Quench questions

A

AWGunS

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Sep 16, 2006
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Looking for some guidance on quench tank(s). I have some 1095, and I am contemplating purchasing more 10** steel in the future, so going against some of my past posts, I will have a need to quench in oil of a proper type. Couple of questions I have are as follows.

-What are viable vessels that can be used as quench tanks? Should it be a longer, deeper tank (think trough), or simply a round deep container (think turkey fryer)? Knife length comes into play, so in my case 18" length is max.

-How much quench oil do I need? Simply fill the chosen vessel?

-How do you guys store it in between uses?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

A-
 
I have read of makers using large ammo cans, some use a trough type tank, and others use a large vertical pipe for a tank. I would like to know the reasons for each type of tank used. This thread is interesting to me because I am looking for the same answer as you.
 
I made mine from an old air tank of some sort. It is mounted vertical for a point in quench, and holds 5 gal. I cut the top down some to allow for 5 gal. plus a few inches because that's the common amount commercial oil is sold in, and even with 5 gal. after 3 blades the oil is getting near its over heat range. I have the tank sitting on a fish or turkey frying propane burner arrangement, and bolted to my bench by a flange on the top side to prevent it from being knocked over. I don't recall the exact dimensions but is deep enough to quench an 18" blade, maybe more. I prefer the vertical quench as I use 01 almost exclusively, and have experienced less warp going into the quench vertically. Of course if you want to edge quench you need a trough.
 
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Get one of these:

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It will pre-heat your oil and you can quench the blade somewhere between a tip first and edge first quench - the best of both worlds.

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i have mine in a 6 inch diameter x 24 inch long steel tube with a 12 inch square plate welded to the bottom. I have a lab hot plate that I put it on to preheat the oil, and a sheet metal cover to keep things from falling into the oil.

Point first quench will help keep warping from happening in quench, if you are edge quenching, don't bother with good oil, you will ruin it with flashoff oxidation, if you are full quenching get Parks 50, it is a lot of money up front, but totally worth it.

-Page
 
The biggest bang for the buck is getting a used oxygen tank ( or other gas tank) with about a 6" diameter....usually free.
Cut it off at the desired height. I have one at 24" and one at 48". The 48" tank holds about five gallons.
Make a cap for the tank. The cap should have a handle, be fireproof, and be able to keep water and critters out of the oil. Weld a strip of 2" sheet metal into a circle and weld that on a plate of steel...it doesn't need to be pretty.
Weld the tank to a 24" circle or square of 1/4" mild steel.
Purchase an immersion heater at one of the HF type places or on ebay. Use it to warm the oil.
The entire setup will not cost $50.
A pick-up magnet on a telescoping stick is good to get the blades you drop out of the bottom of the tank.Well worth the $2 at HF. They also work for checking the non-magnetic Curie point.
 
I have a couple of the biggest ammo cans available at the gun shows for my quench tanks. One has the Parks 50 and the other has Parks AAA. These ammo cans are so big, I've got 5 gallons of oil in each one and it looks like there's room for another 5 gallons in each. Plus, they have lids that clamp shut tight, to keep contaminants out.
 
I just found the first thing handy that would hold oil and accept a 8" blade without burning or melting.Its a metal knife display case for a Taiwan Buck knife.Since its been over 100 degrees here all summer,i havent worried too much about pre heating the canola.I do have a small hot plate im planning to use.According to everyone else's response,it may not be large enough.BMK setup looks pretty good for small to medium blades.I bet Goodwill will have those for about $5.00 like my temper over.(toaster)
 
I don't believe a crock pot will hold near enough oil to quench a blade properly, or would it maintain a accurate enough temperature. I am going with the idea of needing a container that will hold all 5 gallons of oil.
 
old fuel tank from the junkyard.

big turkey roasting pan, some also have their own covers.
 
It might be a good idea to avoid nonmetal containers. If the container cracks (like ceramic crock pots could) or melts and is combustible (like plastic buckets could) it could be catastrophic considering flammable oils, red hot steels and electrical heating elements are involved.
 
The larger Crock Pots hold 7 quarts and measure almost 15 inches across the long axis. The volume is more than enough to quench a blade and the temperature stays well below the designed temperature durning and after quenching, making a heat related failure of the ceramic very remote. A crock pot quench tank might be too simple or small for some people.
 
I usually quench several blades in one session so I need a lot of oil, when the electric roasters go on sale for Thanksgiving I'm getting 2 for my fast and medium speed oils. I'll just turn it on warm until I hit temp and they have a nice lid for storage. I think I will stick a pump in each for circulation.

Although after reading about edge quenching and horizontal quenching I may go for a vertical setup... need to read more.

Currently I'm using whatever holds the oil, lol aluminum turkey roasting pans. They only sell the roasters here for about 2 weeks of the year!
 
Thanks for the replies.

I like the ammo can suggestions as they come with sealable lids, can be stored out of the way under a bench, and aren't to obtrusive, and it is a short term solution.

Ultimately though, some of the other suggestions would be better in the long term with circulators and immersion heaters. I am very space limited, even more so here in the next coouple days as I have to make a spot for 3 tons of wood pellets. For those wondering, they will be on the opposite side of the garage away from any heating/quenching, and a fire extinguisher will be ready to go. The wife and I are contemplating moving, and we are both in agreement that I need more room and a separate building. Or in her words, 'if you burn down the garage, at least you won't burn down the house too'. Great woman.

Now where do I find some parks 50 and AAA?

A-
 
For the parks50 Maxim Oil - Their number is 817-293-4645


bladsmth said:
A pick-up magnet on a telescoping stick is good to get the blades you drop out of the bottom of the tank.Well worth the $2 at HF. They also work for checking the non-magnetic Curie point.
Click to expand...
They work good but when the plastic handle starts to look brittle throw it away, had a chunk pop off and went down into the cylinder. Took an hour to get out using surgical tubing,duck tape,and a vacuum.:mad:
 
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