Annealing ?'s

[michdad]

I grabbed some mower blades to try and learn how to grind and shape, without beating up alot of more expensive steel. First thought they were 1085, and was positive I read somewhere that they could be annealed in a kitchen oven. I heated and held at 450 f for 2 hours, then cooled and held at 200 for 2 hours, then slow cooled to room temp. They cut like a bugger!!! The Junk yard steels charts I have read said they might be 5160. Am I way off base with temps and times, or is the "best" hacksaw blades at Home Depot just not the right tool for the job?

 

[Russ Andrews]

For annealing, you need to exceed critical,
which is 1400f +.

At 450, you just gave it another temper,
probably didn't soften it much at all.

Try a search for "annealing" or "spherodizing".
Both have been discussed here, at length.

 

[michdad]

For annealing, you need to exceed critical,
which is 1400f +.

At 450, you just gave it another temper,
probably didn't soften it much at all.

Try a search for "annealing" or "spherodizing".
Both have been discussed here, at length.

Yep, consulted my notes, evidently I need to keep them better orginized. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Cliff Davis]

Good evening Mich.
For what you'll spend on equipment to anneal these cheap blades of unknown steel, you can easily get 50lbs. of annealed 1084 from Aldo.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575167
Use a bar or two to learn on, then spend the money on a proper heat treat oven when the time comes.
Just my opinion, but if I can help out in anyway, don't hesitate to ask -Cliff

 

[mete]

They are , according to someone who worked in the industry, a 15xx steel .I don't remember the carbon content. Very simple, nothing fancy.

 

[michdad]

:foot: I wuz going by memory, evidently that aint so good. Transposed temps.

Thanks for setting me straight.

Matt