Hardening Steel

Darren Wright

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Springfield, Missouri
The latest (June 2010) KC Woodworkers Guild newsletter had an article about making your own tools and hardening the steel (page 2, cont. on page 4). It had an interesting fact I didn't know, but thought I'd share...

"The simple test for knowing that the workpiece has reached its proper temperature for hardening is the steel will loose its magnetic property. Keeping a small magnet (with a large handle) handy lets you test the steel. When the magnet no longer sticks, the steel is ready for the quench."

http://www.kcwoodworkersguild.org/Newsletter/newsletter.htm
 
The latest (June 2010) KC Woodworkers Guild newsletter had an article about making your own tools and hardening the steel (page 2, cont. on page 4). It had an interesting fact I didn't know, but thought I'd share...

"The simple test for knowing that the workpiece has reached its proper temperature for hardening is the steel will loose its magnetic property. Keeping a small magnet (with a large handle) handy lets you test the steel. When the magnet no longer sticks, the steel is ready for the quench."

http://www.kcwoodworkersguild.org/Newsletter/newsletter.htm

Darren, that is only half the process. After that hardening you must temper or your steel will be highly susceptible to shattering. I destroyed an antique knife blade by not knowing that. I accidentally tapped the hardened blade against a vice and it shattered like glass. There are different techniques. Re heating then burying in ashes overnight is one way.
 
will the magnets lose their magnetic power if they get too hot ?
 
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