r/blacksmithing • u/Great-Bug-736 • 6d ago

Hardie hole question

I bought an anvil from Lowe's to get me started. I was looking at tools for use in the hardie hole, and I see the shanks come in different sizes. I measured the anvils hardie hole and it measures at 15/16".

Do the 1" shanks or 3/4" shanks tools work? Are the tools supposed to be really tight fitting, or be loose? I know I don't want to get a tool stuck.

But are the 1" shanks tools a true 1", or am I okay with them?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/BF_2 5d ago

Never jam a tool into a hardy hole -- you might never get it out again without damaging tool or anvil.

The hardy shank should extend through the anvil far enough to knock the hardy out with a blow to the bottom of the shank, from the underside of the anvil face. If the shank is too short, use a stout piece of stock as an extension when knocking it out.

If a hardy shank is undersized, use a couple wooden wedges to make it fit tight.

If it's far smaller than needed, consider making a removable sleeve to fit the tool snugly so that it fits the hardy hole.

1

u/drowninginidiots 6d ago

7/8” is not an unusual hardie hole size. But strangely, 7/8” hardie tools are not common, they are usually 3/4” or 1”. Usually it’s easiest to get the 3/4” and build them up. You might even be able to find some square tubing the right size to just weld over the shank of the tool.

1

u/coyoteka 6d ago

Make tapered ones for yourself, it's a good beginning project.

1

u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 6d ago

To make some hardie tools, I make a long shaft to stick out at the bottom. This way I can knock it out from below if it’s stuck. Even if they have room to slip in, they can get twisted and stick. Another way to make the shaft is with a diagonal piece, rather than square. You can also make an insert to fit standard sizes. For a hold down I use a threaded rod, with angled bushing on bottom. It takes longer to remove, but no biggie.

1

u/Airyk21 6d ago

You don't want them loose or they'll bounce around too much. You probably have more of a 7/8 which is what I have. And you don't really have to worry about them getting stuck because then you can just use a bar to pop them out from the bottom. You'll probably just have to size the Hardy tools to your Anvil or make them yourself.

1

u/Great-Bug-736 6d ago

Thanks for the reply. I measured it at 15/16", but maybe that IS the size for a 7/8" hardee hole. I will make my own tools one I get going and see what I need.

1

u/Airyk21 6d ago

Even if your hardy hole seems pretty square and your tools seems square there's always tolerances and you have to grind off a bit or make adjustments or you find your hardy tool only really fits in one orientation for some reason lol

1

u/Great-Bug-736 6d ago

Thank you for the input.