Heat Treat ? from newbie

R

Rosscoinc

Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
4
Hello,
I have 4 knives of various steel types I am getting ready to heat treat. Will be my first time. I have a propane forge with one burner and a handheld IR thermometer. Has anyone used that method to determine temp. of steel before and if so do you have any advice.
My work area is too bright to comfortably rely on color as a temp gauge.
Thanks,
Ross.
 
What are the steel types...?
Is your IR thermometer rated for 1500f +..?
If your work area is too bright...find a way to
darken it.
Do some reading...learn what you can about decalescence...
It's key to HT of carbon steels.
 
Using a magnet will get you curie point for iron based materials (i.e. steel), but will not necessarily tell you if you're in the ball park for hardening. It's a good starting point, but most steels have a critical temperature above, and sometimes WELL above non-magnetic. 1084 is one of the few, if not the only steel that you can heat to non-magnetic and quench and get good results. Many other more complex steels require holds at temperature of 5 to 20 minutes, and stainless steels require holds at very high temperatures (1925+F) for upwards of 45 minutes. For instance, O-1 requires 50 degrees or more above curie point and needs to be held a minimum of 5 minutes (20 is much better) without overheating too much. Non-magnetic gives you a starting point, but knowing the temperature is very important depending on your steel.

Thus the question, "what are the steel types?"

With a single burner forge, a magnet, and an IR thermometer, you should be able to successfully heat treat a variety of carbon and tool steels.

--nathan
 
Read all of Kevin Cashen's threads and any threads where he has responded too. He gives top notch advice and will not guide your wrong.
 
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