Quench container question

[mwhuston]

So I have a bucket of Parks 50 and am wondering should I put a couple of gallons into another container to quench or just quench in the bucket? I am leaning towards a couple of gallons in another container to prevent contaminating the entire 5 gallons. Secondly what type of container. I have used a plastic container with Canola in the past, but I'm not real comfortable with that set up. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Ray Rogers]

As you surmised, plastic is not really advisable. The container you use will depend on the type of quenching you do and how many knives you make at a time. For instance, I make one knife at a time and quench in a 4" steel tube standing vertically with 3 gallons of oil in it. This works for me because I don't edge quench and because since I only quench one knife I don't need to worry about the small cross section of oil being too hot for the next blade.

If you edge quench, look for a metal pan that can hold about 3 gallons of oil with sufficient depth for quenching. Three gallons provides enough volume to distribute the heat well enough to manage several blades. Some cooking pans have about the right size and shape for this. You could cut a pipe in half and make a trough if you can weld the ends.

Using 3 gallons also leaves you with two to spare. You'll need to top off your quenching oil from time to time just because a fair amount of it comes out with the blade ....

[fuzzy]

If you can find one the metal ammo cans make good quench / storage tanks. When your done just let it cool and close the lid.

[mwhuston]

Originally Posted by fuzzy

If you can find one the metal ammo cans make good quench / storage tanks. When your done just let it cool and close the lid.

Fuzzy. Do you mean the 20mm cans?

[jmccustomknives]

I use an old ice cream makers container for my small knives.

[Doug Lester]

A turkey fryer is a good size for most knives. They come with a lid and a burner to heat the oil in.

Doug

[mwhuston]

Do most of you heat your oil before quench?

[pcpc201]

Yes, it is generally recommended to heat to about 125 degrees F.

[Naboyle]

Don't heat your Parks 50 that high. Room temp is recommended.

[mwhuston]

Originally Posted by Naboyle

Don't heat your Parks 50 that high. Room temp is recommended.

Nice to know. Thanks.

I picked up a 40mm ammo can. It is just what I was looking for. It will hold 3 gallon with no problem. It's metal and water tight so I can seal it after the oil cools

[fuzzy]

Mine held IR binoculars holds 3 gal.

[Andrew Garrett]

I am using this thing right now. It holds a whole fryer box of peanut oil and is easy to move. I am not stoked about the plastic, but knifemaking is an exercise in precision, so this is just one more place to be careful--not a real issue at all.


It takes a while to get it warmed up with heated scrap iron, but I really like my results with peanut oil at 130*.

[BCROB]

Originally Posted by Doug Lester

A turkey fryer is a good size for most knives. They come with a lid and a burner to heat the oil in.

Doug

Oh I like this idea Doug !!

[R. Yates]

Originally Posted by Andrew Garrett

I am using this thing right now. It holds a whole fryer box of peanut oil and is easy to move. I am not stoked about the plastic, but knifemaking is an exercise in precision, so this is just one more place to be careful--not a real issue at all.


It takes a while to get it warmed up with heated scrap iron, but I really like my results with peanut oil at 130*.

Brother Andrew that is DANGEROUS ! Bar None ! If you drop a hot knife in the cooler it will hit the bottom and imbed into the bottom and that will cause all sorts of issues .

There are tons of METAL Containers out there for you to use ! with out creating a FIRE HAZARD on your own to contend with Brother . Remember SAFETY FIRST is what we all strive for in our Shops . we DO NOT want to read/hear about a fellow smith burning down their shop due to something that could /should have been prevented in the start . a Metal container quench tank is ALWAYS Best ! and for the price of that cooler I can get a Very top of the line pristine ammo box that would 1000% Safer for your tank Not to mention I have 8 of them Brother .

Ret, Sgt. Robert D. Yates

[Andrew Garrett]

Well..., I quench outdoors, so that should prevent a shop fire, but I do get some flame up when I quench. It's always exciting!

However, I am not one to be stubborn or hard-headed in the face of common sense. I have a local source for all sizes of surplus ammo cans through 20mm and even 40mm. I will obtain one post-haste.

Besides..., I'd kinda like to use the cooler as a cooler anyway.