spring steel breast plate

[CT03]

Just curious... how would one go about heat treating something as big as a breast/backplate?

Most forges that can get up to the necessary temps are not big enough... would you use something like a kiln? But you would have to be about insane to open a kiln up mid cycle to pull it out and drop it in an oil bath which would cause a massive flair up due to the size and displacement...

[Swamp Stick]

Actually that is exactly what you would do. This is why most people send things off to the commercial heat treater who has the equipment and experience.

Bjorn

[Marco-borromei]

Open coal/charcoal forge built to the size needed, possibly with a kaowool blanket to place over the piece for efficiency. Scale up in size as necessary.

[CT03]

interesting... thank you

[Thomas Powers]

If it's used as a heat treat furnace it's not "mid cycle"; it's end of cycle!

Thomas

[Jeffrey Hedgecock]

Electric ceramics kilns work quite well, and have a decent interior space. I can't do the largest cuirasses with mine, but I can do nearly all pieces necessary.They're pretty affordable used too. I like top loaders, easier to hook the part and lift then over to the quench. Yeah it's hot, but sending stuff out isn't my cup of tea. I can't face trusting anyone else to heat treat my stuff. If somebody's gonna screw it up, I'd rather it be me.

Having worked with coal and propane forges plenty, I can't imagine using a coal/charcoal or propane kiln. Coal seems super messy and propane seems really dangerous and noisy. But hey, that's just my take on it.