Jeff Mack Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 How do I keep my slack tub from freezing in the winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 go to farm supply and get an electric tank heater element, they should be about ready to go on sale. also some engine block heaters will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Move your slack tub to sunny Australia:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I have heard if you put a 2x4 in, it wont freez or not till it gets to well below freezing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 2x4 or a short log just pushes up in mild freezing so the ice has someplace to shove instead of out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 A floating stock tank heater works really well. I have a 55 gallon slack tub and even if it does freeze lightly, the tank heater will thaw it ( sometimes temps drop kinda quick or I forget ). As with all things, care should be used when using electricity and water ( read the warning tag on the heater and enclosed warning statements ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_sandy_creek_forge Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 I used to use a fence post (one of the T-shaped metal ones), when the slack tub would freeze overnight, I'd just lift out the chunk of ice that was then frozen to the T post. Granted, you lose a little water, but it saved me getting wet in winter trying to knock a hole in the ice:) Now this winter, it might not be a problem, seeing as the dogs like to drink all the water outta the slacktub, despite the gallon bowl of water next to their food... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mack Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 Thanks everyone! I'm not ready for snow yet. Night time temps are getting down to frost points. Ick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbear Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Perosnally, I like the Australia idea best. Brian in Ottawa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 What to do about the slack tub freezing? December and the temps are falling, I thought I would bring this topic back to the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 Freezing slack tubs??? I don't think so. Not here at least. Half the State is on fire cos of the weather. I half expect a helicopter to drop it's snorkel into the tub and suck it dry. They're allowed to get fire fighting water from wherever they like...farm dams, reservoirs, swimming pools etc, and at the rate these are drying up on account of the drought, slack tubs might be all that's left. Still, I'm half a world away from places that freeze over in December. Nonetheless Glenn, I'll keep an eye out for hard stuff lying across the tub for the next cuppla months ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Norris Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 I heat up a big block of mild and set it on my anvil to warm it up in cold weather. When it looses color I throw it in the slack tub to melt the ice some. Couple of big chunks like this let you get to work pretty quickly and do not require electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan DuBoff Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 It's been cold out west, but you guys talking about keeping your slack tubs from freezin' is making me shiver...Today was actually quite nice during the day out here, if it makes you feel any better guys! I was happy to get my overalls off and get my shorts and sandals back on after leaving the smithy today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 G'Day World , as for my slack tub freezin in winter , i wouldn't know , means i'd ave ta leave the nice warm house to go see ( NO THANKS ) Not rubbin' it in either , yesterday was 34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph G Gilmore Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 My slack tub freezes solid every winter and if I was to heat it the with an electic tank heater the cost would be phenonimal. I however once read that the makers of damascas steel would hold the knife up to be hardened by winter winds. I tried cooling in the really cold air, and in the snow. The air works well but you have to keep the steel moving in the snow otherwise the snow acts as an insulator. Oh yes I also built a wood fire under my metal slack tub probably the best solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I cannot concieve of cost being a problem for a tank heater. 1500 watt heater works nicely for me ( floating stock tank heater ). Currently 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Generally the only time I use water in the shop is to cool tooling and a coffeecan does fine for that; also to localize a heat and a coffeecan of water and a bucket to pour it over does fine for that. What are folks using big slacktubs for nowdays that A36 can sometimes harden and break if quenched? Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 My slack tub is about 3 ft long, 10 inches wide at the top and 8 inches wide at the bottom with a V bottome made out of 12 gauge SS and about 20 inches tall with the top edges bent in and down a bit to keep water from sloping or boiling out. Its that size so I can quench a whole plow lay or a big shredder blade. I use it for everything else too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Soap in the water helps a lot (provided you're using mild or wrought, but then again you wouldn't use a quench tank for tool/hardenable I suppose...) also, when cleaning out the fire, if I have large clinkers (I don't often, using corn and wood, but with manure I do get a very lot) I just dump them into the tub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I keep a barrel in the shop. Full of water. I have no need to hog it over and try to drain it when cold weather comes. I use water for coal and I also ( from time to time ) need to cool a fairly big piece + other uses as well. I sometimes heat treat in it as well ( thank you for the edit button return ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimag Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Ah yes...frozen slack tubs.I have one of those,frozen solid.I've had one of those every winter. I take a small bucket of water from my house[providing it ain't froze too] to the shop to use as quench. I dump it when I'm done...usually.I have on occasion, had 2 frozen slack tubs.:)Life in northern Canada.However not only do we walk on water,heck we drive trucks and Cats and all kinds of stuff on it.Now..if I could just change this water into wine...ah ha ice wine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 It's that time of year, I had to break about 3/4" of ice off this morning. What about RV antifreeze? Anyone tried that? Would it affect the quench? welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Look bloke's OZ is great this time of yr ,, fly sth for the winter & enjoy Dale Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Well flying for the winter is a great idea...if your a duck, I used to use a 5 gal. bucket which was no big deal to dump when done for the day but when I started doing bigger work I got an old wooden wine barrel and cut it in 1/2 and use one half as my slack tub, the barrel was around 70 gal give or take, so I have around 35 gal or more slack tub, so dumping it isn't really an option. I had thought about a heater but really want to keep from raising the elec. bill any, which is why I also decided against putting air from the compressor into it for bubbles. Dish soap doesn't really protect too low....I don't think any way, anybody know how low? Which is why I ended up at the rv anti-freeze, and it isn't designed for cooling purposes, just for freeze protection, plus no enviromental issues. But as I said, I'm not sure what if any affect it would have on the quench. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RainsFire Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I think salt water would do the trick right? I just break the ice.. not a big deal, its pretty much 30' constantly here right now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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