Thread: Best HT information to "start" with?

I have a new gas forge on the way as of yesterday and it's supposed to be here Friday. I just don't seem to have the time to build one and after my fiasco of building a grinder...I just broke down and bought one. My question to you guys who have experience Heat Treating simple steels like O-1 and 1095, what would you recommend for reading as a primer before I start? I'm not looking for an encyclopedia talking about how the electrons must be in alignment...just the more simple stuff as I know that experience is really what really counts. I just wish I could copy information on a zip drive and download it, especially the experience part. Anyways, what's a good primer before I start?

Thanks in advance!

I wish I could remember 1/4 what I read. You don't have to worry about the electrons so much as the molecules. :<0) There is some great info right in here. Hint : [search box] I have seen Charlie show some things on you tube and lots of ideas there. I like watching vids myself.

Here is a basic thing I saved awhile back. Zip though or absorb there is enough to get you thinking. Heat Treating Toolsteel - Tips - Techniques & Useful Information

I find these once in awhile and have saved a few. I will share if I find where I saved them. https://www.flatground.com/support/support.jsp

You did scan the sticky right ?

Here is another handy search result >> https://www.google.com/search?q=heat...w=1360&bih=629

This was a good thread, on the subject. pretty straight forward.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...g-process.html

Pretty much any post by Mike Blue.

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A little more involved,

The books or articles by Dr. Verhoeven's are good

Pretty much any post by Mike Blue.

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

...The books or articles by Dr. Verhoeven's are good...

This one: Steel Metallurgy for the Non-Metallurgist: J. D. Verhoeven: 9780871708588: Amazon.com: Books or order it from ASM online. John deserves the support of the royalties he's earned for explaining this complex process in relatively plain English.

Thanks for your encouraging words Charlie, but I stand on the shoulders of giants, even as I try to launch fellows of your caliber into higher orbit.

I guess the hardest part will be calibrating my eye as I don't have a way to measure the heat other than a magnet. I do plan to heat in a pipe with a piece of charcoal in the end. I'm sure I will have more questions as I go. I've read "most" of the stuff listed, it's just time to make steel red & get some experience under my belt.

Thanks Guys

If you google heat treating O1, or any other tool steel, you can usually find basic info. And, +1 on all of the previous posts.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I guess the hardest part will be calibrating my eye as I don't have a way to measure the heat other than a magnet. I do plan to heat in a pipe with a piece of charcoal in the end. I'm sure I will have more questions as I go. I've read "most" of the stuff listed, it's just time to make steel red & get some experience under my belt.

Thanks Guys

You can acquire a decent thermometer that will read up to 2200 deg F for about $50 and its well worth it. While they are easier to use in an oven because the heat is a little more even. You definitely want to have a magnet handy if not. The slightest bit of lighting difference can change how the steel looks, I would never trust my eyes for the HT of a blade, its just too unreliable for the most important part of a blade. You can do everything right, but if the HT isnt right... nothing else matters.

Yep, should have a way to measure temps in a day or two...just waiting on the postal service. Mike Blue has been setting me straight the best he can...

Here's another link that might be helpful.

toolsteel


rs,
Tack