[TheForge] Heat Treating Hitch Pins

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Ed,

We made hitch pins in welding class when I was still in school.  They were
not hardened clear through but case hardened.  The Idea was that they would
rather have it bend than snap under load.  The case hardening was to give it
ware resistance.  If you don't know what type of steel it is made of, it is
a real crap shoot doing the heat treat.

Bob Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo

*** Original Message ***
Subject: [TheForge] Heat Treating Hitch Pins
Reply-To: theforge@mailman.qth.net

The neighbor sold me a grain wagon and lent me a hitch pin, which I noticed
was bent when I got home.  It's a standard looking one.  I know someone here
has played with these things.  I'm wondering if after I heat it to
straighten it if and how it should be heat treated.  Oil quench and then
temper?

Come to think of it, I wouldn't know how to run tempering colors on the
whole thing.  I'm used to chisles and stuff.  Can I just pass a torch all
around it until I see the color I need?

Ed