My 450th essay: "Reciprocating Hammer, Anvils" - 14 photos.

 As this is my 450TH ESSAY, I wish to familiarize you with the Reciprocating Hammer - ANVIL. This little anvil is the main reason of using the hammer. 

 These anvils come to you with no shape (seen on the left) from the tool supplier. IT IS FOR YOU TO SHAPE IT ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN OWN SPECIFIC NEEDS.

There are times where I will reshape the 'tip of the anvil' and make it into a sharp point and use it for decoration (texturing) purposes on flat surfaces.

The 'texturing' was initially made on the metal mold. I used this metal mold many times instead of hammering on subsequent metal 'copies'.

 After many weeks, or even months little pieces of steel break away, as seen in the hammer second from the left. DON'T USE A FILE TO RESHAPEN IT. I use an Emery wheel of "MEDIUM, 220 grit".

 In this photo you can see my EMERY WHEEL reshaping the tip of the anvil.

 

  Here is my assortment of Pumice wheels and Emery disks.

 From a company supplied anvil, I can modify any anvil that is needed. I always have extra anvils in case one has to be modified (again) at a moments notice.

  After the Emery wheel has been reshaped, I usually apply my Pumice wheel of 180 grit to keep the steel anvil smooth for the delicate hammering processes.

 Every one of these anvils came to my setting bench being 'round and untouched'. 

 This is my Reciprocating Hammer doing what the anvil is supposed to do. I NEVER HOLD THE ANVIL PERPENDICULAR, I hold it at an angle of 45 degrees. The anvil doesn't hit flat, but it 'pushes the metal' towards the stone.

 Always inspect the hitting surface just to make sure that there are no defects on the 'face'.

   These are the 'before & after' views.

 This hammer anvil being shown here 'has seen better days'. I truly suggest that a good trimming of the 'edges and face' will give you better 'contact' spots.

 The best tool to use is a 'MEDIUM, 220 grit', Emery paper disk. 

 I always like to keep my Diamond Setting tools in pristine condition. When I put the anvil under my 150 power bench-microscope, I decided to remove the anvil from the Reciprocating Hammer and repair the 'contact' spots.

 When you need to put the anvil back into the 'hammer socket', please make sure that the anvil is screwed in 'tight'. If not, there is a great tendency for the anvil to loosen and come out of the hammer socket.

 Hoping that this essay came to you with a greater understanding what this little anvil can do for you.