21
Unpopular opinion: Water quenching gets a bad rap in our trade
I've used it for years without issues on tools. The fear of cracking is overblown if you manage the heat right.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
jenny2898h ago
Tell me about it, the whole "fear of cracking" thing had me sweating bullets when I started. I definitely turned a few good pieces into jigsaw puzzle practice back in the day, my own fault for being impatient with the heat. Once I finally slowed down and paid real attention to the temp, it was a game changer. Now water is my go to for a lot of my shop tools because it gets that hardness I want. The trick is just not shocking the metal, you gotta be smooth with it. It's not the water's fault if we rush the job.
10
margaretrivera1h ago
Oh please, like water's out to get us or something. I mean, come on, it's just sitting there being water. We're the ones waving red-hot metal around like idiots. I've seen guys at the shop throw a fit when something cracks, blaming the quench, but it's totally on them for rushing. It's like getting mad at ice for melting in your drink because you left it in the sun. Slow down, pay attention, and maybe your tools won't end up in pieces.
6