Okay, now that I have it, what do I do with it??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
Finally got my heat treat oven! Now I got some questions.
1- How many blade packets can I heat at once? Can I stuff it full or do you leave some space between the packets?
2- Will it hurt a blade to leave it in the oven longer than the required soak time?
3- If it will hurt a blade to leave it in the oven longer than the required soak time, how do you heat more than a couple packets at one time, ie. while the first pack is being quenched the others have to be held at soak temp?
4- Do the packets have to be stood on edge and if so will a fire brick with slots cut in it work or would a metal plate with pins be better?
5- Should I cover the oven floor with ceramic plates or something to protect it?
6- Do all steels require normalizing at or near 1400 degrees before ramping to the hardening temp?
7- From the previous questions, does it sound like I know anything about heat treating knife blades?
8-What is the average speed of the yellow tailed swallow?
9- Did I do thaaaaaattt?
Oops, what do you clean the steel with before puttin it in the foil??
Muchos grassyaces for any help, tips, tricks, lessons, knowledge, facts, ideas, information,annecdotes, and or jokes!!!

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Take care!! Michael
jesus.jpg


Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!

My Web Site
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
Michael-

I can't help you a bit on this, but I'm thinking it might help out the guys that can if you told them things like what kind of oven it is, what size, and the like.

Good luck
smile.gif

Nick
 
I know zip about air hardening steels. But, it seems to me that all the hardening, normalizing, hardening and tempering are described in pretty precise terminology. I can't help but wonder if trying to do heat treating in a wholesale fashion might cause considerable risk that the steel simply won't be right in many cases.

Time after time I've read that heat treating is the sould of an effective knife blade. If it is that important, it seems to me it has to be taken very seriously, and that anything that is likely to cause one to heat or quench or temper things longer or shorter than necessary is playing with fire. Sorry, had to say that. I mean it must be regarded as seriously, maybe more seriously, than any other aspect of building a knife. Cutting corners will only result in inferior blades, IMO.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
michael,

Its' FUN really
smile.gif


I think the first thing you need to do is make a rack that will fit inside your oven to hold the blades. I made mine by bending some .093 stanless into a channel about 1/2" high, 6" long and wide enough to fit inside the oven. Then I drill holes for 2" stainless screws about 3/8" apart and about 3/8" in from the ends in the top. I use two nuts on each to hold them. These separate the blades and keep them secure while you take them in and out of the oven. I have an aluminum bar 1/4" X 1" with an angled slot in the end that I use to lift my racks in and out with. DONT TOUCH THE COILS WITH IT!!
eek.gif

My oven has removable tiles in the bottom. I can slide my racks on it easily. I would ask Paul Bos about the ramping. My oven takes a while to get back up to temp after I open the door so I go right to the desired temp. This is my AUTO ramping MODE
smile.gif

I usually do 4-5 blades at a time because that's all I can press quench or air quench at once.
Once you leave a D2 blade in too long and have to remove the SCALE on it you will NOT do it again. I clear my shedule on heat treat days. I have my other oven set up for tempering and my LNX dewar ready for Cryo, some cold beverages and my stereo going !! Once you do a few runs, I think you'll find it fun. I actually look forward to my heat treating.

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
not sure about yellow tails, but barn swallows fly at 27 mph

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Sola Fide
 
Thanks for the help guys!!
Neil thanks for the encouraging post! I was afraid it'd be like diggin ditches in the hot August sun. Man this is gonna be a blast!

------------------
Take care!! Michael
jesus.jpg


Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!

My Web Site
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
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