(Plate Quenching) I've decided to cross over

It would be very easy to set my hydralic press up to accept two aluminum plates (which I have). All I'd need to do, is have the kiln next to the press, pull out packet out and onto the bottom plate while hitting the switch, and I'd have instant pressing, mucho instant weight in fact. Would have to build on some sort of "retainer" to keep the blade from shooting out the side of the contraption. Mete, is this a viable idea? Or overkill? My press is rated at about 46,000 tons.
 
"So Shgeo , Are you essentially saying to use my "Cold Air Gun" on my mill where it was originally engineered to be ?"

No. I just suggest you try plate quenching alone first and see how it works for you. My feeling is that it is enough faster by itself to work without having to complicate the process.

"Or overkill? My press is rated at about 46,000 tons."

Definite overkill. Robert, all you need is contact. You don't need to deform the plates.
 
Robert, contact and just enough pressure to prevent warping is all you need. Maybe you've been thinking of the dreaded 'edge packing' .
 
mete said:
Robert, contact and just enough pressure to prevent warping is all you need. Maybe you've been thinking of the dreaded 'edge packing' .
Click to expand...


You must be right :D The more pressure I can apply to the steel, the more molecules can be squirted into void spaces :D Just kidding.
 
I guess you fellers would like to see my plate-quenching setup. I was going to take some pics of this last time, but the thread died off. Finally got off my duff and took some pics.

This is basically a Wilton Quick-action vise, with two 1.250" aluminum plates attached.
41357517-M-1.jpg


This pic shows the mount I made to make the vise work vertically instead of horizontally.
41357510-M.jpg


Here is a pic of the vise opened. It really takes very little time to get the blade set upon the bottom plate and just lower the top plate right onto it. The action is unlocked and locked with only 1/2 turn of the lever. FAST!
41357524-M-1.jpg


I dont have it permanently mounted yet, because I an going to make a cart that holds all my HT gear, and I will mount the vise to that when it is finished.
 
:eek:
just stand on the plates
with the chicken that you would have used in the old days to quench the blade in
hold it in your left hand by the neck with beak pointed to the north.. :D
a good beer in your right hand will cryo it just right for the first temper :D


oh BTW the chicken is reusable if you don't squeeze to hard from the
cryo-ing ;)

edited to add
Jeff nice set up.. I posted one min after you did :D
 
Mr. Higgins! That is quite the sweet setup. Did you drill and tap the aluminum? If so, is 1/4x20 stout enough? Also, what should I search Ebay under to find me a vise like that?

thanks,

John Frankl
 
John Frankl said:
Mr. Higgins! That is quite the sweet setup. Did you drill and tap the aluminum? If so, is 1/4x20 stout enough? Also, what should I search Ebay under to find me a vise like that?

thanks,

John Frankl
Click to expand...

Thanks, John. I did drill and tap the aluminum plates to 1/4-20. If you want to run an ebay search, look for "woodworking vise". You'll want one that's pretty big. Beware they have some really bad import vises out there. I bought this one from MSC. Its pretty strong. I reckon when I crank it down tight, there's a lot of force on the blade. Never had a blade come out of this setup warp on me, but one did warp when I stuck it in the dewar.
 
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