[TheForge] Tempering

[Roger R Degner]

vermiculite is used to anneal to make an item dead soft or as soft as
possible.  To temper you need a torch or oven to bring to a specific temp.
This is normally checked by polishing the piece and then watching the oxide
colors run
----- Original Message -----
From: <phud@phudpucker.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 11:31 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Tempering


> Gents,
>
> In attempting to fabricate a replacement part for my buggy wheel tire
setting machine I find that I need to temper the steel. I don't want it to
become too brittle so I've been trying various quenching media. i.e. water,
various oils, etc. I've seen some of you mention vermiculite as a medium.
Anybody care to explain the benefits of the various methods and media and
the degree of hardness achieved by each?
>
>