Slack tubs in freezing weather

[Marc]

In my previous shop, it got well below freezing during the winter in there and I used RV antifreeze. I used two gallons of it with about 14 gallons of water. When things got really cold, like -20F, the tub would get slushy, but never froze over.

I found the smell to be pleasant and it didn't seem to affect the quench at all. But I only used mild steel. I don't know how it would be with any water quench higher carbon steels.

My new house is on a hill and the shop (formerly a garage) is about half-way into the ground. This is enough to keep the inside from freezing, even when it's -20F outside.

[welder19]

Well if I was in the profit making side of this hobby then that would be a different story, but I am not at this point, it's just a hobby so keeping cost down is important.
Marc, thanks for the info, I'll give it a go and see how it works.

welder19

[drogo]

I use old propane tanks for my slack tub(30lb) and oil quench. I just cut another 30 lb apart(top, bottom, and then in half) so I could put a 100w light bulb under the water and a hot plate under the oil(warm oil is beter than cold for most oil quench steels) Just cut a keyhole in the side so I could put the outdoor fixture under it. Ill put the light on at night when not in the shop to keep the water from freezing

I get the old propane tanks from a friend who works for a propane company. They take the valves out and wash them out for me with water. Then I let them sit upside down for a month or two. Completly empty when I start cutting.....If you dont know...NEVER cut into a propane or other type of tank without being completly sure it is TOTALY empty and depreasurized. Big BOOMs suck

Drogo

[tbrforge]

Feed and seed for immersion heater for livestock. I will not be working anyway if my slacktub freezes over. I'll be sittin on the Fisher warming my backside.