[TheForge] Steel substitution

[Dave Brown]

At 06:42 01/17/02 -0500, you wrote:
>While we are on the subject, I got hold of some old W-1 steel pieces the
>other day. 1/2 inch hex bar.  I was thinking I would use them to make up
>some punches, etc.
>Anyone remember the heat treating method?  As I recall, it was heat to
>bright red, (past magnetic) then quench in water, then temper to straw????
>for center punches, chiesels, etc.
>
>Any thoughts?   Would these also hold up for hot punching, if kept cooled
>often?
>
>John

You can find the technical side of W-1 specifications at:
http://www.principalmetals.com/properties/result.asp?Family=Tool+Steels&MetalName=W1

For heat treating only it says:  "Heat treatment is somewhat dependent upon 
section size, or intricacy of the part. For large sections, or intricate 
shapes, slowly preheat to 1100 F and then slowly increase temperature to 
1500 F.  Hold for 10 to 30 minutes and then quench in water or brine."

In short, what you said will work.  At 1/2" just be sure to heat somewhat 
slowly so that the heat soaks all the way through before quenching.  I use 
a magnet dangling on a string for checking for when the steel passes 
critical temperature.  I've heard that quenching from too high a point past 
critical temperature will give poor results.