[TheForge] quench questions

Tue Dec 28 15:59:37 EST 2004

It is always a good discussion on "super" quench, (I wish it was called 
"rapid" quench, keeping in mind that there is no magic at work here.)  Best 
data I have seen to date is that with small section (1/2 x 1/2 square A36) 
you can get to a Rc of 50 or so.  An that is without any drawing or 
tempering.

In large sections such as a hammer die or even a hammer die insert would 
someone please explain the physics on how you will quench this rapidly 
enough to get a hard surface let alone any depth of hardness.  Also keep in 
mind that for power hammer dies you will be running hot metal on them and 
draw the surface from the temperature of the metal.  As to what hardness I 
would like for dies -- the low Rc 50's would be great -- similar to a good 
harness for your anvil.  Tough is as important as hard for hammer dies.

So why not use a good steel to make your dies from.  4140, 4150, 4340, would 
all be great as would be a 1060 if you could find it.  I know, I know you 
have to buy these unless you are lucky and find a drop somewhere.  But it 
you want a good steel to use for dies from the scrap yard why not try 
railroad rail.  It is close to 1080 with more mag in it -- about 1 %.

Some folks have made good dies from 1045.  I have made all kinds of very 
good hammer tooling from 5160, leaf spring material.  I would also consider 
using 5160 in a composite or welded up die.

Dave Smucker
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "comcast" <marc3rd at comcast.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:28 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] quench questions

>I usually put some in my slack tank for winter. It does smell and I worry
> about breathing it but I don't notice too much difference.
>
> Speaking of that I think I forgot this winter. bet I'll have to get a new
> barrel in spring
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com>
> To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 12:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] quench questions
>
>
>> ..and fire.  Less flammable than some quenching oils, though.
>>
>> If anyone decides to try this out, I'd suggest they NOT use ethylene
>> glycol antifreeze (yellow-green-dyed, toxic, used in car engins) but
>> rather propylene glycol antifreeze (pink, "non-toxic", used in RV
>> plumbing).  Aside from the issue of dogs drinking it, I'd be concerned
>> about breathing the vapors.
>>
>> Bruce
>> NJ
>>
>> >>> crimsonkil at lycos.com 12/28/2004 11:02:30 AM >>>
>> A little of the subject,
>>      Has anyone ever tried quenching in antifreeze?  High boiling point
>> would tend to reduce stresses below 400 degrees, I bet it would cool
>> almost as fast as water.  Just worried about vapor/smoke.
>>
>> -Chris K.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Justin Fellenz" <sunironworks at yahoo.com>
>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] superquench questions
>> Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 07:42:42 -0800 (PST)
>>
>> >
>> > Anybody tried water-wetter, the antifreeze alternative? It's
>> supposed
>> > to have very good thermal transfer properties as well as decreasing
>> the
>> > surface tension of water...is that what a "wetting agent" does?
>> >
>> > Just a thought.
>> >
>> > JRF
>> > --- Roger Degner <rog781 at means.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Some suggestions I have heard for Basic I
>> > > Kodac photo flow  used in the film developement
>> > > If you are in a rural area farm supply stores sell a wettning
>> agent
>> > > to be
>> > > used when spraying farm chemicals dont know the name.
>> > > Also have heard of using Jet Dry
>> > > Roger Degner
>> > >
>> > > > Just reporting what I've seen; no testing here.
>> > > >
>> > > > Simple Green sounded a bit strange to me. Jet Dry on the other
>> > > hand,
>> > > > sounds like a wetting agent, which may be the ticket.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> > > theforge mail list group photo site is
>> > > http://www.photoaccess.com
>> > > Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> > > password:  anvil
>> > > ___________
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> > theforge mail list group photo site is
>> > http://www.photoaccess.com
>> > Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> > password:  anvil
>> > ___________
>>
>>
>>
>> It is I who formed the blacksmith,
>> who fans the flame into a fire and
>> fashions a weapon fit for it's work.
>>
>> -- 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Find what you are looking for with the Lycos Yellow Pages
>>
> http://r.lycos.com/r/yp_emailfooter/http://yellowpages.lycos.com/default.asp?SRC=lycos10
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> password:  anvil
>> ___________
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> theforge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> password:  anvil
>> ___________
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
> 