hidn45

Reclaimed vegetable oil from a fast food place seems to work well for my 5160 blades (& your shop will smell like french fries!). I heat mine to 140-150F to help with viscosity. The 1095 may want a faster quench, but I know guys that oil-harden the shallow-hardening simple steels in warm oil without problems. I've also heard about using veterinary-grade mineral oil, but I'm afraid I can't share any details. If you have the bucks for something specific for blades, Ellis Custom Knifeworks sells the Parks quenching oils. I believe there are at least 2 types depending on quenching speed desired. randy

Nice looking setup, Brian. Speaking of dragon's breath- I couldn't tell from the pic, but if the generator's still mounted to that VW fan, you ought to hook it up to a little muffin fan under the forge opening to blow the dragon's breath up & away from you. Actually, now you've got me thinkin'- I think I've got an old VW fan still in the shroud, that'd make a great air source for a father & son double forge for our shop..... hmmmm. Good stuff- randy

I don't know - you get that thing warmed up & you prob'ly wouldn't need a cab! 'Course you'd prob'ly be done with the whole neighborhood before you did get that big-block warm.... randy