cooter

Ok, I need to make some earth anchors out of either 3/8" or 1/2" stainless steel round rod. If you have ever seen those dog anchors that are similar to a cork screw. (helix ? )How would be the easiest way to do this? Has anyone ever made such a beast? Thanx for any and all replies. Dennis

What do I need to get to tell the temp in my forge? Need to be able to tell 1650 degrees. Thanx for your input. Cooter

So can I harden these pieces using an electric kiln oven?And if so in what steps and temps? Thanx for ya'lls time.

The steel I am using is 1/4" thick. Thanx again, Cooter, Dennis

Heres my problem. I am building fish gigs,and I called all around to find really good hard steel plating and was told to use AR400 by several steel places. The steel is not hard enough, it will not hold its point if it hits rock a couple of times. I have a gig here from a local fellow that will hold its point if it hits rock, but he won't tell me the type steel he used. My gigs are cut out with a plasma cutter. Is the heat from the plasma cutter tempering my steel back some? If so or if not so, can I heat treat this type steel and harden it, and then temper it? And at what temps do I use? I have an electric oven that will go to 2200 degrees. I am hoping oil quench will work and not have to do the Kasanite (spell) deal. Thanx for any input on this. Later, Cooter ( Dennis )

Thanx, I have some that I wanted to be harder and tougher, but guess it will be what it will be. Thanx for the input.

Can stainless rod be hardened by heat treating and quenching in oil or water? I think its 304 . Thanx for any feedback.

Thanx for the input. I'll keep ya'll posted as to how well this stuff burns. I was gonna just burn some down to insulate my pan against the really hot fire when I get ready to run it.When I get it finished I'll post a couple of pics. I didn't put a stack on the hood, instead I cut a louver slot about 6" long and 1" wide and then welded a shield over it pointing out the back.But with that much smoke I don't think any size would be large enough, but maybe it will help after the first dies down. Thanx again, Cooter

How in the xxxx do ya'll get it to burn????????????? I didn't bust it up, but I threw some in the pan and waded up newspaper and that didn't work, so I got out a small hand held propane torch,that didn't catch it up either. Was it just too big, or do I need a small bed of charcoal to get it going? Thanx,Cooter

Ok, they don't sell coal anywheres around here that I kinow of. I remembered a train wreck about a year ago that spilled its coal and it was only about 5 miles from me. So I went down the side of the tracks to the wreck site and picked up some. Alot the size of your fist. So what size should it be for forging? Size forge pan will be about 14-15 inch. I guess just bust it up with a hammer? I picked up about 60-80 lbs. I drive an official truck so no worries going to get it. Thanx, Cooter- Dennis

Is there a site where I can see what temp to get certain steels to in order to harden them? Also how do yall tell the temp of the bed or the piece to be worked or hardened? Thanx again, Cooter

A couple of questions. The inlet(air) hole in the bottom,,,is bigger better? It has about a 1" hole without me doing anything,,, not a problem for me to open it up to 2" , if need be. Also, does it matter where, in my stand up pipe I put the damper or closer flap?, and is that used mainly for cleaning out , and not to control air flow? I think I am gonna go with solid fuel, but it will have to be charcoal, I don't know where theres any coal around here. Also where can I get the clay to line the bottom of the forge? I do need to line it right??? Thanx, Cooter

Heres a few pics of my thoughts.Tell me if I should go ahead and weld this together.Or should I do something different? If I do it this way I will have to work the air inlet in some way.Waiting for ya'lls input. Thanx

Ok, I took my plasma cutter and cut out a propane cylinder. I cut it and left like a 5" side wall and left some that will act as a hood. I seen some with a hood around and over them. Now my question is this, can a propane burner like from a hotwater heater be used? If so, does forced air make propane hotter? If so how do you mix the air to the propane. I am gonna find a way to mount to a stand then I'll post pics to get input where to go from there. Cooter

Thanx I am going out to the junk pile to see what I have to make something from. I'll get back to ya'll after I see what I have. Thanx, Cooter

If you use propane for the heat source, do you need anything in the bed of the forge? I have about a 30 gal. old propane tank, and I have a stainless steel beer keg, wouldn't either work for a forge? I also have some 12-14 gauge square steel pipe about 16" square.I have alot of stuff that I could probably build one from, as long as I get the jest of it all. I've been reading up on some and will soon or later get it (understand ). I understand you need forced air coming in from the bottom of the forge,right? can it blow straight in from the bottom, or do you need to have a deflector to spread the air out?I will keep researching and asking questions till it sinks in. Thanx for all ya'lls input. Cooter

Is the can lined with something also? I just need to read up on making a forge to play around with. Thats a neat picture. Thanx, Cooter

Thanx, never too much food for thought.Anybody know how hot just a bed of charcoal gets by itself? Thanx, Cooter

Heck, I might try the salt water. The ice wouldn't thaw to quick, we were suppose to have gotten down to 21 last night.Brrrrrrrrrrrr.Thanx for the tip. Later Cooter

Your probably right, but when I told the wife she might want to play with some ceramic molds if I could find a kiln, she kinda looked interested.He-He, Thanx, I will go check out the BP's . Later Cooter

I was told I could use a ceramic kiln. I was trying to pick up one locally. Is electric heat any different than coal or gas? Isn't heat, heat? No matter the source? Thanx, Cooter- Dennis

What is a BP? Where can I find it,them? Thanx

What is the dia. of the overhead door springs? When you heated them to straighten them out, didn't that make them loose some or most of their temper? How hot did you get them to be able to straighten them out?Thanx for all your input. Cooter

Yep, I get pieces of info from folks like you,and it makes me want to look into more of this stuff. I am just playing around right now till I get some serious steel and an oven of some sort. Thanx for the info, that does tell me something else to try. Later, Cooter

I took a piece of steel( not sure of grade ) that was for lack of measurements, shaped like your hand , it was a fish gig, and 1/4" thick. I heated it red over a propane burner outside and then dipped it in vegetable oil. If anything what did this do to it? I could still file the points fairly easy. Just playing with this till, I get an oven and the right oil.I was curious to see if it would change it alot. Thanx, Cooter

P.S. It will ring for over 15 seconds if you strike it, sorta like a tuning fork.