Redneck heat-treat

[evosbu1]

I'm using my barbque pit to heat some 5160 steel up and then drop it in a bucket of water to quench. I just wait until the stuff is glowing red hot and do that about three times. Just using charcoal with gasoline instead of the ol lighter fluid. It's been taking forever.

any advice?

 

[David Martin]

Use propane it can get hotter quicker. There have been articles written in Blade magazine on forge heat treating blades. The author gives a design of his oven and all. Plus, I would oil quench it in warm oil, then put it in your freezer, turned to it's lowest setting for 3 days. Remove and give it 2 tempers. You can Google and read about heat treating that steel. Sites will give instructions. DM