4140 heat treat ???

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
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i was wondering what is the proper way to heat treat 4140 for dies and anvils? kyle
 
I don't know if this is the proper way or not, but I can give you the benefit of my experience. I made a flat die of 4140 for my 100 lb power hamer and needed to heat treat it. I heated it up in the coal forge till it became non-magnetic and then dipped it in a five gallon bucket of peanut oil. the five gallon bucket was in a larger bucket of water. The oil instantly began to boil. a green leaf off my pecan tree blew into the oil while this was going on and instantly fried. I left the die in the oil till it cooled down. I have used the die for at least 14 years and it has worked well.
I probably should have drawn the die after quenching but I don't remember doing so.
There is probably a better way to do this but my method worked for me.
 
After thinking this over, it seems that I did draw the die in the oven. I think I used 400 degrees for several hours. Its been so long ago I am not sure.
I have learned that it pays to write information like this down in a notebook so you can refer back and see exactly what you did.
Hope this helps some. Tom Lewis
 
another fellow said he quenched his in oil with no drawing back. so maybe carbon is low enough. i will try your way . thanks , kyle
 
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