Quench Oil

[kbaknife]

In response to a post on another forum, I posted up some quench oil info that some of you may appreciate here.
We speak a lot of the Parks #50 for the shallow hardening steels like the 10XX steels, W1 and W2, all of which need to get the heat sucked out of them FAST!! to avoid reverting to pearlite.

We speak seldom of the oils designed to extract heat at a slower rate to accommodate the deep hardening steels like 5160, 52100, L6 and O1.

I was lucky enough to get 15 gallons of Texaco "A", which was the go-to oil for a loooooooong time for the deep hardening steels.
Back in about '03 or '04, Texaco ceased producing it.
That's when I latched on to my "stash".

Well, another company, Great Lakes Oil Company in Indiana has begun producing this quench oil in the exact same recipe as the old Texaco "A". I've spoken with them personally to confirm this.

I have, as yet, to try any myself, but I certainly do intend to get a five and see what happens.
It's about 1/2 the price of the Parks oils, and apparently MUCH! easier to get.

Try:  http://www.greatlakesoil.com/manufacturerDetail.php?mfg_id=105

And click on "quench oil".

It's about 55 bucks for 5 gallons.

[DANA HOLMAN]

Karl, thanks for the info. That helps alot. Question, do you ever change your oil out after so many quenchs or just add to your tank as needed
Dana

[kbaknife]

Originally posted by DANA HOLMAN:
Karl, thanks for the info. That helps alot. Question, do you ever change your oil out after so many quenches or just add to your tank as needed
Dana

I don't remember if I have EVER added any to either of my quench tanks since I filled them.
I filled the Parks #50 about 4 years ago and the Texaco "A" maybe 6-7 years ago when I built my first large tank. I take that back - I might have added a little to the "A" one time.
They're 5 gallon tanks.
And for a reason.
When you quench a hot piece of steel into a small quantity of oil, that oil gets supper heated, vaporizes, often catches on fire, which burns it up, spills out of small containers, etc., etc.
So it quickly deteriorates and disappears.
(Not to mention that small quantities of oil extract heat poorly and leave us with 1/2 done blades!)
When you quench into a LARGE volume of oil, in a  large tank, about all that happens is that it cools your steel - like we want.
Often, when we try to cut corners, it becomes the least efficient and most costly way to go.
So my expense on oil was a one time thing and I see no immediate reason to change what's there.
Just do it and be done with it.
Get a tank or build a tank and fill it up!!
Done deal.

[DANA HOLMAN]

Thanks Karl

[Ragnarok Forge]

Great info.  I will be looking to some soon.

[J Reeves]

Karl just so I am clear on ordering.
 Quench A is what we need to order from them?

[kbaknife]

Originally posted by J Reeves:
Karl just so I am clear on ordering.
 Quench A is what we need to order from them?

For the deep hardening steels like 52100, 5160, L6 and O1 - yes.

[madness522]

I will be getting some of this so I can finish a few O1 blades and begin learning about 5160.

[J Reeves]

Thanks Karl I will be ordering some now..

[Ragnarok Forge]

I just spoke with them to see if they have a local supplier in my area.  They only sell direct.  My bucket should be shipping tomorrow.  Very friendly with good customer service

[J Reeves]

Just got mine in the mail yesterday. shipping and all was 103.15.  I was suprized on how clear and thin the oil looks, if I remember right Brownels was darker and a lot thicker hmm. Will do some testing and see what I come up with.