WOW!!! You sure got big quench plates! The aluminum I ordered was 1X4 -
Ken H>
i was looking for something faster. right now i put blade on bottom plate, add top plate, then big weight or 3. i use plates only for thin stuff, 1/32 to 1/16, not sure of temperature after quick dip in quench oil although blade is black. blades are cool to the touch in less than a minute.Scott, take a look at these plates - they are small at 1"X3"X12". See the brass rods toward bottom? I drop a foil wrapped blade between plates, to rest on brass rods. Then using the C-clamps I hand tighten as much as can. Never really had a problem with warping with blades totally inside plates. Once I had a chef knife where the tang stuck out the end 1" or so and it sure warped.
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Ken H>
quench plates also work on thin oil hardening steel. i have been using it for thin O1, 1/32 and 3/64, quick dip in quench oil, then between quench plates until cold. i am using aluminum plates then weigh them down. anyone have links to plans of clamping quench plates?