ATS34 heat treating...

Mine doesn't look anything like that. BTW I can use the argon from my TIG unit. Just not sure where to start. Maybe try a piece of 5160 or 1095, run some argon into the tube (there are two pipe fittings on the end of the tube, I assume one for gas in, and the other gas out), turn the digital control to whatever will work (1500 +-), and keep a little bit of gas flowing. After "X" time, quench in oil. Plan?
 
I have a pre ground knife blank I bought several years ago that I've finally decided I want to put scales on and sharpen. I bought it 2nd hand and I was told at the time that it is ATS-34. I've never made a knife before and don't know much about the heat treating of different steels. This blank is so hard a file won't cut it. Does it need to be tempered still, or are pre ground blanks like that completely heat treated already and all I need to do is fit the scales and harden it? I googled heat treating ATS-34 and the link to this thread was at the top of the list, so I joined the forum just to ask this question. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
I have a ATS 34 blade right now that is really giving me fits. I heat treated it to 1950f in a stainless pouch, and air cooled it to an RC of 63.5 to 64. I have tried tempering it for an hour each at 900, 950, 975, four hours at 950, four hours at 1000, and each time it did not budge. I stuck it back in a new pouch and took it back to 1950f, let air cool. It was 64. I tempered it at 350 for 2 hours, then 300 for 2 hours, still 64. I did 500 for an hour, nothing. 500 for 2 hours. Still 63.5 to 64. My RC tester is fairly acurate, as I have checked it against a piece in know to be 58 and it tests 58 each time. I'm about to quit using ATS 34. About the only thing I have done that may be causing problems is the time between HT and tempering. It may be several hours to the next between the two processes and I'm wondering if cutting that time down is the answer. I'm open to thoughts.
 
Nothing like resurrecting a past thread.

rlinger, in your recipe you wrote "Pre-heat slowly to 1400 F and hold until equalized. I usually hold for about 7 minutes at 1400 F."

My question is how slow is slow? "Slow"is a relative term, with today programmable kilns this could take a week or longer if I so desired. I realize this is an absurd statement.

I'm thinking just regular full ramp up is slow enough as compared to the oven is already at temp and then put the blades in would be a faster pre-heat.

Damn noobs and their questions! :D
 
For me the blade thickness and mass is a determining factor in per-heat ramps. In my opinion, I liked to place blade in cold oven and ramp up slowly. Larger the mass of work piece the slower the ramp however, my oven ramped plenty slow enough regardless. A soaking hold time then came in as a separate interval.. I depended largely on experience over many blades in determining these criteria. Keep notes on all attempts and consult mete's when available. They know best and take full advantage of any advise they offer you.

rl
 
Welcome back Roger. Sadly, Mete passed away a couple years ago. Larrin (Devin Thomas' son) is the go-to metallurgical expert now. He has a great book out that is the standard knife HT and metallurgy reference for knifemakers. The book is called KNIFE ENGINEERING.

BTW, that question you answered was asked 7 years ago on an 18 year old thread. Be sure to check the dates on threads you pull up. Youve been gone15years. A lot has changed here, but we still have some great folks.
 
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