Heat treating with salt pot

[Frank Niro]

When using a salt pot for heat treating is it necessa\ry to ramp up the temperature or is it sufficient to just place the blades inside once the needed temperature is achieved? Thanks. Frank

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have only used them for carbon steels, so no ramp is needed. I don't know anyone who does stainless in one.

Where they really shine is at low temp for quenching ( eg. 400F/200C). The steel drops very fast to the salt temp. Then you can let it sit as long as needed, remove and straighten, put back again to maintain 400/200, and when all is well, hang up to slowly cool in air. This is called marquenching.