D2 for the oven

[SteelSlaver]

Well, I got these ready to harden and HT. I like to do small batches of D2 because of the time and to save a bit on the dry ice. I do the plate quench and then a couple hours in the dry ice/acetone. before the temper cycles. These are smaller than ones I had cut out by Dave at GreatLakes Water Jet. One is a cut down one of those and the others are profiled with a saw and grinder. If I like the way the come out. I will refine them a bit and then get some cut out. The big one is my chopper and I don't think it will get the cryro but, 3 tempers at 450f.

 

[silver_pilate]

Those all look GREAT. Good job!

Out of curiosity, what's your setup for the dry ice/acetone? What kind of container, how much acetone/dry ice? Any tips? I'm wanting to do cryo for some 154CM, and have never seen a dry ice setup. Also, where do you get your dry ice?

Thanks!

--nathan

 

[SteelSlaver]

I get my dry ice from the local Safeways grocery store. 4 or 5# is enough for a batch. I pour about a gallon of acetone (I save and reuse it) in a steel bucket that I have wrapped with a layer of fiberglass insulation. Then I stick in the dry ice. Fumes and looks evil for a bit. Don't touch the "ice" or the solution with bare hands, instant frostbite. I place the blades in the bucket tip down and cover the top with a chunk of insulation and come back in a couple hours and do the oven temper. I have the blades cool to room temp before I stick them in. Get the dry ice as close as you can to when you need it and keep it in the freezer till used. I run to the store while the oven is coming up. I know how long to hit 1850f and then figure the 30 min + soak so I have time.

 

[SteelSlaver]

I did the big chopper by itself in the oven after the 5 hunters. My rack wasn't big enough and when its time was up I saw it had fell on its side. It was a snake when I tool it to the plates and I was nervous, but, after a bit in the plates I took it out and went to work on it and got it straightened out, mostly by hand then a couple taps with my brass hammer and I am sure I can get it true with a little grinding. All the hunters came out fine, they are out of the acetone/dry ice and in the stove on thier first cycle temper and the choppers 2nd.