Temporary quench tank

[DanF]

The more I look for scrap metal in my area the more I realize I live in a junkers wasteland where nothing can be found for cheap.
I have a half-dozen long blades I need to quench after forging that are too long for my stainless stock pot. After this handful of long knives are done, I will no longer need the taller tank.
This tank will be used outside, away from the shop with proper adult supervision and extinguisher in hand.
If I had a permanent need, I’d pay the roughly $100 for a metal pipe to be shipped. So, my solution is a piece of pvc pipe (I know), with a heavy stove pipe insert so the blades will not come in contact with the pvc.
okay for very careful, temp service, or fuggitabout it?

 

[Natlek]

Just be careful not to roll over , I think that is more dangerous then PVC

 

[Natlek]

You know what ?You make me wonder if that is at all possible ? I mean to melt PVC from inside touching it with red hot steel .............I think that it is impossible !Oil will not allow plastic to melt . You can take plastic Coca Cola bottle full with water and put right on the fire and ALL you will get is boiled water .

 

[Cushing H.]

Dan - I have not yet done any quenching, but if you only do one blade at a time and let the thing cool off between quenches, I suspect you should be ok. BUT...

agree with natlek, do something to reduce the tip-over chances. ALSO, how is that sealed on the bottom? Looks just like caulk directly on the plywood. I would not trust anything other than a true pvc end cap attached with correct pvc solvent...

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Dan - with the stove pipe liner it should be fine. I would put a piece of metal in the bottom, too.

If you are coming over my way, or have a buddy coming this way, I have several tall tanks and will be glad to give you one.

Natlex,
Your example is different than a quench tank and sword. A hot blade will go right through a PVC pipe filled with oil. Then you have a burning tank with a spout of oil coming out. It happens all the time with people quenching in the plastic 5 gallon oil bucket. PVC melts between 100 and 200°F/40-100°C. Most oil is in that range before the quench (130°F/55°C). Test it out if you want.

 

[DevinT]

Good thinking, it’ll work fine.

Hoss

 

[Drew Riley]

I’ve been using a similar quench tank for years without any issues, though I have been planning to upgrade. I’ve got some 5” square tube that I’ve been thinking of welding to a base, though I’m debating making another matchine pedestal out of it instead. Decisions, decisions....

 

[DanF]

Thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate it.
I’m currently looking for a cap and in the meantime I cut a metal disc and dropped inside to cover the bottom. Since my forging is done outside, I could bury half of this in the ground to stabilize it. Considered quickrete, but then I would not have the option of taking it out and changing out the quenchant as the need arises. I will likely spend more time prepping this than using it!
Thanks again!

 

[SirSpice]

You can buy 120mm mortar ammo cans on Amazon for $19.99 ($27.99 shipped).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081X72XZD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[DanF]

You can buy 120mm mortar ammo cans on Amazon for $19.99 ($27.99 shipped).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081X72XZD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Be worth having just for the sheer volume, thanks for the link!

 

[Mitchell Knives]

An old SCUBA tank with the top cut off works too.

 

[DAMNENG]

Dan
I went through the same process over 20 years ago. Here are a few options from smallest to largest.

Metal toilet bowl brush holders, they usually come with a brush and a lid - loose the brush!

Metal umbrella holders like the ones that sit by the entrance door, usually brass or brass coated steel

The old style fire extinguishers, either the soda acid style, or the pressurized water variety
Square metal fense post tubes. Check your local fense companies.

Thrift stores, flea markets, junk stores (usually labeled antique stores) gsrage sales, Craigs list, ebay.
Happy hunting

 

[JTknives]

Save the money and send the 6 blades to me and for $57 I will heat treat them for you.

 

[DanF]

In for a penny..., .

 

[Natlek]

Natlex,
Your example is different than a quench tank and sword. A hot blade will go right through a PVC pipe filled with oil. Then you have a burning tank with a spout of oil coming out. It happens all the time with people quenching in the plastic 5 gallon oil bucket. PVC melts between 100 and 200°F/40-100°C. Most oil is in that range before the quench (130°F/55°C). Test it out if you want.

Well .................I don t think so . You are just guessing and you never try that , my friend
My example is right on the money .....I will not future explain why that can not happen .I try that many years ago but here another one time just for you and it is very thin PVC ...I deliberately/purposely touched the plastic with whole side of that thick piece of steel.....i do that several times , even i try with big thick knife.....I can t see ANY mark on PVC .
I WOULD NEVER NEVER USE PVC TANK for QUENCH steel , just to be clear .But not for reason Stacy is saying ............
I watched many times how knife makers quench swords.....they pull it out to early , /probably to see if blade bend /they do not immerse completely blade and fire start and hot burning oil leaking all over the place....call for disaster , right ?

 

[Goat-biter]

Dan
I went through the same process over 20 years ago. Here are a few options from smallest to largest.

Metal toilet bowl brush holders, they usually come with a brush and a lid - loose the brush!

Metal umbrella holders like the ones that sit by the entrance door, usually brass or brass coated steel

The old style fire extinguishers, either the soda acid style, or the pressurized water variety
Square metal fense post tubes. Check your local fense companies.

Thrift stores, flea markets, junk stores (usually labeled antique stores) gsrage sales, Craigs list, ebay.
Happy hunting

Funny about the toilet brush holders, I am currently considering that. Toilet roll holders as well. They have a lid for flame extinguisher

 

[Goat-biter]

One of the things I am now considering is a stainless food steam pan. You can get one with a lid and a cooling tray/small metal grate that sits inside but off the bottom, for like $20 total. 1/3 size would be ideal for knives under 12in. There is a 1/2 size long that is about 20 in. the sizing for these are interesting, on their own standardized system

 

[Pinoy Knife]

https://www.all-wall.com/Advance-24in-Heli-Arc-Mud-Pan?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6ZfLkKij-QIVv2xvBB1LqAoWEAQYCCABEgIewfD_BwE

dry wall stainless mud pan. .just need a lid in case of flame up.. from 10-24 inch long easy to get

 

[Ken H>]

View attachment 1425519
In for a penny..., .

You must have got the last one, the link above no longer has a price and doesn't seem to be available. Looks like the perfect quench tank.

 

[DanF]

You must have got the last one, the link above no longer has a price and doesn't seem to be available. Looks like the perfect quench tank.

Hey Ken, this was from back in 2020.