Heat Treat Question

H

Harry Jensen

Joined
Oct 10, 1998
Messages
224
Awhile back I acquired a new-in-the-box digitally controlled top loader kiln (rediculous price!).
I figure the best way to HT in this thing is with the blades wrapped in foil and vertically suspended via hi-temp wire.
The question I have is: what type of material should be used as the cross piece to hang the wires from? Do they make ceramic rods in 20"-24" lengths in 3/8"-1/2" in dia. or would a chunkk of A2 or other tool steel withstand the heat over time?
TIA!
Harry Jensen
 
I thought they made slotted fire bricks for this.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
You might want to talk to Paragon and get some blade holders. These are ceramic bases with pins sticking up that the blades rest between. They are normally placed on firebrick to keep them off the bottom of the furnace. Expect to pay more than they're worth though.

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
Thanks for the replies regarding slotted bricks and wire stand-offs, but that's a different direction than what I wanted to go.

What I had in mind is a rod, 1/2" in diameter (+/-) approximately 22" long. I'd cut a notch in two bricks directly across from each other at the top/inside area of the kiln for this rod to suspend from. I'd then use pieces of hi-temp wire to secure the blades to the wire. In this way, I could do a batch of blades (hanging point down), then as the thermal cycle is complete, lift the whole rod/hook assembly out for still air quenching. In addition, the blades hanging straight down would tend to hinder warpage.
I'm going to try this with some all-thread & see how it holds up to the heat. Otherwise, does anyone know if incolnel is made in this size/diameter? Thanks,
Harry
 
think youre in the right with the rod... i had a rack made out of .250 stainless rod and it worked fine....303 or 313 or such.. make sure to put a little something in with the knife to burn up all the oxygen (you probably already know that)...harv mcburnette always used a cigarette filter from the one hed just finished...never was happy with my home brews and went back to sending them to paul bos. good luck

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Tom-
MOST EXCELLENT POST! And I've got some of that smeary 303 or 304 laying around out here anyhow!
I hated to pass up the deal on this kiln..it's one of the big top loaders...2/3 the height of a 55 gal. drum w/ all the bells & whistles for $400. As others have stated...always need more toys!!!!
Thanks,
Harry
 
if your using High temp wire to hang fron te rod, why not just use some high temp wire streched across to hang from?

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Sanity is overrated, simply a moonbeam spilling pearls on a dark and treacherous sea.
j . p hissom
 
Harry congrats on a great find!!!
as to the oxygen get some mild steel aka A36 bar, rod, block doesn’t mater any thing will
do.
place this in the kiln when it’s cold and it will eat all the oxygen in the kiln.
you have to knock off the scale in-between heats but it works great.
I have 25 lbs in mine.
Ed http://www.angelfire.com/ct/schottknives/
 
This is an excellent post! My sister has huge kiln that she doesn't use anymore and I was wondering how I could use it to HT.
Thanks for the info guys!

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"Boy, if ya don't screw up once in a while, ya ain't learnin' nuthin'" - An old cowboy
 
Ed, GREAT IDEA!!! This big bucket has peek holes & plugs, so thought I'd later end up going with Argon or Nitrogen to get away from decarb, but if mild steel will fill the bill, Outstanding!!!

As for using wire, I don't think it will hold its' shape for 6-8 blades, so I'm thinking of making a grill-type affair out of 3XX steel, that way I can do 12-15 blades at one whack (if they are all air quench!)

This forum is awesome!
 
Hi all!
Harry, you can use a ceramic tube as a cross piece, too. They are made from fine carborundum ceramics as hi-temperature devices in crucible technologies. Try to get them from crucible suppliers. Sorry, i can't give you any addresses in the USA. I live in Germany. If you get some of them, try to use them as sharpening sticks as well. They work like the finer ceramic sharpening rods you can buy, but are much cheaper.

Achim
 
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