Aluminum Plate Quench Material Question

J

Jrmysell

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May 18, 2014
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I am from Texas, but am currently out of the country for vet school. I have made a few knives mostly as birthday/Christmas presents for family, but after I graduate, I plan on making more. All I've used so far is 1095, but would like to eventually go to some stainless and have read that plate quenching is the best for them. Looking at aluminum plates in sizes between 3/4"-1" X 2"-6" X 12"-18" plates have a decent cost to them. My question is, does the type of aluminum matter? The country I'm in (St. Kitts) uses Eastern Caribbean dollars as the currency. The pennies (they are about to pull them from circulation (along with their 2 cent piece) are made of aluminum (at least according to wikipedia), but I don't know the specific type of aluminum. Each penny is just over 1 gram per piece, so I'll use 1 gram/penny for easy calculations. I know the melting point of aluminum is 1221°F, so the furnace should be able to melt them down. The exchange rate is very cheap 2.7 EC per $1 US, so I can get enough aluminum from the pennies for 2 1" X 4" X 12" pieces for just over $15 US. Would this work, or would it be better to just by some plates already made? I feel like I can make a blank to pour the molten aluminum into to get shapes. Also, if it will work, what size would everyone recommend?
 
Sounds like more trouble than it is worth. If I recall correctly I found my plates on The evil bay for less than 30 usd shipped. Best of luck with vet school and your knife making.
 
I'd just get plates shipped from someone here at home, or online metals


After you cast them, how would you get nice straight flat smooth blocks ?





Or send them out for good HT, cryo and everything included
 
Sounds like fun casting up the plates and I'm sure the aluminum in the pennies would be just fine. The big concern would be the machining to get the cast plates flat and even. Perhaps a milling machine with fly cutter?

Yep, your chosen size looks good - I get by with a 1"X4"X12" plate

Ken H>
 
I bought 1"x6"x14" extruded aluminum plates for around $50 shipped off ebay. You will have that in machining alone if you cast. You can have someone here order them and them ship them to you.
 
Just get them at the St. Kitts Knifemaking Supply Warehouse! :D

Just kidding as I used to live in that area (Grenada to St.Thomas) and I applaud your effort. I have spent an entire week and many cab rides trying to get packages out of customs before... but the area is awesome!

I wonder of you could find some copper plate locally... maybe some steel and copper could work well. I wouldn't mess with melting the coins unless you just really want to... and like everyone says you will need a way to machine them and likely some practice before you do a good clean pour.

I've been researching backyard casting and foundry work lately, I personally don't rule out the casting after knowing how slow it is getting anything done in the islands... it may be the easiest way!!! But they have to be dead flat...

No worries... just use da high carbon! Or you can even air cool... interrupted oil quench, etc depending on the stainless.
 
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