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Topic: Is this true?

Seth
Member
Member # 853

posted 07-25-2005 11:06 PM

I've heard that to temper a peice of metal so it is hardened you should heat it to around 250F (i forget the C) then quench it.
This sounds plausible, but ive also heard of people heated the item over either a gas ring on the cooker or int he oven.. is this possible?

Not that it would help me much, no way to make an untempered blade, nor much chance of buyign one either, oh well. Just like to know these things.

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Yeah, I got nothing for this..

Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Thomas james hayman
Member
Member # 655

posted 07-25-2005 11:30 PM

(don't worry, i'm not stalking you round the forum :-) ). different steels require different temps to temper them. some require air cooling and smoe require high tempeartures. this all depends upon the alloy.

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The allotment spot
http://tomsallotment.blogspot.com/

Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

Seth
Member
Member # 853

posted 07-26-2005 06:25 AM

wasnt really focusing on the heat needed, more on the 'can it be done in an oven?' factor.
It hought it was slightly funny, yet sounded plausable.

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Yeah, I got nothing for this..

Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Woodcrafter
Member
Member # 197

posted 07-26-2005 06:07 PM

An oven could probably get up to 500F while tempering metal should get to 1300F or there abouts depending on the metal, so no I don't believe you can use a normal oven to temper.

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Woodcrafter
14th c. Woodworking

Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

Gobae
Member
Member # 112

posted 08-02-2005 09:34 AM

quote:
no way to make an untempered blade, nor much chance of buyign one either, oh well.

Ok, since you mentioned blades I'll assume we're talking about steel here.

There are two parts to 'heat treating' steels; 'hardening' and 'tempering'.

Hardening is accomplished by heating the steel to its 'critical' temperature (around 1650F [800C] or when a magnet no longer sticks to it) and quenching it quickly. For some steels this means using one of the following types of quenching mediums: oil, water, salt water, or 'super-quench'. For some modern steels this can mean simply letting it cool in the air.

Tempering is accomplished by re-heating an already hardened piece of steel from 250F-800F depending on 1)type of steel and 2)desired softness (based on its intended use). The higher the temperature the softer the steel will become. Most items are tempered between 350-550F so 'yes' this stage can be done in your household oven.

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Gobae - The Blacksmith
Historic Strides Blog
Ancient Celtic Clans

Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Arik
Member
Member # 281

posted 08-03-2005 11:03 AM

As Dan says, it can be done in an oven. I use a GE, the self cleaning cycle can be quite entertaining. The longer the soak, 4-6 hrs for a heavy blade, the better. I have a sink of HOT water handy for the instant quench. It does depend on the alloy and the intent of the end product.

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Arik

Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged

Woodcrafter
Member
Member # 197

posted 08-03-2005 01:04 PM

Arik, how can it be done in an oven, if it needs to be 1650F and then quenched, raised back to 550F and then allowed to cool? I do not believe you are tempering if you raise the metal to 550F and then quench it.

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Woodcrafter
14th c. Woodworking

Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

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