Interesting project. A note on rebound... The rebound test is only an indicator of surface hardness. The harder the surface, the more force will go into your work (hot steel). It will not change by adding any type material beneath it. The sound might be altered but the surface hardness will remain the same. Thanks for the video...
I really like Learning how to make a tool as we in Blacksmithing say. (Need a Tool make a tool) this tool look like a Awesome Tool I will be taking this Idea of a tool and copy it to make my own tool. you are doing a great job keep it up.
I was amazed when looking through all the videos when I ran across your video. I’ve made one almost identical to yours except my face plate is a massive 3” thick forklift fork. I did not cut the bottoms of the railroad track because I wanted to weld the center of the forklift fork from one end to the other and leaving it open allowed it. I have not hardened my face plate yet but it’s actually really really hard already. Good job by the way. Thanks for the video.
A grinder and paint, make a welder what he ain't. LOL It's all good, I have to grind my welds too. I was hoping to see if you made any holes while grinding that lets the lead out. Test the rebound with a large ball bearing.
Hope you are takin and going to take proper steps the ensure you don’t get lead poisoning from the vapors when melting the lead. Also might look in to what temp lead starts putting off fumes if going to heat it in the forge.
if you ever need to infill lead into steel again would you do anything different like putting the anvil in a bonfire or on a grill before you pour the lead in?