I have been trying to make knives out of old circular saw blades, I am trying to use these to get it right befor I buy good steel. but how do you go about heat treating them? I loose the temper when I make them and want them to hold a edge. Please help some one
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Saw Blade Heat Treat
- Thread starter Jerry123
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- Jan 29, 2005
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Heat treating is not a simple subject , but your question is better asked and answered here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741
Much of it depends on what type of steel you are working with. I have done it using an incredibly simple method that is about as "arkie" as you can get (no offense to anyone, my Mom who native to Ark.. taught me that word)
There are places and folks that might do it for you for a price.
At any rate the above link is where you need to start.
Good luck.
Much of it depends on what type of steel you are working with. I have done it using an incredibly simple method that is about as "arkie" as you can get (no offense to anyone, my Mom who native to Ark.. taught me that word)
There are places and folks that might do it for you for a price.
At any rate the above link is where you need to start.
Good luck.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2005
- Messages
- 549
Heat treating is not a simple subject , but your question is better asked and answered here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=741
Much of it depends on what type of steel you are working with. I have done it using an incredibly simple method that is about as "arkie" as you can get (no offense to anyone, my Mom who native to Ark.. taught me that word)
There are places and folks that might do it for you for a price.
At any rate the above link is where you need to start.
Good luck.
Can you elaborate on your method ... ?
Arkie means a hot brush fire, a can of burnt motor oil and a toaster oven(we have electricity now).I'm a college trained Engineer(with a degree),with training in all these areas.I am finding out that I,m learning more through these forums that College ever offered.I am currently working on some file blades(experimenting),with the Arkie metod.Look up tempering,heat treat,normalizing,forging--it should give something to read for a while---Google it.Yes I am from Arkansas,we may be behind the curve but were content.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 6,768
hehehhe close...
Actually it is a small BBQ bought at Wally mart. A professional knifemaker will wince at this though (and perhaps rightly so
)
Stack up your coals into a little mountain and light them , let them get to red ash state and then carefully insert your piece so that it is covered by the red hot coals , make sure your vents are open and prop up the lid with the bail so that the open space is smaller , your wanting to create a vortex of wind , next I use my little house fan on high and put it right up close , you will see the difference once your air pattern settles in. Keep a good metal magnet nearby and a thick glass/jar(something heavy duty) of ( used motor oil , olive oil - etc).
If you have done it correctly your piece should be red hot in about 20-30 minutes (depending on thickness etc) , this is best done at night so you can see it glowing , use a long set of pliers or heavey tongs and carefull remove your piece and then check it with your metal magnet , it needs to be heated to the point of non-magnetic, if it so then slowly dip your piece into your oil pan/can/jar whatever and let it slowly cool , it is even better if you pre-heat your oil some , the main point is so that it cools slower.
Now I do not fully understand all the finer points of why and how but that will work , mind you it is quite primitive but not too far from how our forefathers did it.
When your piece is cool , clean it off with de-greaser , polish it up some , you will have a bunch of scale on it most likely.
Then you want to do some 'baking'
Three cycles of 2 hours each at 450 degrees in your oven should do it , after that you are ready to clean her up and do your finishing work.
Now if I am off on any of this someone feel free to chime in please.
Also if you choose to try this , PLEASE be careful !! Do not burn yourself or your house , use common sense.
Good luck and you MUST post pics of your finished piece :thumbup:
Actually it is a small BBQ bought at Wally mart. A professional knifemaker will wince at this though (and perhaps rightly so
)Stack up your coals into a little mountain and light them , let them get to red ash state and then carefully insert your piece so that it is covered by the red hot coals , make sure your vents are open and prop up the lid with the bail so that the open space is smaller , your wanting to create a vortex of wind , next I use my little house fan on high and put it right up close , you will see the difference once your air pattern settles in. Keep a good metal magnet nearby and a thick glass/jar(something heavy duty) of ( used motor oil , olive oil - etc).
If you have done it correctly your piece should be red hot in about 20-30 minutes (depending on thickness etc) , this is best done at night so you can see it glowing , use a long set of pliers or heavey tongs and carefull remove your piece and then check it with your metal magnet , it needs to be heated to the point of non-magnetic, if it so then slowly dip your piece into your oil pan/can/jar whatever and let it slowly cool , it is even better if you pre-heat your oil some , the main point is so that it cools slower.
Now I do not fully understand all the finer points of why and how but that will work , mind you it is quite primitive but not too far from how our forefathers did it.
When your piece is cool , clean it off with de-greaser , polish it up some , you will have a bunch of scale on it most likely.
Then you want to do some 'baking'
Three cycles of 2 hours each at 450 degrees in your oven should do it , after that you are ready to clean her up and do your finishing work.
Now if I am off on any of this someone feel free to chime in please.
Also if you choose to try this , PLEASE be careful !! Do not burn yourself or your house , use common sense.
Good luck and you MUST post pics of your finished piece
:thumbup:
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
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I guess those old saw blades should be made from L6.
A material I'm currently trying to make a plan to work with and heat treat.
If you run into anything interesting or any good charts relating to L6 please let me know via email. Just left click my user name and send me a message!
Good Luck!
A material I'm currently trying to make a plan to work with and heat treat.
If you run into anything interesting or any good charts relating to L6 please let me know via email. Just left click my user name and send me a message!
Good Luck!