How many knives can I quench?

[Rick Powell]

So I'm starting on my largest run of knives yet and I'm trying to figure out how best to heat treat so many.

I'm using 1095 and my quench tank is 3 gallons of Parks 50. I've done as many as three knives over the course of 20 min, but any more than that and I would worry about not dropping the temperature fast enough. This run is 10 blades and I'd like to do it as efficiently as possible while maintaining a quality heat treat. How long should I give between quenches? Any thoughts?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Got a thermometer? If not, get one.

 

[John mc c]

Temps will tell you.get a gallon more to add some to cool as you go

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Here is a cool tip ( pun intended). Get a liter bottle of water and freeze it. Tie a loop of string on the neck. When the Parks #50 bath rises to 100F, take the bottle ( wipe off any condensation) and stick it in the oil. Let the temp drop a bit, remove the bottle, and quench on.

 

[Michael.Drinkwine]

I have a 1"x3"x12" chunk of aluminum that I stick in the quench oil when it gets too warm. Sucks the heat out pretty fast.

 

[Drew Riley]

If I’m not mistaken, parks 50’d max recommended operating temp is around 250F.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

What I have seen is it is a room temp quenchant usable from 50F to 100F, with 70-80F being the norm.

 

[HSC ///]

If I’m not mistaken, parks 50’d max recommended operating temp is around 250F.

I don't know that they have a max recommended operating... perhaps you meant the flash point which is noted as 275 F

 

[Rick Powell]

Here is a cool tip ( pun intended). Get a liter bottle of water and freeze it. Tie a loop of string on the neck. When the Parks #50 bath rises to 100F, take the bottle ( wipe off any condensation) and stick it in the oil. Let the temp drop a bit, remove the bottle, and quench on.

Excellent idea!

 

[Drew Riley]

I don't know that they have a max recommended operating... perhaps you meant the flash point which is noted as 275 F

Interesting. I could have sworn the one I read said 120C, not 120F, which is about 248F. My mistake.

Edit: I did find the following on http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet.aspx?matguid=ced5a030dfc94eb9b25c6ffd0b001752&ckck=1

"Low viscosity quench oil that approaches water in quench speed, yet gives a more uniform, less severe quench than water. Recommended for open quench system operating below 120°C.

Information provided by Heatbath Corporation - Park Metallurgical."

 

[Don Hanson III]

Interesting. I could have sworn the one I read said 120C, not 120F, which is about 248F. My mistake.

Edit: I did find the following on http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet.aspx?matguid=ced5a030dfc94eb9b25c6ffd0b001752&ckck=1

"Low viscosity quench oil that approaches water in quench speed, yet gives a more uniform, less severe quench than water. Recommended for open quench system operating below 120°C.

Information provided by Heatbath Corporation - Park Metallurgical."

That's a typo, max temp is 120f.

 

[cotdt]

Based on letting a cup of hot coffee cool to 120F, this would be similar. You would have to wait 20 minutes in between quenches at most.