Plastic quench tank concerns?

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
I'm having trouble finding a metal cylinder to quench in. (that wouldn't leak. P-50 can apparently leak out through imaginary holes :rolleyes: )
Would there be any concerns over using a plastic tank for a while? I never quench more than two blades at once, usually not more than 1...
Would it just be a matter of not touching the sides?
 
If your luck is like mine you will have oil all over creation in short order after quenching the first blade in a plastic container. Go to Goodwill and look around and find something that will hold liquid without leaking or melting.
 
I wouldn't. Never tempt "Mr. Murphy"...that guy always seems to show up when you least want him around. Plastic and high temps simply don't mix well!

If you have a welder, or have a friend that does, a simple piece of channel iron, with end caps welded on can make a serviceable quench tank. Even something like an old (or new) metal bread baking pan would be preferable to plastic!
 
For a full quench tank I use a old turkey fryer pot.
For edge quench I used a old turkey roasting pan.
 
I use a big galvanized steel bucket from Lowes. My quench oil has not leaked out.

You can also use 5 gal steel paint buckets.
 
what kind of plastic if you have a large bucket it may work just don't let the blade touch the side or bottom. If you intend to use it repeatedly get another bucket incase you melt a hole so that you can pour the oil into it
 
If nothing else go to a second hand store and get an old pressure cooker. You get a solid mettle container with a sealing lid cheap that way. Works for me.
 
Old pressurized water type fire extinguishers with the top chopped out makes a good deep quench tank for plunge quenching. A section of aluminum gutter ( like you find hanging on your eves) with the ends epoxied on (cut to whatever length you wish) makes a good edge quench tank. I suspend mine in a water bath which reduces the volume of oil needed.

Jim Arbuckle
ABS JS
 
I use surplus mortar shell cases. Cost around $12-20 surplus. Solid metal, watertight clamp lid so that your oil won't spill if the case is knocked over.

Big though - with a few bricks in the bottom, 5 gallons still doesn't fill them up. There are lots of different sizes of cheap military surplus ammo containers with similar specs.
 
As the previous post mentioned... military surplus ammo cans... and with Ft Benning in the neighborhood, should have a few in a military surplus store. Walmart/Target housewares aisle, pots, roasting pans, etc.. Home Depot/Lowe's/Ace Hardware... buckets. If you only quench a knife or two at a time, try a 1 gallon metal paint can. It would be deep enough to quench the blade and part of the tang unless you are doing some very large blades. And they are available at HD/Lowe's/Ace Hardware too. There are some active knifemakers in the Columbus area. You may want to get in touch with them.. perhaps they can help you. They tend to hang out on another knife site. Send me a PM/Email and I will get you some contact names.
 
Dan Pierson said:
I use surplus mortar shell cases. Cost around $12-20 surplus. Solid metal, watertight clamp lid so that your oil won't spill if the case is knocked over.

Big though - with a few bricks in the bottom, 5 gallons still doesn't fill them up. There are lots of different sizes of cheap military surplus ammo containers with similar specs.
Click to expand...

You must be using the same size I am. The watertight clamp lid is a huge bonus.
 
Offtopic: I quenched 5 blades from 440B this weekend, and suddenly I heard a frying sound from somewhere. I looked arround and I saw a fly, that was frying like chips in the heated oil. Poor insect decide to warm up in the oil, and fryed itself. I took it out crispy. :D
 
Thanks for the warnings, I thought that may be the case.. I'll go to lowes/home depot and see if I see anything usable.

..Really hoping to find something I can use to quench vertically, and not so big I need to buy park's.
 
5 gallon steel pails with a lid only cost about $10-15, and they are round so they fit on a stove or burner nicely.
 
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