I am finally getting back in the fire after a very long hiatus. I may have to go back on the wagon, though, as there is a burn ban right now in my county. However, it was raining last weekend, so I took advantage and forged a holdfast. I have never made one before, but I have certainly seen them up close and personal. The problem is that when I put it into the pritchel hole and tap it in, it doesn't lock into place. The shaft is contacting the top and bottom edges of the hole, but no dice. Here are some facts about the set up. The holdfast is made from an old spade drill bit and has about a 1/4" shaft. The pritchel hole is about 1/2" in diameter. The face of the anvil was very swaybacked and gouged when I acquired it, and I repaired it with hardfacing rod, but some of the weld puddle spilled into the hardie and pritchel holes (where can I find a die grinder bit to grind that out?), so the edge of the holes are not sharp. The anvil has a steel face on a cast body.
Any thoughts on what the problem might be?
Thanks, Rob