jfigler

It kind of looks like you just put an edge on a flat bar and wrapped a rope around one end.

I believe this is correct. Annealing will help with hardness when the steel is cold as far as I have ever been taught.

Love your videos, J.  Always things that are very useful but I would never think of looking into on my own.

What's wrong with plain old mild steel for tongs?  Am I missing something or are people really hard on their tongs?

I'm from Manitoba and found it much, much cheaper to drive down to the States to pick up Coal. I see Montreal is only about an hour North of Vermont, I'm sure there is a town near the border that you can find it in. I got mine from Tractor Supply co. Its anthracite, but it suits my needs just fine.

Small hijack but related; Are the leaf spring steels and steel from a coil spring, like those used in shocks/suspension generally the same quality?

21 hours ago, Irondragon Forge & Clay said:

With coal to soak a large piece, I heat till it looks right color wise then stop the air flow and let it sit, then apply air and repeat several times, being careful not to overheat.

I was just dealing with this on Saturday. I was having a xxxx of a time tapering and drawing out some larger round bar because I was so afraid of burning the end while the larger sections were still heating up. I don't know why it never occurred to me to just turn off the blower.

14 minutes ago, DuEulear said:

if it where me i would save it for punches and quietly source some mild steel from elsewhere and enjoy the deal on 4140

Yeah, that definitely came to mind. I could finally make a nice hammer drift I've been thinking about.

Ah, sorry Marc, I linked the wrong video.  This is the one I mean the attempt this weekend.

Hi guys, my local steel/machinist didn't have any mild 1" round bar but gave me 4140 for the same price because I drop by a lot. I was planning on making candle sticks similar to the ones made in this video:

Do I need to take any special considerations into account regarding quenching or do I even need to quench for decorative art? I'm new to the game and really only make tools.