Loading…
10
TIL why checking oil temp before a quench matters
I was finishing up a small hunting knife in my garage forge last Saturday. Got the blade to a nice cherry red, then dipped it straight into my quench tank. Heard a sharp ping and saw a crack right down the middle. Felt pretty dumb, since I'd just topped up the oil and didn't think to warm it first on a cold day. That ruined piece of steel made me see how it's like my accounting tasks. If I don't double-check my figures before finishing a client file, mistakes happen. Now I make sure to heat my oil to just warm before any quench. Have you ever had a similar wake-up call from a basic step you skipped?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
kevin_lee757mo ago
Lol that sharp ping sound is the worst, isn't it? I had a similar "oh crap" moment wiring a three-way switch once. I was sure I had it right, flipped the breaker, and just got a sad little pop from the fixture. Forgot to check one simple connection. We all pay the stupid tax sometimes.
6
the_james7mo ago
Wow, your story hits close to home! Last summer I was sharpening a chisel and didn't bother to hone the edge after grinding. Ended up with a ragged cut that ruined a piece of walnut. Now I never skip the stropping stage, even if I'm in a hurry. That extra minute saves so much frustration later on. Basic steps really are the key to good work!
1