Lime for Annealing

L

little mac

Joined
Dec 3, 2005
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In a previous thread some alternatives for annealing media were discussed. Also discussed was how the prices of such things have skyrocketed.
Amoung the suggestions was lime. It is indeed cheap still, especially when compared to Vermiculite or perlite at nearly 3 times the cost.
What wasn't mentioned was which kind of lime. Seems garden lime can be had in various size granualations. For this purpose, it would seem to me the finer the better. I also discovered there is masonary lime which is a powder I think, but not sure it's anywhere near the same thing or suitable for annealing.
So, which lime do I need ?
 
While I can't make a recommendation on the lime. I can give you my advice on granular size, personally I would go with the small granolas. If you get too fine a lime you might have problems pushing a knife into it.
Vw
 
I used lime when I first started out. It worked ok. I like vermiculite better. Easier to get the blade into and seems to hold heat a little longer. Anymore I do a normalizing/thermocycle series and grain refinement rather than a vermiculite anneal. Getting more consistent results.
 
I'm surprised that lime works at all, after all, it's just ground up limestone ROCK, and at least to me, not especially known as a good insulation material.

- Paul Meske
 
When they use lime, I believe that it is the fluffy light powdered Hydrated Lime, or quick lime.

It's light like flour, or wood ash.

I'd stick to Vermiculite or Pearlite though, that quick lime is tough on the lungs and burns the eyes.
 
In knifemaking there are things to cheap out on and there are things not to cheap out on. I don't see $15 difference for a bag of perlit or vermiculite being worth the troubles of using something like lime.

If you really can't afford perlite or vermiculite you can use hardwood ashes....
 
I had not considerted the toxic nature of the lime to be honest. Of course going cheap has it's advantages in that the money not spent here can be spent somewhere else. But as you say the risk ain't worth 15 bucks. The first time I accidently airate that stuff and get it in my eyes amoung other places, I'll wish I had spent the extra money and if it should require medical attention, it will surely cost more than $15.
Points well taken. Thanks.
 
check a garden supply store for a broken bag of vermiculite or pearlite - 25 pounds for $20 or so doesn't sound that expensive to me. (that's something like 3 cubic feet of the stuff)
 
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