January 24, 201412 yr I'm wondering what most people here use to cool off tools from getting too hot when in use? Oil? Water? Wax? Tar?
January 24, 201412 yr I use a little bit of forging oil that was a gift from a mentor, not sure whats in it, but it works well. Also saw that on here as well, cools and lubricates.
January 24, 201412 yr For punches i use Beeswax. After the bees wax I dip it in a little coal dust and scale to lubricate punching.
January 24, 201412 yr I'm a water guy right now, but I'm hoping to a combo of charcoal dust and paraffin wax soon.
January 24, 201412 yr Greetings Frog, its nice to see that you are not all frozen up and alive and well... I tried beer but ran out before I got the job done... LOL Water is my choice for most work, I use mostly H13 material and it works for me.. If I am going through large stock I use a mixture of anti-size compound and coal dust.. Stinks a little but again it works for me.. I don not see the benefit of wax or oil because it just burns up prior to the work being done... My Michigan 2c.. I wish you well my friend.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
January 24, 201412 yr Coal dust for lube! It's very handy and works well! Water to cool. A dip in water then spin in the coal bucket and ready to go! I use duplicate tools if I am doing very much punching. I never purposely quench from above critical temps. unless I am hardening... keep em cool or let them normalize!
January 24, 201412 yr Depends on the tool and how hot. My H13 tooling I generally water cool if they are not very hot and air cool if they are very hot.
January 24, 201412 yr water, I've got a little tomato paste can that sits in a hole in the stump on the far side of the anvil from my working side. Tip from Dorothy Stiegler a few years ago, wipe the water off the punch! Funny how I didn't notice the drip of water was cooling my iron in the process of finishing up the hole. Now I wipe the punch off on my leg or apron out of habit. the little box full of coal dust to lube the same punch is on the tool table.
January 24, 201412 yr Farrier supply places sell Forschners hoof packing in a tub...I have a hole in anvil stump and keep it in there...a quick push into it while steel is back in forge is easy and works.
January 25, 201412 yr I've used bees wax (good for cooling and for working at black heat) vegi oil (if I got it to dang hot) and water.
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