Heat Treating in Cold Weather

A

Alionfan

Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Messages
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I've made my first blade from 01 steel. Built a small paint can forge and I'm ready to heat treat. My question is, I don't have a heated garage and it's going to be in the 20's this weekend. I will be able to heat the quench oil to a proper temp but I'm wondering if the air temp will create any problems. I do have a Big Buddy heater and may be able to heat the area up closer to 40 but that's about it. If the air temp shouldn't be an issue someone please let me know. If it is I'll have to come up with something or wait until warmer weather and work on another blade until then.
Thanks for any replies.
 
Alionfan said:
I've made my first blade from 01 steel. Built a small paint can forge and I'm ready to heat treat. My question is, I don't have a heated garage and it's going to be in the 20's this weekend. I will be able to heat the quench oil to a proper temp but I'm wondering if the air temp will create any problems. I do have a Big Buddy heater and may be able to heat the area up closer to 40 but that's about it. If the air temp shouldn't be an issue someone please let me know. If it is I'll have to come up with something or wait until warmer weather and work on another blade until then.
Thanks for any replies.
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I've done some simulations on cooling in air when the blade is removed from the forge and whether it is 20 C or -20 C, it doesn't make that much difference. You might lose 1 C more every second but if you are looking to quench and you do it fast, you will be fine.

For the oil, I've never looked into that but my gut tells me it shouldn't be an issue either since the temperature difference is rather low.
 
No problem at all. I notice little difference if its during a heat wave in july or if its in the -30's in the shed. The only thing I would recommend is to first bring the temperature of your quenching oil up to room temp.
 
i do my heat treat in an unheated garage, sometimes its 35 degrees, never had a problem.
 
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