Shouldn't be too hard to keep the face below 400 F or so by using a temple stick. I'd repair it, but I would be able to do the repair myself so that changes the economics. I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions. I expect the steel, which I can machine and the welding would add $400-500 to the total cost, putting me around $3/lb total cost for a nice heavy anvil. I can weld, but would probably give this to the pros to have it done properly. I would use heavily chamfered edges and many passes to fill the weld area and might make it shallow on the face so I can build up tool steel in that area with weld rod.
I am thinking I can cut the heel off flush with the inside face of the Hardy hole, and weld a new piece of steel, machined ahead of time, back in place. I have read the article from Gunther and Schuler, but this is probably more applicable to small fixes. I can use the anvil as-is, but would eventually like to repair it. Mine is 18' at the longest dimension where it broke off. The face should be between 23 and 24 inches long according to AIA. If there was a Pritchel hole, it is gone. The face is in great shape, however, the heel is broken off at the 1 3/8' Hardy hole.
It is serial number A15361 which puts it at 1894 vintage. Paid $800, so $2/lb, which isn't bad in New England these days. Hay Budden anvil which was sitting on a post as an address marker.
