Outdoor Fire Pit For Heat Treat?

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ConneA98

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My mother wants my father and I to build an outdoor fire pit. If we make one, would it be sufficient for heat treatment if lined with refractory mortar, filled with lump coal, and blown with an air compressor? And by the way, is 5160 relatively simple to heat treat?
 
I would pick a hair dryer rather than air compressor unless you have one with a large tank. It would work but would not nearly be ideal.

5160 isn't a good choice but would work. 1080 or 1084 would be much better suited for that setup.
 
From the Moderator:

ConneA98,
I know you are excited, but you really need to sit back and do some reading. Nearly every question you have asked is in the stickies, or can be found by using the bladeforums search engine.
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra

Take some time and read the stickies on heat treatment; working with three steels; the basic How to Make a Knife tutorial; etc.
Don't just glance at them, but read all of the info. After reading all the stickies, ask about what you don't understand.

Some common answers to common questions:

1084 is the best starter steel for 99% of all new makers.
A fire pit is nearly the worst HT source you can use.
As a new maker, a heat source is rarely needed. Sending the blades out for HT in the beginning is far wiser.
Any belt grinder is better than no belt grinder, but starting with files and sandpaper is the best for your first several knives.
Making knives takes time and concentration. Learning how to make knives takes lots of time and lots of concentration.


Have fun
Read more and post less in the beginning
Take your time


It would be good to have your dad post on this thread and give us his thoughts about your knifemaking desires and his level help and support.
 
bladsmth said:
From the Moderator:

ConneA98,
I know you are excited, but you really need to sit back and do some reading. Nearly every question you have asked is in the stickies, or can be found by using the bladeforums search engine.
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra

Take some time and read the stickies on heat treatment; working with three steels; the basic How to Make a Knife tutorial; etc.
Don't just glance at them, but read all of the info. After reading all the stickies, ask about what you don't understand.

Some common answers to common questions:

1084 is the best starter steel for 99% of all new makers.
A fire pit is nearly the worst HT source you can use.
As a new maker, a heat source is rarely needed. Sending the blades out for HT in the beginning is far wiser.
Any belt grinder is better than no belt grinder, but starting with files and sandpaper is the best for your first several knives.
Making knives takes time and concentration. Learning how to make knives takes lots of time and lots of concentration.


Have fun
Read more and post less in the beginning
Take your time


It would be good to have your dad post on this thread and give us his thoughts about your knifemaking desires and his level help and support.
Click to expand...

yep! Stacey is giving you sound advice here! just read! read the stickies, read the WIP's (works in progress) brows the threads go back in them and just read. people can turn out knives primitively with a sledge hammer head in the ground for an anvil and fire pits and all kinds of ways but most like to use more consistent means. slow down my friend! this journey takes a while to do right and safely

good luck
 
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