Heat treatment of a File for a plane blade

[archiphile]

I have finished grinding the bevel and I am now ready to heat treat. This blade is made from a castoff hoof rasp. Dose anyone have any idea if they are air, water, or oil cooled. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you


Best,

Archiphile

[Chuck Richards]

The problem with some hoof rasps is they can be case hardened.This means that to re-harden it would require some form of case hardening. Here is hoping you have a HC steel rasp. I would first try a quench from non-magnetic in warm oil, tranny fluid or even used crank case oil may work well. If it does not harden in the oil then use brine. If you have a piece of the rasp remaining then do some testing on it rather than risk the blade. Good luck

[archiphile]

Thank you chuck I will give it a test on the remainder of the file. I am assuming by brine you mean a mixture of salt, soda, and water.


Best,

Archiphile

[Chuck Richards]

Archiphile

The brine I have used in the past was water and rock salt. Mix in the salt until a potato floats. This is the recipe that is in JPH's book.

[archiphile]

Thank you chuck, I actually found a recipe and have heat treated the blade. I tested a piece of "scrap" and found that it was brine quench. Thank you again

Best,

Archiphile

[Chuck Richards]

Not a problem. You can apply this to any of your found steels. I would just do the test before you did any major work just to be safe.

Have Fun