5160 heat treating

D

Dkbrowndesign

Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
45
Hi there,I am a beginner here and I am looking for the most straight forward way to heat treat 5160 using a forge ect.i heated my blade up to non mag then quenched into 10 w30 at 120,it then went into the toaster oven at 400 for 1 hr twice. I ran a file over its edge after and it feels soft still?? Am I doing somthing wrong?? Any info/corrections would be great!!
Thanks Dan

Oh ya it is bar stock 5160 and I am stockremoving not hammering
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the forums!

Well here's The best place to ask questions about knife making:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/741-Shop-Talk-BladeSmith-Questions-and-Answers

I'd also read all the highlighted (yellow) threads at the top of the page.

And before posting please search the forums to see if the question has already been asked and answered.

Heat treat info...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/716812-Rosetta-Stone-of-Metallurgy-Lots-of-HT-info-here

Id read this to...Shop safty
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/614065-Shop-safety-tips

Hope to helps!

Cheers!

-niner
 
Dkbrowndesign said:
Hi there,I am a beginner here and I am looking for the most straight forward way to heat treat 5160 using a forge ect.i heated my blade up to non mag then quenched into 10 w30 at 120,it then went into the toaster oven at 400 for 1 hr twice. I ran a file over its edge after and it feels soft still?? Am I doing somthing wrong?? Any info/corrections would be great!!
Thanks Dan

Oh ya it is bar stock 5160 and I am stockremoving not hammering
Click to expand...

Check out this http://tidewaterblacksmiths.net/2.html , You might not have gotten it hot enough - bright cherry red to reddish orange.
 
Just heating to non-magnetic is not enough. 5160 has chromium alloying, and needs to be taken to about 1525°F and held there for five minutes. The hold time ( called soak) isn't as critical as the temp, but you need both to get the most from the steel. If just using an eye and a magnet, heat to non-magnetic, then heat to a brighter red shade ( about 100°F hotter). Try and keep the blade at that shade for a few minutes if possible. Avoid getting it hotter, though.
 
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