Quench Plates

[Tom Militano]

What is the preferred material for quench plates? Thickness, etc. Are they put in a freezer before use? Thanks

 

[Gossman Knives]

Tom, if you do a search on plate quenching there has been alot of discussion here. I use 1" thick, 6" wide and 18" long aluminum plates attached to a woodworking vise.
Scott

 

[F. Allin Kahrl]

6061 aluminum is widely available and cheap (if it's listed as 6061-T6, it's the same thing). It's a good conductor of heat and makes good plates. I've used 1" and 1.250" thick pieces and had good success with both, though given the choice I'll always go with the thicker heavier piece.

-Allin

 

[Dan Gray]

Tom I'm using 1" x 3" bars at the lengths I need ..on a lever hand press at room temp.

 

[Tom Militano]

Thanks everybody.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I have been curious about plate quenching for a while but the search function here leaves something to be desired- you get many, many responses that only have the word Quench in them before finding what you want. I know I am a bit lazy but it does get frustrating.