soften metal up

[Dakota 11]

I did some searches first and not sure if i am on the right track or not. Because of my trade i have a alot of tools called wonder bars that are left on roofs alot. most are 1 and half inches wide by 12 in long buy 1/4 inch think. I got bored as i wait on 2 more books to come in and started to grind 1 down . Problem is it is super hard. how do i go about soften it up to make it more user friendly?. I tryed using some metal blades on my sawzall to do the rough shape of it and the teeth on the new blade barely even bit into it. Thanks again.

 

[DAMNENG]

Assuming you have steel of some short, and not knowing what variety it is, Try the following: Since you say you have several of these bars, heat two or three until they become non magnetic, group them together and poke them in a can filled with vermiculite. Make sure they are covered completely. This should allow them to cool slow enough to at least partially anneal them.
You can heat them with a torch if you have one that puts out enough heat. A BBQ grill will also work. Forges or Kilns are better.
If you don't have vermiculite you can use wood ash. Basically heat to above upper critical point and cool slowly.
If I knew what you had to work with and what kind of steel I could be more specific.
Try center-punching one of the bars before and after for an idea of how well the softening worked.

Jim A.
Good luck

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Dakota 11 - You really need those books.Don't do anything untiil you understand what you are doing.
Stacy