Case hardening ...

Arfa Daily · 2010-06-19T16:47:09+00:00

Many years ago, my brother in law, who was a mechanical engineer / toolmaker, gave me a bag of 'case hardening powder', which I still have. Does anyone know what exactly this stuff is (it's white, and if the police got hold of it, I'd probably be locked up whilst they determined just what it was ...) and how to use it ? I got to thinking about it today, when I was stoning the edge on a chisel ready for use tomorrow on a job. It occurred to me that once the original factory edge has gone from a wood chisel or plane blade or whatever, and you've resharpened it, it never seems to last as long again as it originally did. Is this because they harden the edge when it's made ? Is it appropriate, or even possible with home DIY facilities, to harden the edge once it's been restored ?Arfa

Jun 19, 2010 21 Replies

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John 16 years ago

I was going to say that. When I did my engineering apprenticeship in the late 70's, ( proper 5 year apprenticeship not like these 4 week NVQ's or whatever they do today ), we used a Cyanide powder solution to case harden the scrapers etc. we made.

John

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Arfa Daily 16 years ago

It's gone back in the drawer for another 20 years .... !! :-)

Arfa

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