Fixing Dents on Steel Stakes

This stake had a lot of damage. I was able to get most of the dents and dings, but I had to work on it for couple days.

This anvil was was most likely dented by poor aim and a forging hammer.

Working as a metals and jewelry shop monitor at an educational institution means frequently fixing damaged tools. Inexperienced students, as expected, often make mistakes that result in damaged tools and equipment.
The items that require the most attention are hammers, stakes, and anvils, although no tool is exempt from damage.

Center punches leave deep holes when in the hands of Hercules. A futile attempt was made to planish out the marks. In the end, I sanded smooth the planish texture, but the holes pretty permanent.

To fix a dented stake, begin by planishing dents to a more uniform surface. This process smooths out the dents by using a hammer. If there are numerous dents, or if the dents are deep, this is a time consuming process.

Archer fixes up a stake using an orbital sander.

Once the planishing is satisfactory, we sand down the surface to restore a smooth, even finish on the stake. Usually I prefer to use an orbital sander, however a belt sander works extremely well on anvil tops.

Fight rust!

The final step in the refinish process is to apply 3n1 oil to the surface. A very thin coat protects against rust while the stake is not in use.

Of course the best way to care for your tools, is not to mess them up in the first place. The more often you fix the surface, the less like the original it becomes.