what is the easiest way to aneal a rasp and know what temp to get it to for a backyard hobbist trying to learn how to make spurs

1 Heat to nonmagnetic
2 Let cool slowley in dying fire over night.
Hope this helps,

What kind of forge are you using? For a gas forge place the rasp in at the end of your session and let it come up to non-magnetic and then turn the forge off and close the opening with a firebrick.

For a coal forge; heat to non-magnetic along with a heavier strip of steel the same length and bury both in wood ashes, vermiculite or between kaowool.

In years ago we used hydrated lime. Get yourself a metal bucket and a bag of hydrated lime (it is a very fine powder), when reaching the right temp plunge the metal into the lime. A slight dust bloom will occur so try not to breath in. Most likely will not hurt you anyway. Go to the movie or something lengthy like returning the next morming to dig out the piece.

We used to make drawbar pins for dozers and tractors so the material was used that way. Same bag lasted more than 5 years. We used a tall metal trashcan with a lid to keep the critters from falling in.

Vermiculite can be used the same way. But do use a metal container in a safe location.

Good luck and

Carry on