Micro Torch for Tempering

[U.C.O.K.]

As you know, I'm a newbie. I need an insights on this mini torch for tempering application. Say I use carbon steel like O-1 for a small knife.

How realiable this tool? How can it be done? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The torch is not big enough to heat treat pieces over a couple of inches long.
You need a standard propane (or MAPP) torch to provide enough heat.
The mini torches are great for pin point applications, but just don't provide enough BTUs for large applications.

 

[U.C.O.K.]

The torch is not big enough to heat treat pieces over a couple of inches long.
You need a standard propane (or MAPP) torch to provide enough heat.
The mini torches are great for pin point applications, but just don't provide enough BTUs for large applications.

Any picture reference for that Bill? I have no idea. Thanks.

 

[U.C.O.K.]

How do you tempering a blade with this torch?

 

[Will Leavitt]

Now you say tempering or do you mean heat treating? Tempering is the process of softening heat treated steel to a usable hardness. Heat treating is the process of heating soft metal to the critical temperature then quenching to produce a hardened state.

 

[U.C.O.K.]

I need an insights on tempering with that kind of propane torch not for hardening.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The Bernzomatic will get hot enough to heat treat larger pieces. Use it with firebrick to reflect as much heat as possible.

 

[micad]

Why not try using your kitchen oven for tempering???


-Mike-

 

[Bill DeShivs]

For heat treating you need much more heat than a kitchen oven will produce. You can't "temper" without fully hardening first. Hardening is where you need lots of heat.

 

[Keith_H]

I think that he already has information on heat treating.
You may want to keep the blade at temp for a longer time (400F is good) That can be done in an oven. You can use the torch to bring the spine up to blue if you want.

 

[micad]

For heat treating you need much more heat than a kitchen oven will produce. You can't "temper" without fuly hardening first. Hardening is where you need lots of heat.

I believe he was asking about tempering, NOT hardening. A kitchen oven will work quite well (for most steels) for the former, not the latter. Had he asked about what it takes to harden a piece of steel I would not have suggested a kitchen oven.

I used the word 'tempering' for a reason.

Does anybody actually read the posts they are responding to?

-Mike-

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Excuse me!
Having a bad day, Micad?

 

[micad]

Bill,

Actualy I did have a BAD day---guess I took it out on you. My apppologies, sir!
I didn't realize it sounded so harsh until after reading your response and then re-reading what I wrote. My bad!

The point I was so poorly trying to make was that too many people reply to a posting without actually reading what has already been said or even what the original post was about. I know that I have been guily of this at times, but have been able to blame it on a senior moment--at least to myself.

Again, sir, my appologies!

-Mike-

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I read them, but must have missed his reply.
Lots of newbies refer to heat treating as "tempering."
Apology accepted.

 

[U.C.O.K.]

Guys, I knew what I asked. My concern is that the micro torch in my first post stated that it can generated heat to 1300 deg Celcius. And if it's a BS, let say it can only generate 600 deg Celcius, isn't that it's more than enough to tempering a small blade of O1?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Yes, it is-if you can distribute the heat evely. A larger flame will give you a more uniform temperature.

 

[U.C.O.K.]

Thanks Bill and others, of course. It really helps.