway and had to drag all 200lbs of it through the woods and a drainage ditch and chuck it in the back of my truck... no I won't say that... As you meet people in this craft, things like anvils, and such will tend to find you... as people you may already know learn what you're looking for you never know what they may have in their garage.

[@nightsquatchprepper6965]

@@IslandMetalForge lol thank you soooo very much you are so helpful. Me and .y 13 year old son and my 70 year old dad is wanting to get started in this we want to keep this ancient art alive like you. There is just not enough people out there these days are willing to get dirty and sweat and make things with there two hands and i want to teach my son a job done with your hands is a job well done and a paycheck well earned. Thank you so very much when ever im able to afford a real anvil this rail road track will work just fine for us bless you and please keep up the good work and your great and educational videos

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Yep yet again more viable options.

[@liambaker3617]

Bro, I gotta know. Why did you use axe wedges on the side of your beam for the plate anvil? I mean, you can make your own wedges all day I'm sure but...

[@IslandMetalForge]

Are you talking about the metal wedges that are on the magnet? If you are, those come with the hammer handle blanks I buy... if I can't find em when I handle a hammer, yeah I make my own, but when I get em for free, why not use em.

[@liambaker3617]

@@IslandMetalForge oh okay it's a magnet. I had a burned moment there. Got yourself another subscriber BTW👌

[@IslandMetalForge]

@@liambaker3617 right on man! Thanks! I hope to be back to doing edited videos again soon... been insanely busy lately... I will however keep doing my weekly livestreams. 🤙🤙

[@mountaincrittercreations2596]

This,that and other things First lol

[@IslandMetalForge]

🤙🤙🤙

[@masongrainger2271]

Unga bunga your hot metal and ugga dugga your bolts.