Can I harden unknown stainless pins?

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Varga Knives

Varga Knives

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I went to the scrap yard (I love scrap yards) and picked up a bag of 1/8" x 2" stainless dowels for $.50. I was thinking of using them as stop pins for folders but they are not hardened and I don't know what steel they are made from. I don't have a HT set up but I do have a MAPP torch if that helps. Since there is no specific hardness I need to get them to is it possible for me to get these hard enough to use?

Thanks!
Mark
 
Most of the stainless you see at the scrap yard is austenitic and low carbon, such as 304, and won't harden with heat treat.

If you heat a piece up orange and quench in water, will it skate a file or is it still dead soft?

Many stainless dowels are cold drawn wire and are relatively hard as is. As in ~mid 40's
 
Are they magnetic? If not, they are 3 series, and austinetic, and won't harden. Just as Nathan said. Easier to try a mag before h t
 
Yep. Non-magnetic. Tried torching and quenching anyway and of course it's still soft. Guess I'm s.o.l. Oh well. Thanks guys.
 
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