Last minute Heat Treat Questions
OK I’m just about ready to heat treat my file razors, but I’d just like to run my plan past some of you guys and get your opinions.
I’ve read a lot of stuff on the subject and some sources seem to contradict others, so I could be a little confused on what I need to do.
Here is the plan:
Normalizing: Heat the blade to non-magnetic and soak for a couple of minutes, remove and allow to air cool (on a steel rack?) until the blade is no longer glowing. Repeat for a total of 3 cycles.
Hardening: Heat the blade to non-magnetic and soak for a couple of minutes.
Quickly plunge the blade into warmed quenching solution and agitate. Remove when blade is cool enough to touch. Remove excess oil, test hardness with file.
Tempering: Wrap blade in foil or in tray of sand and place in pre heated toaster oven at 205C or 400F for 1 hour, allow to cool to room temp and repeat.
A few other details: Is there a preferred way to place the blade in the quenching solution? Cutting edge down, tip first etc?
I can get 4 litres of cheap motor oil or 4 litres of Canola oil for around the same price. Is either OK for this exercise, would one be better than the other?
Thanks guys
Grant