Quench plates recommendations

[Fish30114]

I am considering bringing my heat treat in-house--I've always had a third party do my heat treat on anything except file/farrier rasp knives I make. So, I am seeking input on what to use for quench plates--and also heat treating oven recommendations--

Any advice/input is welcome!

 

[drew1972]

I bought mine on ebay 1"x6"x18"

 

[DAMNENG]

I use 3"x3x1/2" aluminum angle 24" long. they are mounted on a quick adjust vise and have a squirrel cage blower blowing down the length of the angle.

 

[SBuzek]

I use 2" X 12" X 12", go big or go home. I lucked into them very cheap.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

I use 2 pairs - enough thermal mass to quench 6+ blades w/o need to cool down in between.
1 x 5 x 14"
1.25 x 5 x 24"

 

[butcher_block]

mine are 6x18x1 when i get a bigger iln i ll get longer plates

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mine are 3X1.5X18".

 

[Kentucky]

Mine are 1”x5”x12” I think. eBay is a much better and cheaper place to find them than knife supply places

 

[scott kozub]

I have 1x4x12 . General concensus is that 1" would be minimal thickness. By from eBay or metal supply. Metal supermarket have an online price thing to give you an idea. I find there actual price is alway cheaper.

As blunt cut noted they do heat up after a few blades. I'll stick them in the dry ice while heating my next blade to cool them off.

 

[Fish30114]

Thanks for the input folks, I have purchase from Metal Supermarket before--I'll look there and on the Bay

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Aluminum bars are often found at metal scrap yards. I bought mine for $2 a pound.