Steel shrinkage after heat treat?

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I have a few blades that I am going to put guards on. Can I fit them before heat treat? Or should I wait till I get them back? I've heard that the steel can sometimes shrink? The blades are made out of ATS-34.
Thanks
Chuck

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[tom mayo]

although there is a complete molecular change in the steel...if there is any shrinkage, no one on this forum could afford the instrument to measure it.

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[RJ Martin]

Actually, the steel should GROW about 3-5% during heat treatment. As to your question, why not wait? You'l need to regrind, or at least finish off your blade after heat treatment, and, this will make it get a bit smaller. If you're doing a slotted guard, and you want a super precise fit, I'd wait.

Rj

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Holes generaly shrink . The old machinest tail is about .001 per inch. RJ is right about the guard fit up . For a good clean YOU CANT see the line fit you may want to fit after heat treat and grinding. As for hole size well it depends on the amount of slop before you heat treat. Drills sometimes drill a little oversize. You can use a carbide reamer or drill after heat treat also.

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[RJ Martin]

Darrel: Right-holes shrink because the steel expands(volume increases). Should have mentioned that.

RJ