LongShadows

Very enjoyable reading. Three decades have passed since my college metallurgy classes helped me to understand and anchor my approach to a lifelong love of metalwork! This article was well written and should be required reading for everyone.

Hi, I have used Tempil sticks, extensively during my 40+ years as a Journeyman Tool and Die Welder. They are a fine product with great accuracy. (But, they are quite pricey!) They work fine for Pre-heat, interpass temperature and Post-heat during proper applications of welding/heat treat procedures for Tool Steels. I have moved on to using the proper rated electronic laser pointer type IR sensor guns. I am not a blade maker, but I have done the "heat treating" for dozens of hopeful knife and sword makers. I have flame-hardened fillet knives made from saw blades; case hardened marginal stee

There are already many good responses to your original question, but I thought I'd share an URL that is loaded with good info about many steels, including heat treat procedures. www.suppliersonline.com

This is not only a great topic, but it is timely as well. Only recently have I started to sell my artwork. Before this point, it felt to me like I was selling my children! (lots of sentimental value) As my art teacher told me, " Get over it! You gotta eat, don't you? " These are the few rules that help me in determining price. 1 . Keep track of the hours you actually put into making the piece. 2 . Keep track of your material costs and add ten per cent for carrying fee. 3 . Determine how much your time and skill are worth per hour, and stick to it! If Anyone in a service oriented busi

The term "mild steel" is part of any metal craftsman's vernacular, but it ought not to be used since it is at best an imprecise definition and is not a category in the manner that most people use it. While I am not a metallurgist, I did study several courses in metallurgy in college and have a fair understanding of its definitions and some of its processes. It has been my experience that what many call Mild steel is just about anything softer than a Mill Bastard File. I dare say that what many are quenching in Gunter's famous Super Quench is NOT mild steel if it results in turning the steel ha