[TheForge] Superquench/hardening power hammer dies

[Schade]

Dave and all,

First thanks for all the comments.

The original question was in reference to hammer dies for the new 
dovetail die holders I just got from Sid at Little Giant. They are just 
the dovetail section of the die with two tapped holes for mounting your 
home made dies. The hole spacing is the same on top and bottom 
dovetails. About  3-1/2". The dovetail is 1-1/2" thick for both top and 
bottom.

The original LG 25 dies were 3" top to bottom (according to Sid). If 
you use a 1/2" thick plate to weld your die to that leaves 1" for the 
die/hammer/anvil thickness. So it's 1-1/2" for the dovetail which stays 
keyed into your hammer. 1/2" x 4-3/4" for the mounting plate and 1" for 
the actual die (i am using 2"x3"x1" A36). So this is not really a 
massive part to quench in a five gallon bucket.

First I'm going to try Otto Bacons formula which is just Cascade dish 
soap and water. If that gives a little hardness...fine. If not I might 
mix up some super quench and try that. If iI start wearing dies out I 
will buy some W1 or O1 or etc. Chances are that I will wear out before 
the dies tho.

Happy New Year to All.

Bob
____

On Dec 29, 2004, at 7:34 PM, David E. Smucker wrote:

> The parts hardened and measured by Otto Bacon had a cross section of 
> 1/2 x 1/2 with a Rc 50.  This is not the same as a piece the size of a 
> hammer die. Dave Smucker