How to remove scale

[zachtateknives]

I have always sanded scale off of the blade. Is there an easier way to do this? Like soaking in some chemical or something?

 

[Dan Pierson]

Vinegar.

 

[zachtateknives]

Thanks. I now know why vinegar was on my mind.

 

[woodwrkr221]

Will vinegar etch the base metal underneath the scale? I'm using carbon steel.

 

[C.Edmondson]

Sand blasting

 

[mete]

Watch carefully to remove scale and not too much metal underneath.
Quicker would be to use HCL available in hardware stores to clean concrete etc.

DO THIS OUTSIDE otherwise all you tools will rust !

 

[Sam Salvati]

Sand blasting

This is GREAT! also great way to prepare pattern welding stuff. Vinegar is nice and cheap though. Taking scale off is great all around, saves files and belts like crazy. Scales like 70 rockwell LOL

 

[Bufford]

When heat treating the blades make sure they are wrapped in HT foil and that the pouches are air tight. Double fold, pinch and tamp with a hammer along the seams of the foil pouches tight as this is where air can leak in. Place a chip of wood inside the pouch to reduce the O2 inside the pouch, that will prevent oxydation (scale) from building up on the steel.

 

[birdog4]

sodium bisulfite sold in hardware store for the romoval of rust stains