saskuatch83 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Hello all, I made a dinner triangle tonight out of 1/4 inch mild steel. Kind of a silly question but it has no ring! Just wondering why, I let it air cool could that be why? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madax Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 hi I have had that happen when I hung triangle from a chain, string made it sing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yep. Never hang the triangle from anything but soft cord. Leather works well, but rots fast. I prefer gutted parachute cord in a brown color because it looks like leather, but lasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 By air cooling it, you allowed it to normalize, like you would a high carbon steel. Mild steel needs to be quenched to make it ring, I have had good luck with big triangles just heating the corners to non-magnetic, one at a time, then quenching. No tempering afterwards like mid to high carbon steels. If you are sure that it is mild (1018), then Superquench is the way to go. If it is rebar, A36, or mystery metal, then a plain water quench is safer - no quench cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Ive found that the thicker steel rings better. We use 1/2" mild steel and it rings great.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saskuatch83 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share Posted August 14, 2014 I just heated it up yellow heat and quenched, no luck with the ring. I did try bang on some 1/2" and it does sing pretty good compared to what I used. So I guess like you guys said the thicker the better! The only reason I used smaller stock is because I was making this for my mom for a up coming camping trip and thought she would like something lighter. Thanks for every bodies input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Stock size and triangle size matters. Try 3/8 inch round and 10 inches on a side or 30 inches total. Keep the bends sharp. Good size for calling the family that is close by. Larger triangles and larger stock is good for calling folks from a greater distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Each leg is 1" different in length, makes 3 different tones. If you can't make it ring, don't hold it, hang it by a light cord/string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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