Adopting anvil pre-heating for delicate forging: Efficiency versus tradition?

I started pre-heating my anvil to about 150 degrees before tackling detailed forge welding. This practice has nearly eliminated cold shuts in my joints, making my work more reliable. Some in the community swear by it for quality, but others dismiss it as an old-school habit that burns through resources. I'd love to hear arguments from both sides.

3 comments

3 Comments

tyler_clark10d ago

Ever notice if pre-heating works better with certain steels over others?

hannahgonzalez10d ago

Tried pre-heating on some high-carbon steels last year. The older stuff with more impurities definitely benefited, fewer cold shuts. But with modern mild steel, it was a waste of gas. Learned that the hard way on a gate hinge project. Now I only bother if the metal has been sitting in a cold shop.

ivant5110d ago

150 degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius? That detail matters because thermal expansion rates differ. Pre-heating to 150F is common for reducing cold shuts, but 150C might overheat the anvil face. Traditionalists often skip it to save fuel, but modern forges with controlled heating can make it efficient. I've seen both approaches in workshops, and the key is consistent temperature management.