[TheForge] Re: TheForge digest, Vol 4 #221 - 8 msgs

[jim wallbridge]

>
>Frosty said:
>Quenching is indeed the biggest challenge, process wise for sure.
>
>The steel I'm going to try for the face is (go ahead cringe) 1" grader edge.
>Not because I think it's superior in any meaningful way, I just have plenty.
>There's also the matter of availability in Alaska. The chance finding good
>tool steel, let alone an exotic without paying a premium, special order
>price + shipping is about nil.
>
>There's a good chance this stuff won't need much in the way of heat
>treating. I've welded and torched it a lot over the years and it doesn't
>seem to anneal nor lose much in the way of impact and resistance. If you
>want to grind it you'll either go through a lot of disks/stones and time or
>do it at red heat and be miserable. If this doesn't work I haven't lost
>anything but some time. What the hey, it might even work and can make
>something useful from ASOs.

-- 
I would suspect that 1" grader edge would be made from one of the 
51xx or 61xx alloys I mentioned as these are economical grades that 
will provide high hardness (and therefore good wear resistance). 
Some alloy content will be necessary to get a thick hardened layer. 
I am surprised by your "it doesn't seem to anneal as this would 
indicate to me a very expensive alloy. If so I would agree that heat 
treating would not be needed. If it can be softened by a subcritical 
anneal (e.g. 1300F for one hr.), I suspect that it will be 
significant damaged (ivergeated in the heat treating termenology)by 
the time that the anvil and the steel have been heated by makeshift 
ways to get a reasonable cu based braze.  This is the reason for my 
suggestion of a seperate heat treatment. 
(James ME Wallbridge P. Eng.) Libertarian, Metallurgist, Wood & Metal 
Worker, Fly Fisher,  Resident of Calgary,  Canada's new head office 
location of choice.   Permission is hereby given to use any or all 
information herein, as an attributed quote, unless the body of the 
message states otherwise.