Modiffiing a bench vice to plate qunich repost

[dogwood dan]

this is a link to the original post that has the tutorial

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1061125-modifying-a-bench-vice-for-plate-quenching

their wear a few questions that I was not able to respond to I have reposted those hear


Capbyrd
Registered User

So my understanding is that the goal is to get the metal from the furnace/kiln between the plates as quickly as possible. Aren't you wasting time by spinning on the vice. What if you used something more like a bar clamp that could just be slid closed but had to have the trigger pulled to release? Just curious here.

Dogwood Dan
I set the jaws slightly larger then the width of the steel I am using then pull the blank out of the kiln and set it in that gap (the plate at the bottom will keep it from falling threw). I then turn the handle turn the handle with my free hand. Once I have pressure on the black I set the tongs down and use both hands to tighten the hell out of handle.

 

[dogwood dan]

FixedFiend
Registered User

Using a simple 30 lb weight would be much more simpler, master knife maker todd begg does uses one, and it seems to be working.

I like to use the vice set up for several reasons. First I get very even distribution of force over the hole blank, giving me better control and consistence in my heat treat. I am ables to apply significantly more then 30 lb. of force if I need it. I also like that this reg is very compact and by using to in parallel I can quickly quench a bath of 6-10 knives. In the end every maker has his own way of doing things and this is mine.