Ok so I just got my #50 quench oil in today. Next up is a tank to put it in. Yes I know it can't be plastic so it's going to be metal. Also will need to/have to filter it often.
So, from what I intend to do with it is is I would *LIKE* to make larger stuff like large tanto's but not full sized swords and probably will be doing much more smaller items. I was looking at a range of items like parts washers (metal ones are expensive), stainless feed trough's, brownell's blue tanks. It seems that horizontal tanks are cheaper than the vertical tanks. I was looking for some ideas, suggestions as for what type of tanks to get. My setup will be portable so I need something I can move and store with out getting contaminated.
Horizontal may be the way to go, especially of you are mostly working with single edged blades, they will give you more control in the quench. You can get some odd distortions (reverse sori) when quenching some single edged blades vertically. Double edge blades must be quenched vertically but it sounds like the horizontal will work best for you.
"One test is worth 1000 'expert' opinions" Riehle Testing Machines Co.
Ed I have one of the Brownells bluing tanks and it works very well. You may want to put a drain spigot in for ease of removal of the oil. I believe they also have a shorter version, mine is the long one.
I also have a vertical tank just for daggers and other double edged pieces.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
What are you using for the vertical tank? I looked at some pipe but that stuff is heavy and expensive.
Ed
I use an old fire extinguisher that was decomissioned from work with the top cut off for a vertical tank. An old stainless steel or plain steel icecream freezer may be another option. Do a little looking and you can probably find something reasonable that will work.
The one thing to keep in mind is that the tank size needs to be large enough that the hot blade does not cause a dramatic rise in the oil temperature.
Brian
Ed for my vertical tank, I went to a place called Metal Supermarket and bought some 1/8" thick four inch diameter black pipe, three feet long. Then a plate 12" square of 1/4" steel at the same place. I think the total cost was around $30. Then I welded them up and made the tank. It is rather heavy but I know it is going to be there for a while. It has peanut oil in it and I have a small pump that fits on a drill to remove the oil.
I like Brian's idea of the old extinguisher. Do some looking and see what you can come up with. Used restaurant supply places are prime spots as a lot of what is used in restaurants is stainless.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
I called up this fire extinguisher company today and ask if they had any old tanks. They did and told me to come get it, it as free. So I got a Badger WP-40 water fire extinguisher that is 2 1/2 gallons and it's stainless steel.
The wall thickness is 0.08 thick that is below the shoulder. Approx size is 6x21 inches.
Just have to be mindful that it is *NOT* a fire extinguisher anymore but an oil quench tank! I can see someone grabbing and spray parks #50 on a fire <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Ed
I was thinking about using a 40mm ammo can (they are around $20 at Army Surplus stores).
They are approximately 18L x 5W x 10D" with a water proof lid.
Thought that would be good for storage. Has anybody tried this?
If someone has or if there is something I have not taken into consideration please speak up.
Thanks - Charles
I was at lowes tonight and they have an oval pan that is 5.5 gallons, it's galvanized and $15, it's 18 1/2" long at the bottom and 22" at the top and 12" wide.
