Slack tubs in freezing weather

[Strine]

Freezing slack tubs??? I don't think so. Not here at least. Half the State is on fire cos of the weather. I half expect a helicopter to drop it's snorkel into the tub and suck it dry. They're allowed to get fire fighting water from wherever they like...farm dams, reservoirs, swimming pools etc, and at the rate these are drying up on account of the drought, slack tubs might be all that's left.

Still, I'm half a world away from places that freeze over in December. Nonetheless Glenn, I'll keep an eye out for hard stuff lying across the tub for the next cuppla months

[B. Norris]

I heat up a big block of mild and set it on my anvil to warm it up in cold weather. When it looses color I throw it in the slack tub to melt the ice some. Couple of big chunks like this let you get to work pretty quickly and do not require electricity.

[Alan DuBoff]

It's been cold out west, but you guys talking about keeping your slack tubs from freezin' is making me shiver...Today was actually quite nice during the day out here, if it makes you feel any better guys! I was happy to get my overalls off and get my shorts and sandals back on after leaving the smithy today! <LOL!>

[Dale Russell]

G'Day World ,
as for my slack tub freezin in winter , i wouldn't know , means i'd ave ta leave the nice warm house to go see ( NO THANKS )
Not rubbin' it in either , yesterday was 34º C & are expectin' a lovely 38º C for saturday ( what a lovely birthday present )
All i can say it ROLL ON SUMMER .........

Dale Russell


p.s. Conversions for Temperature Measurements, celsius to fahrenheit - online temperature converter - on-line temperature conversions for youse ta convert temp º C ta º F

[Ralph G Gilmore]

My slack tub freezes solid every winter and if I was to heat it the with an electic tank heater the cost would be phenonimal. I however once read that the makers of damascas steel would hold the knife up to be hardened by winter winds. I tried cooling in the really cold air, and in the snow. The air works well but you have to keep the steel moving in the snow otherwise the snow acts as an insulator. Oh yes I also built a wood fire under my metal slack tub probably the best solution.

[Ten Hammers]

I cannot concieve of cost being a problem for a tank heater. 1500 watt heater works nicely for me ( floating stock tank heater ). Currently 13º F and I know it's a lot colder in Canada but the fact still remains. We normally have some below zero temps. I keep a 55 gallon slack tub.

[ThomasPowers]

Generally the only time I use water in the shop is to cool tooling and a coffeecan does fine for that; also to localize a heat and a coffeecan of water and a bucket to pour it over does fine for that.

What are folks using big slacktubs for nowdays that A36 can sometimes harden and break if quenched?

Thomas

[irnsrgn]

My slack tub is about 3 ft long, 10 inches wide at the top and 8 inches wide at the bottom with a V bottome made out of 12 gauge SS and about 20 inches tall with the top edges bent in and down a bit to keep water from sloping or boiling out. Its that size so I can quench a whole plow lay or a big shredder blade. I use it for everything else too.

[Archie Zietman]

Soap in the water helps a lot (provided you're using mild or wrought, but then again you wouldn't use a quench tank for tool/hardenable I suppose...) also, when cleaning out the fire, if I have large clinkers (I don't often, using corn and wood, but with manure I do get a very lot) I just dump them into the tub.

[Ten Hammers]

I keep a barrel in the shop. Full of water. I have no need to hog it over and try to drain it when cold weather comes. I use water for coal and I also ( from time to time ) need to cool a fairly big piece + other uses as well. I sometimes heat treat in it as well ( thank you for the edit button return )