second time i submited this q . this is not the kind of work a farrier does. i need a hatchet reworked and retempered.. tempering is a very tricky hardening process on certan kinds of steel that does not include horseshoes. there are manny,manny different kinds of steel alloys. i,m not putting folks down but this is not commonly known.
2006-09-15 05:51:42 · 4 answers · asked by houdini 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Bottom line: unless this is an incredibly expensive or extremely rare hatchet you should probably just by another one.
Retempering is complicated process that could probably only be done by either someone with extensive steel experience or an educated metallurgist who was access to a tempering machine or furnace. You need to look online or in a phone book for a local metal processor. If no luck there then contact the United Steel Workers of America Union, preferably a local shop, to get more info.
Reworking a hatchet would have to be done by a blacksmith or some sort of metal worker. Also, they can reshape it but to match the alloy perfectly and then add material back to the hatchet would require a metallurgist, buying the raw materials to get the alloy right, and recasting the piece would requires a furnace. There are common alloys of steel like chromoly steel (very very hard used in racecar parts, some edged tools) but really the sky is the limit on the steel alloys my clients could make literally whatever alloy anyone wanted.
2006-09-15 07:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by Matt M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know the most common alloyed steel used in a hatchet axe or hammer is called tool steel. Its a medium/low alloyed steel used primarily in machine shops or the like.
Tool steel can be hardened by MEDIUM BROWN to LOW BROWN heat (you will need to be in a dark place to notice the difference) and slowly dipping it in oil if you want it to become hard yet doesnt shatter. if you place it in water, it will harden but has a higher chance of breaking. ( do not immediately plunge it or it might break)
dont worry Ive been tampering hammer heads and blades for a long time. Just remember not to use a mild steel for this type of work. always use tool steel.
2006-09-17 22:59:20 · answer #2 · answered by arcturus pendragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I watch 'This Old House' all the time.Those Yankees have all kinds of tradesmen,that still do things the old fashion way.I would buy a copy of T.O.H. and check the back pages.Also,When ever I go to the Renascence festival,There are ALWAYS blacksmiths there.Another place I see Blacksmiths are at Country Fairs.
2006-09-15 15:43:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say where you are so here is some general info
Try typing a line in your search engine like
how to temper steel in home forge
That is how I found these
Ever wonder by what magic steel can be made either hard or soft? Me too. ... through a small hole in the side of my gas forge, and it seems pretty accurate. ...www.threeplanes.net/toolsteel.html
www.steelvillage.com/steel.cfm?Category=141
2006-09-15 13:16:41 · answer #4 · answered by Carol H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋