Circulating style quench tank.

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Joined
May 2, 2004
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I used a 40 mmm ammo can for this quench tank set up. The pump on the floor at left pumps from the bottom of the tank up through the ice filled container and back into the ammo can. The pid cotrol in the panel to the left, operates the bucket heater that is positioned in the ammo can. [Yellow sticker] This can is filled with 7 gallons of parks 50. I'm looking for another ammo can of this size to be used for a med. speed oil. The can will quench a 22 inch blade. The pump hosing has a mesh strainer in it where the scale is removed from the quench oil . Happy to answer any question,.
 
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darrin sanders said:
Very cool Fred, thanks for showing.
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Its a far cry from my days of quenching in a pan of used motor oil. I think we all try to tighten up our control and temperatures the longer we stay at knife making; trying to make a better product.

Fred
 
I used a transmission oil cooler radiator and a fan to cool the oil. The fan is turned on by a simple thermostat that is set at 140F. The heater is set at 130F. The oil circulates all the time, and when it gets too warm, the cooling fan kicks in....just like your car.
In your setup, it appears you are cooling and heating the oil at the same time when the PID is on?

Also, I draw the oil from near the top of the tank, and have the oil returning to the tank from the bottom center, creating an upward circulation that helps the cooling rate of the blade.
 
bladsmth said:
I used a transmission oil cooler radiator and a fan to cool the oil. The fan is turned on by a simple thermostat that is set at 140F. The heater is set at 130F. The oil circulates all the time, and when it gets too warm, the cooling fan kicks in....just like your car.
In your setup, it appears you are cooling and heating the oil at the same time when the PID is on?

Also, I draw the oil from near the top of the tank, and have the oil returning to the tank from the bottom center, creating an upward circulation that helps the cooling rate of the blade.
Click to expand...

The pump isn't hooked to the pid, it operates manually. I find once the oil is at temperature its never the case that it needs continued heating. Once I start quenching steel its all about getting it to cool down.
Sounds like you have a very workable system.

Fred
 
Check SurplusCenter for the Ammo Can--whereas even Cheaperthandirt and other Army Surplus type sites sell 50cal cans for around 20 bucks, SC has the 40s I think for around 15, and the 120mm for 20...I snagged one of the mortar cans for my quench tank, 5 gallons gives me about 20" of depth.
 
If it is simply a matter of cooling down the oil, then why don't you just drop intake and return pipes over the edge, like a fishtank? Why make it more complicated than it needs to be, drilling holes and affixing motors. I bet you could make a self contained, portable unit that fits in another ammo box, that you just plop down next to any quench tank. You could probably use the same unit for Fast and Medium tanks if you purge it inbetween. I use the same bucket heater for my tank, Fred.
 
Rick Marchand said:
If it is simply a matter of cooling down the oil, then why don't you just drop intake and return pipes over the edge, like a fishtank? Why make it more complicated than it needs to be, drilling holes and affixing motors. I bet you could make a self contained, portable unit that fits in another ammo box, that you just plop down next to any quench tank. You could probably use the same unit for Fast and Medium tanks if you purge it inbetween. I use the same bucket heater for my tank, Fred.
Click to expand...

In truth; I love complexity and have never shied away from it. Case in point would be most knives I make.

I like the fact that the oil can be purged of scale as it gets screened out as its pumped. Shut a valve, empty the screen, open the valve and turn the pump on.

Besides, what am I to do with my years of plumbing experience? Plumbers must plumb as drummers must drum.

Question--how simple were your stage and sound system lay outs when you were touring? I imagine those were simplicity itself. :)

I really do have a simple side [ my wife tells me so ] and it shows itself in several places; chess and martial arts to mention a couple.

I will post pics when I add the new med oil quench tank; it will be plumbed into the system above.

Regards, Fred
 
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