Plate Quenching

ArtinNC

ArtinNC

Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
983
Any one here ever do ATS34 Plate Quenching?? Every picture that I'v seen they lay the knife down flat, would it be better to keep the knife vertical ? looks like the blade would warp because it not supported. And how long would you leave it between the two alum plates??
Thanks , Art
 
Any air hardening steel can be plate quenched ,including ATS-34.
Vertical or horizontal , it makes no difference. You of course will put pressure on the plates.
 
Yes, I have a wood workers vice with a quick release so I can clamp quick, and the alum plates are 1" thick.
 
However, don't quench in oil to 500 degrees and then lay on the plate expecting you will have time to get the second plate on top of it before it bends all to heck.

Cause you won't.

But you will be sad. Martensite formation on the plate side will start immediately, at least in my one experiment that I'd rather not repeat.
 
Boy, I don't know I'v had the 1" thick 3" wide 26" long for years and I'll bet it really costs a lot more now.
 
Jg, keep an eye to eBay. I found a 12x12x1" plate that I cut in half. However, they're not free ;).

--nathan
 
On the HT information that I have says to clamp between two 1" alum plates with pressure for two minutes and should be hand cool, then remove the foil for cryogenics.
 
Ok Jerry , question. Is there a advantage to laying the knife flat on puting it between the plates vertical ?? And do you have to let the plates cool between knives. If so how long??
 
i can take 3/32 cpm154 and have it in hand under 10 sec

plates are fast with the + of pressure (i have even done 3/32 O1 and got full hardness)
 
butcher_block said:
i can take 3/32 cpm154 and have it in hand under 10 sec

plates are fast with the + of pressure (i have even done 3/32 O1 and got full hardness)
Click to expand...

Do you lay the knife flat or vertical , I'm sure you have it vertical in the oven.
 
vert in the oven and flat inthe plates (but if you math it a bit youi see the i hav ete O1 under 300f in 5 sec)

ont thing the i hav see warp a pile of blades is lyig flat in the kiln

most the time i have blades come out mostly flat but that little arc in the blade keeps the steel fromm the plates till the 2nd one is in place an dthe pres does its work
 
Art, I've seen people do them both ways and I don't think its a big deal either way. The only thing I can see is that, if you lay the blade flat,you have more contac on one side so slap that top plate on fast like.
Now with a distal taper; I take it out of the foil, lay it flat, add top plate, clamp,turn it up on edge and look down between the plates to be sure that the point is center of the space . If not , quickly, with an old hacksaw blade reach in and get it right.
But you have to remember, I'm just an old hillbilly and don't do things quite like everybody else.
Jerry
Added--Same thing with tapered tang. Never made a knife with distal taper and tapered tang
 
Last edited:
I mounted my plates on vise jaws. Just drop the blade in and crank it closed. Easy as pie.
 
Jerry,
((Added--Same thing with tapered tang. Never made a knife with distal taper and tapered tang )) that was going to be my next question.


Fiddleback,
That's how I'v got mine. I'll go out and take a picture of it.
 
Did ATS34 blade plate quench today and have them in liquid nitrogen now till morning. I just did 5 blades think that is all I can handle in one firing. After the 3rd blade the plates were pretty hot so I cooled them down with ice in a baggie befor I did blade 4 and 5. I'll temper them tomorrow. then I know a machine shop that can test the Rc and see what I have, I'm shooting for Rc60.
 
ElectricZombie said:
We keep the plates in a freezer unitl we need them. Cools the blades quickly.
Click to expand...

Then I'll need a couple sets of plates?? and a easy way to remove them from my quick release wood workers vice quickly, so they can be cooled again??
I could hold the SS envelope in my hand to cut it open after 2 minutes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top