Anyone HT CPM 154CM with a Paragon KM14D?

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
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Hello,
I tend to stick to standard carbon steels. My 14" paragon excels at these in the 1400-1550 temperature range.

I now want to do some stainless and with most, hardening temps are in the 1800-2000 range.

My concern is ramp time on my 14" paragon since its wired for 110v...

Anyone HT stainless in one of these small kilns?

Also, I don't have much experience with CPM 154CM...am I right that although this is a stainless family steel, I still need to oil quench as I would 1095/5160/O1?

Thanks!
-Dave
 
I just got a similar Paragon. The instructions that came with it do refer to oil quenching for CPM154, but I think most people plate quench it. I'm sure more-experienced folks will chime in, it's a very popular steel around here.

Here's a recent thread with some info about HT and more on cryo for CPM154.
 
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I foil wrap and plate quench CPM154 followed by cryo after it cools to room temperature. I let the oven soak at 1400 for 30-40 minutes prior to use. Pop the foil pack in and let it equalize for about 5 minutes and then ramp up to 1925 (if memory serves, you need 1900-1950 for CPM154) for a 45 minute hold. Start your soak AFTER the oven reaches the target temp and is stable. You should be good, even if it takes a while to climb up to 1925 with the blade in the oven. As long as you don't exceed temps too much (hard to do with this high of temps in an oven), and you've got a good and air-tight foil pack, you'll have no trouble from the steel with the slow climb.

Start with a long heat soak prior to putting the blade in, it will make your oven more efficient and give you greater accuracy. Let us know how it goes!

--nathan
 
CPM154, 154CM, Ats34, and 13C26 by sandvik have almost identical data for heat
treat. About a 40 min, soak at temp, moving air(in front of a fan) or plate quench, after
the blade reaches either ambient or plate temp go into the freeze then 2 draws at
whatever hardness you're after.
Ken.
 
154CM, CPM154, ATS-34, RWL-34 are essentially the same and are best plate quenched. Tempering options are either low ,400-500 F or high ,about 1000 F.
What is the maximum temperature of the furnace ? A similar question was asked before and he tested the ramp time. If the max temperature is 2000 F the ramp time will be very long .
 
I think all paragon ovens are "rated" for a max 2000, but they use 2300 degree elements so you can go higher, though i'm not sure if out of hte box the PID will let you set it that high.
 
Hmm....so its mainly just a question of if I want to wait the long ramp times for my oven to hit the 1900s necessary. Are there any stainless steels that HT at a slightly lower range? Im starting to try my hand at folders and tend to think stainless is best for folders, but want something as simple and easy as my normal carbon steels.....
 
Yeah I went ahead and just ordered the 154....i'm sure the paragon can handle it and its not like I heat treat every day....

Sucks switching from a steel I am so familiar with, though....im not looking forward to dealing with foil packets. I'll need to look into plate quenching setups as the combo of cutting 2000 degree stainless foil packets and quenching into oil doesnt sound too fun.
 
Don't knock it until you try it, my friend :D. The foil isn't that bad. Just cut a square large enough, fold it in half, place the spine of the blade against the fold and then crimp the remaining 3 edges over twice and pound flat with a block of micarta and a hammer. Some people put combustibles in the packet, but I stopped after having some packets balloon and lose their seal. The air inside isn't going to cause much problems if the packet is built right. A note, MAKE SURE the crimped over edges don't overlap the blade anywhere (especially the tip), as when you plate quench, it will likely cause a warp away from the crimp(ask me how I know :) ).

For plates, look around for a piece of 1" x 12" x 12" aluminum on ebay and cut it in half. Then you've got two 12x6" by 1" thick plates to use. Pull the packet out of the oven after soaking, and place it between the plates with a light clamping of the plates. No mess, no fuss. Clean blades with just some rainbow to sand off.

--nathan
 
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