Carbon % in a file

T

Temper

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
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Guys,
Does anyone know the average % of carbon in a modern file, Assuming that its not just a case hardened one?

Another Q? What's the best quenching medium for it and around what temp for hardening and then the temper? (Its been fully annealed already)

TIA
 
Most new files are 1095, but a lot of the old ones were W2. Either way, you're talking about 1 % carbon or so.
 
You do need a fast quench, either water or a light oil, for those alloys.
 
Thanks Mete, as I only have a BBQ and a home fan for a forge and a big hammer for an anvil (just spotted some nice scrap though around 20x4x1.5 I will be making an anvil soon) I am pretty much at the low end of things :D

Luckily water is cheap

As for the right temp, I was thinking of a bright tangerine orange, will this be hot enough for the HT?
 
Don't go as much by the color, but use a magnet instead. When the blade will no longer stick to the magnet, quench it really quickly in the quenching solution(not water, unless you like the sound of cracking blades). Use tranny fluid or very light mineral oil, if you can't get the professional quenching fluid.
 
Temper said:
Thanks Mete, as I only have a BBQ and a home fan for a forge and a big hammer for an anvil (just spotted some nice scrap though around 20x4x1.5 I will be making an anvil soon) I am pretty much at the low end of things :D

Luckily water is cheap

As for the right temp, I was thinking of a bright tangerine orange, will this be hot enough for the HT?
Click to expand...
Don't feel bad. My "forge" is also a camp BBQ, 2 propane torches, a sledgehammer for an anvil, and a framing hammer to lay the hurtin' to the steel.
 
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