grinding overheat?

[hobbit]

Hey guys,
Kind of a newbie question but.... Lately I've been trying to speed up my work rate and I find that, even though I dunk the blade in water every few passes (and wear gloves), I still end up burning the steel, especially near the tip. This is using ats34 and before heat treat and I was just wondering if this could affect the blade after it's been heat treated? Anyone find this a problem?

 

[george tichbourne]

Overheating before heat treat(discolouration) is insignificant considering the temperatures that must be reached and maintained during the heat treat cycle. ATS changes colour first around 500 degrees, it needs something in the region of 1800 for heat treating. Just try not to get it too hot after heat treating.

 

[hobbit]

Thanks Geoge, much appreciated.
Lloyd

 

[tom mayo]

actually.....when you get it a nice dull red......It grinds off a lot faster!

 

[Bruce Bump]

Im with tom on this one. Ive ground it until it is dull red and it really starts to remove metal fast. It didnt seem to affect the finished blade. Paul Bos never complained about the rockwell test or any warping. After the heat-treat is a different matter. Use sharp belts and try for no discoloration while grinding or buffing. Bare handed so you can feel the heat buildup. After driving across toun on a hot day, lift the hood on the car and put your hand on the radiator. That is about 250-300 degrees. Dont let your blades get that hot after heat-treat and you will have good edge holders.