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Post by drocknut on Mar 23, 2011 22:27:30 GMT -5
I have been thinking about buying either an anvil or a bench block so I can harden wire and also flatten it for trying other types of jewelry designs. Is there a big difference between the two or would either one work just as well. I have looked at several sites but am not sure which one to get. There are bench blocks with rubber and also plain so if I go with a bench block which one of those? Anvil's seem to be cheaper, especially the small sizes I am looking at but if they aren't as good as a bench block I don't want to waste money. I'm not real handy so don't think I could go with trying to make one. Any suggestions?
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 24, 2011 7:51:14 GMT -5
The bench block looks like a chunk of metal but most of the cost is the machining completely flat. Avoid chrome plated versions as the plating can peel off leaving a not flat surface. For hammering wire flat the bench block would work great. The rubber blocks under absorb some of the shock and deadens sound. Some models you can use the rubber block as well. The advantage to anvils would be in forming metal for fabrication (shaping curves around horn, etc.). Some of the cheaper anvils are cheaper for a reason. Not flat, chrome that peals, etc. Tools are a lot like shoes. It is hard to save money by buying cheap. You buy the cheap one, it doesn't work well, you turn around and buy the good one. You pay more in long run. Good quality tools are a one time purchase in many cases. As far as prices, there shouldn't be much difference between good quality 2.5" blocks and small good quality anvils. The Pepe Tools blocks I carry are $19. The anvils I have run about the same except some "deluxe" anvils I ordered through a new supplier. Some are very nice but flat surface is not flat and the other model has scratches in the surface that you can see through the chrome plating.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 24, 2011 11:03:20 GMT -5
Thanks John. I appreciate the information.
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Post by Woodyrock on Mar 28, 2011 0:57:34 GMT -5
Diane:
One other consideration is the mass of the anvil versus the block. The more mass, the less bounce. If you go with the anvil, try to find one with a long thin horn instead on short and thick. The long thin one will allow you to form more shapes. Old ones tend to have longer horns, but old usually means well used, and abused, which means a lot of work to get the face (top), and horn smooth again. You can do this with a sander, lots of wet dry paper, some kerosene to wet it, and time. Not really hard to do, but time consuming. Woody
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Post by tanyafrench on Mar 28, 2011 9:37:33 GMT -5
Diane, I have a block and I love it. Of course I bought it for flattening wire and it works great. I don't use it for any other purpose. I do agree you should get a quality one. Mine is used frequently and does a great job.
Tanya
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Post by drocknut on Mar 28, 2011 21:08:08 GMT -5
Thanks Woody, it's something to think about. Still haven't ordered anything but holding off for a bit due to finances. Tanya, that's mostly what I'm going to be doing with it. I might also like to use it to temper wire to make it harder. I do appreciate all the suggestions and ideas. Thanks
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 29, 2011 21:55:43 GMT -5
Shame that I'm retired. I made my own bench block out of a 4" square piece of 1" thick cold rolled steel. Milled it perfectly flat and square, then polished all faces to a mirror finish. Took about 2 hours of lunch breaks to do it. It's not that hard to make your own.
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Post by tanyafrench on Mar 30, 2011 14:25:30 GMT -5
Don, you have so much talent as a "do it yourselfer". Wish you could share some of that ability.
Tanya
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 14:47:06 GMT -5
Hey Tanya, wish I still had access to all of the shop equipment I used when I was still working. Also all of the scrap offcuts of materials that were headed for the dumpster. Don
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Post by drocknut on Mar 30, 2011 16:59:54 GMT -5
Don, might I correct you...it's not hard for you to make it...for me it would be a lesson in futility. I am nowhere near talented enough to do that. I am in awe of the members here who can make homemade tumblers or saws or even bench blocks ;-)
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metalartz
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 69
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Post by metalartz on Mar 30, 2011 18:25:13 GMT -5
If you are thinking of using it for hardening round wire there is a much better way for smaller diameter wire. Place one end of the wire in a vise grab the other end with a good strong pair of pliers and pull. and now you have straight and harder wire. to get it ever stiffer twist the wire in one direction on till it hard, keep some tension on the wire. a old hand cracked drill works great or a electric going slowly. and your wire is still round!
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Post by drocknut on Mar 30, 2011 20:31:11 GMT -5
Not thinking about hardening as much as flattening wire. I want to add a new dimension to my wire wrapping and jewelry. Good tips for hardening wire though. Thanks.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 20:42:58 GMT -5
Diane, never say you're not talented enough to do something. I had never touched a milling machine until a couple of weeks before I made my bench block. With enough determination a person can do almost anything they put their mind to doing. Don
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Post by Woodyrock on Mar 31, 2011 1:27:21 GMT -5
Considering you run a chain saw from a bucket lift, you certainly do have the ability to make a bench block. A quick trip to a good junk yard would find the raw material to make one (ask for a small hardened piece of steel) an electric sander, some wet or dry paper, and some time is all that is required. Even without an electric sander, you could still get a polished surface with a piece of wood, and the paper. Use kerosene for a lubricant. You might even find a piece of polished steel at the junk yard. Woody
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Post by drocknut on Mar 31, 2011 23:20:29 GMT -5
Thank you Don and Woody. You're right, I just have to try. I'll check out the junk yards in this area and see what I can find. Thanks again for the encouragement.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 31, 2011 23:38:13 GMT -5
You can do it Diane. Just see if you can find a square of steel at least a couple inches square, and at least half an inch thick. Don
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