Blacksmiths Anvil

    The quality of an anvil can generally be judged by its ring; a good anvil gives out a clear, sharp sound when struck with a hammer. If soft or defective, the sound will be dull. A good anvil mounted properly, giving a full volume of sound, is easier to work upon than one having a dead ring. Most anvils vary in weight from 150 to 300 pounds. Occasionally, a mistake is made in selecting anvils that are too light for the service required. A 300 pound anvil is suitable for almost any kind of blacksmithing, and this weight or heavier will not move around while in use. Usually there is no need to strap it down. The square hole in the face of an anvil, called the "hardy hole," holds a chisel with a square shank used in forming. Near the square hole is usually found a small round hole called the "pritchel hole." Anvils are usually made with a wrought-iron body to which is welded a hardened steel face.

Setting an anvil

    The height of an anvil should be such that when standing beside it the knuckles of your hand will just reach the top surface or face. A solid oak block set endwise in the ground is often used as a foundation, but a cast-iron mounting block is preferable, as it can easily be moved. The cast-iron mounting block should have a fairly broad base, and a pocket at the top for receiving the anvil: a flat block of wood beneath the anvil should be provided to act as a cushion. Anvils should not be strapped rigidly to their foundations, as this will not allow vibrations of the anvil. The vibrations keep the face free from scales; and without the vibrations will render a high-grade wrought-iron anvil little better than one made of cast iron.

Newton's Laws

    First law—Every body continues in a state of rest or in uniform motion in a straight line, until it is compelled by a force to change its state of rest or motion.
    Second law—Change of motion is proportional to the force applied, and takes place along the straight line in which the force acts.
    Third law—To every action there is always an equal reaction, or in other words, if a force acts to change the state of motion of a body, the body offers a resistance equal and directly opposite to the force.